What is Stephen Schwartz's best show...?- Page 2

[twinbelters]

Posted: 11/19/10 at 4:25pm

Pippin by far, but The Baker's Wife is his best score even if many of the villagers' songs do not compare to the material for the core characters.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 11/19/10 at 4:45pm

I was lucky many a moon ago to be in THE BAKER'S WIFE. It remains one of my favorite theatrical experiences ever, and the score (yes...even the townspeople's stuff) shimmers. It's just stunning.

Actually...in about a 2 year period I was in productions of GODSPELL, PIPPIN and THE BAKER'S WIFE. I just realized that. Yeah...BAKER'S WIFE wins for me.

[DCS]

Posted: 11/19/10 at 8:02pm

The only Schwartz show I like isn't even on your list....RAGS

[garyl]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 12:21pm

Rags..because he didn't write the music

[mallardo]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 1:11pm

Wicked by far - Pippin a distant (and dated) second. The Baker's Wife just doesn't work.

[garyl]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 1:28pm

Wicked?..Wicked?...does Wicked have a score?..He couldn't even get a Tony for this one

[mallardo]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 1:47pm

"does Wicked have a score?..He couldn't even get a Tony for this one"

This is how you judge a score - whether or not it won a Tony? It's too stupid.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 2:11pm

I think newintown (I think that's who said it) hit the nail on the head. He is very good a ballads and power ballads. Wicked being a prime example. I think his best overall pieces are Wicked and Pippin. Godspell annoys me beyond belief ("Turn Back, O Man" being the exception) and aside from "Meadowlark" I'm very meh towards Baker's Wife.

Also, I'd go ahead and call "Working" a Schwartz show. He was the imputes behind it, his opening number is very good and "It's an Art" is terrific. It's downfall is the best songs were not written by him (Micki Grant, Craig Carnelia and James Taylor get that credit)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 5:00pm

Pippin
Pippin
Pippin
Godspell
Pippin

I really like Pippin.

[Pippin]

Posted: 11/20/10 at 5:56pm

Why, Pippin of course.

[mallardo]

Posted: 11/21/10 at 4:31am

Have any of you guys actually SEEN Pippin lately?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/21/10 at 5:10am

Why, yes, yes I have. Would you like to state, again, that you think its dated? Even if it is, why cant it STILL be the choice of some that they think it's Schwartz's best show?

[mallardo]

Posted: 11/21/10 at 5:39am

Okay, dramamama, you're right. Chacun a son gout.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 11/21/10 at 2:57pm

The London production of The Baker's Wife was lovely. I'm very fond of that show. Pippin has its moments but also a very saggy stretch in the second act.

Children of Eden- so many memories of the first production, but another patchy show.

I love the lyrics to Blame it on the Summer Night from 'Rags'- that's Schwartz at his best, I feel.

[Alivis]

Posted: 11/21/10 at 3:13pm

PIPPIN is a classic as far as score goes. Every song is wonderful and what can top Bob Fosse's innovative staging?
I saw the original Bway production several times and wish it would be revived.

The Papermill Playhouse did a production a few years ago which (in my opinion) was TERRIBLE. All of Bob Fosse's staging was gone and the actor playing the Lead Player paled in comparison to Ben Vereen.

Godspell's score is also a favorite of mine. Absolutely beautiful!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/21/10 at 5:38pm

Alivis: it IS being revived. It's being workshopped by Diane Paulus (Hair, A.R.T) and will have a pre bway try out here in Boston.

I think its tentatively looking to the 2011-12 season (but I am horrid about remembering those kind of details.)

The article came out about a week ago.

[dented146]

Posted: 11/21/10 at 7:07pm

I think that CD sales of well over two million would indicate that Wicked has a score.