What people [3 and hate about Sondheim- Page 2

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 10:49am

I love him because I love some of his music (Gypsy)

Umm...Stephen Sondheim didn't write the music for Gypsy...

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 11:54am

wow a little night music is definitely one of the BEST SCORES in musical theatre history, IMO
i love him for reasons most people have already said, he is BRILLIANT beyond comprehension. Like I will listen to his music and then like weeks later be singing it and be like WAIT....THATS WHAT HE MEANT....THATS FANTASTIC

i really do think he CHANGED musical theatre 360 degrees and that his accomplishments are the biggest of any lyricist/composer in the world

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:03pm

Andrew Lloyd Webber does repeat some but not near as much as that whole show does in A Little Night Music.

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:05pm

Sondheim is one who I can't imagine singing for fun. His songs for the most part arn't that catchy like the pop tunes of a lot of shows. They're almost anti melodic.

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:07pm

Most of them sound fantastic in cabaret and night club settings. But what it comes down to, his songs are more effective at helping me understand the character than any others I've heard in the theater. He does it not always in the simplest of fashion, but in the most meaningful and articulate. To me, that counts more than me wanting to sing it poorly at some karaoke night.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:12pm

Jackson992. I'm guessing the 92 stands for the year you were born? right?

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:16pm

Sondheim is great because his work is so complex--both character specific and abstract. Just think of the endless interpretations one could imagine for a song like "Who's That Woman?" or "Pretty Lady."

People dislike him because his shows aren't "fun" and can be difficult to understand on first hearing--most people don't want to study a score before they see a show...we do but we're freaks.

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:20pm

lmao the 92 sounds for the year I started using this nick.

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:23pm

Being complex is a bad thing. A show has to be fun to be enjoyable. Plus the fact that it is hard to take a song out of the context of the show and for it to make sense.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 4:27pm

Being complex is a bad thing.

- Are you SERIOUS? Tell me you are serious? wow.


Well with 7 Tonys, which will be 8 next month. He has more Tonys than any other composer. And that speaks for itself.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 5:09pm

Echoing ljay on the WTF? about complex being a bad thing. Complexity is amazing. A show that is all fun and nothing to think about is boring as all holy hades.

And as far as this: Plus the fact that it is hard to take a song out of the context of the show and for it to make sense.

There are lots of Sondheim songs you can pull out of the show and they make sense.

"No One Is Alone"
"Pretty Women"
"Broadway Baby"
"Losing My Mind"
etc., etc.

Give me a break.

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 6:09pm

i can understand why people who are just looking for a good time and a few laughs at a musical would not want complexity....

but i think that anyone who is as in love with musicals as to join a site called "broadwayworld.com" would agree that complexity is what keeps us obsessing over musicals!!!!

i seriously doubt that any composer in musical theatre history would be flattered to hear you say, "I really liked your show because it was a lot of fun. It didn't make me think and it was not complex at all. Thanks!!!" seriously.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 6:41pm

I love him because I love some of his music (Gypsy)

Umm...Stephen Sondheim didn't write the music for Gypsy...


Yes he did, lyrics

[FranzRelax]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 6:43pm

Music and lyrics are separate things.

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 12:38am

Who actually thinks when they watch a show? It's more what you feel. This is especially true about comedies. Look at shows like Spamalot. You don't want to think too much or it wouldn't be nearly as funny.

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 2:17am

But Sondheim's scores can mostly hold up to dissection and analysis. I FEEL strong emotions when listening to pivotal moments in his music and then think about them later and go deeper with it. That is why I can always keep coming back, there is always something new to think about to correlate with what you've felt.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 5:02am

But who wants to NEVER think? I guess it you like eating theatrical baby food, that's one thing. But that'll get old VERY quickly. And really...you can just watch TV at home and save the ticket money ~ just turn on the box and not think.

Give me a show that makes me think over mindless drivel any day. PLEASE!

Updated On: 5/24/08 at 05:02 AM

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 5:13am

Updated On: 5/5/09 at 05:13 AM

[Scripps2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 8:02am

Drunk Chita Riviera: let me top your glass up dear! You should post on the "Best Sondheim song - ever" thread.
Updated On: 5/24/08 at 08:02 AM

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 8:15am

Music and lyrics are separate things.


But it's still Sondheim.

[chris d]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:32am

I guess the only thing I hate about him is he set the bar so high that few others will be able to reach his level of creative genius in the theatre. :P

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 12:16pm

haha so true chris d.

[sparkleofenergy]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 1:03pm

I always say that I "don't drink the Sondheim kool-aid" and my friends say that I "hate" Sondheim. Which is not true.

I am not a fan of his music itself but I like his lyrics... beucase they are deep and meningful. I actually really like his lyrics.
His music is SO repeatitive.

Also, his fan-base sometimes bugs me and he is overrated.

When I observe theatre I'll see Sondheim but if I want to see a show to enjoy it then I'll see something else. He is too pessimstic for my taste at times.

I have this "four song curse" with Sondheim from each show there are only two songs I REALLY love (beside for Sweeney Todd... I like most of the score from that show).

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 1:12pm

"Also, his fan-base sometimes bugs me and he is overrated".

And Wicked's fanbase doesn't bother you, and you don't think Wicked is overrated?

I think Sondheim is a true mastermind. His music and lyrics both astonish me, and I am always left thinking. His shows aren't mindless fun, or pop-culture crap, they actually mean something.

Updated On: 5/24/08 at 01:12 PM

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 3:47pm

I'd rather take a pop score anyday. There are a few songs I do like that he has done most notably from Into the Woods and Passion. I hate Sweeney Todd with a passion and the film reiterated my dislike for the show. Tho I do like the number Johanna from that show.