Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
#1Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 11:29am
I was wondering this today. Tried to Google it to no results.
I'm talking financial success........... I would think "Night Music" but, I'm really not sure.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
#2Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 11:34am
It probably has to be Into The Woods because of licensing, decent original + revival run on Broadway, and a major Disney movie. Sort of difficult to tell though.
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MarkBearSF
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/11
#3Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 11:55am
It's definitely Into the Woods. If you include shows for which he only wrote lyrics, perhaps Gypsy.
Next in line would probably be Sweeney or Night Music.
Not getting into the hit/flop discussion, I DO think when talking of the "success"of a longstanding show, one needs to consider the number of productions rather than pure economics (although they are obviously directly related)
Updated On: 11/24/16 at 11:55 AM
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#5Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 12:06pm
sorry, let me be more specific. Only shows where Sondheim wrote both lyrics and music.
You're probably correct with Into the Woods, Valentina.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
#6Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 12:09pm
Forum's been around the longest and a staple with regional and amateur theatres.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#7Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 12:25pm
For music and lyrics, I would say Into the Woods.
For lyrics only, it is without a doubt West Side Story.
green waver
Stand-by Joined: 11/3/16
#8Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 12:33pm
As I was saying, West Side Story by far of his lyrics-only shows' but that's not really the criterion. Of his total score shows, I'd vote for Sweeny Todd by a whisker over Company, although Funny Thing is his most frequently produced show. More than happy to debate & discuss this.
sabrelady
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#9Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 6:15pm
My search found this:
https://books.google.ca/books?id=a4XmCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA211&lpg=PA211&dq=what+is+the+most+frequently+produced+Sondheim&source=bl&ots=--GjmNFMQc&sig=I2gzNUgaxz2Q9Icx7F9YQodTyzc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-z_KSwcLQAhUk2IMKHbNeB7UQ6AEIOjAG#v=onepage&q=what%20is%20the%20most%20frequently%20produced%20Sondheim&f=false
Implying A Little Night Music may be the most successful, by virtue of it's small cast and limited settings.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#10Which Sondheim musical is the most successful?
Posted: 11/24/16 at 6:58pm
green waver said: "As I was saying, West Side Story by far of his lyrics-only shows' but that's not really the criterion. Of his total score shows, I'd vote for Sweeny Todd by a whisker over Company, although Funny Thing is his most frequently produced show. More than happy to debate & discuss this."
As you were saying, when you posted your answer not here but in its own thread? https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1097594&dt=4
green waver
Stand-by Joined: 11/3/16
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