(no subject)
I feel like ranting about something completely inane, and the only topic which I know I can discuss at length is... musical theater!
Sweeney Tood by Stephen Sondheim
This is, in my opinion, the perfect musical. The plot, score, and lyrics are all outstanding. It is remarkable to me that Sondheim was able to flush out a penny dreadful ("The String of Pearls") into such a beautiful, tragic story. His greatest accomplishment in this piece is humanizing what was once an uninspired, one-dimensional villain. Hugo Wheeler is to be commended for the best libretto I've ever read: there isn't a single weak rhyme or awkward line in the entire operetta.
Favorite Sweeney: Len Cariou
This man IS my Sweeney. He has the voice of an angel. Oh George Hearn, you could never measure up. Props to Johnny Depp for an admirable portrayal.
Favorite Lovett: Helena Bonham Carter
Very different from the Lovett we're accustomed to, but I much prefer Carter's take on the character. There is something very feminine and vulnerable about her that was lacking in Lansbury's performance.
Favorite Songs: The Ballad of Sweeney Todd, Epiphany, God, That's Good!, Johanna (Act II)
Plot: 8/10
Score: 10/10
Libretto: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
The Phantom of the Opera
I don't care if it's campy, I adore this musical. Although the book is superior in every way, Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation is thoroughly enjoyable and at times, somewhat chilling. I've seen it on stage... four times now? Oh! An aside: I can't stand Michael Crawford. I am well aware that this is blasphemy, but I just despise his voice.
Favorite Erik: Gerard Butler... if he could sing. Oh Gerard. I enjoyed his acting, though.
Favorite Christine: Emmy Rossum (Guh. She was so beautiful and fragile and fantastic in this role.)
Favorite Songs: The Phantom of the Opera, Why So Silent, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
Plot: 8/10
Score: 8/10
Libretto: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
Jekyll & Hyde
I'm addicted to the version with Anthony Warlow. The OBC recording is mediocre at best. I love this musical in spite of itself; it plays like a typical Victorian melodrama. Hyde is just charismatic enough for us to forget Jekyll's whining and sanctimonious speeches about how only he holds the key to saving humanity. Asshat.
Favorite Jekyll/Hyde: Anthony Warlow
Favorite Songs: Facade; Alive; Murder, Murder!; Dangerous Game
Plot: 6/10
Score: 8/10
Libretto: 7/10
Overall: 7/10
Wicked
Hm... I'm torn on this one. I enjoyed seeing it in Chicago and the soundtrack is of course very catchy, but the whole musical is such inane fluff (a la Disney) that I can't claim it as a personal favorite. The plot is so dreadfully contrived, and the songs really do very little to move the story along. The book was completely different; I kind of hate what they did to make it palatable.
Plot: 5/10
Score: 7/10
Libretto: 7/10
Overall: 6.3/10
Chicago
So much love for this musical. The movie was fantastic; I can only imagine how good it must be live. Too lazy to do the summary deal, so...
Plot: 9/10
Score: 8.5/10
Libretto: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Favorite Songs: All That Jazz, Roxie, Class, Nowadays
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Pure fluffy, melodramatic fun. A good old period piece. Also highly recommended (but unrelated) is the A & E mini-series with Richard E. Grant. Unf.
Plot: 8/10
Score: 8.5/10
Libretto: 7/10
Overall: 7.8/10
Favorite Songs: Madame Guillotine, Falcon in the Dive, Where's the Girl?, The Riddle
Other musicals I enjoy: Spring Awakening, Rent, Phantom (lesser-known but in my opinion, just as good as ALW's version)
I'm sure there's more I just can't think of right now. Damn it, I'm too tired to give my "Len Cariou >>>>>>>>>>>> George Hearn and everyone ever" rant, so...
Good night. :D
Sweeney Tood by Stephen Sondheim
This is, in my opinion, the perfect musical. The plot, score, and lyrics are all outstanding. It is remarkable to me that Sondheim was able to flush out a penny dreadful ("The String of Pearls") into such a beautiful, tragic story. His greatest accomplishment in this piece is humanizing what was once an uninspired, one-dimensional villain. Hugo Wheeler is to be commended for the best libretto I've ever read: there isn't a single weak rhyme or awkward line in the entire operetta.
Favorite Sweeney: Len Cariou
This man IS my Sweeney. He has the voice of an angel. Oh George Hearn, you could never measure up. Props to Johnny Depp for an admirable portrayal.
Favorite Lovett: Helena Bonham Carter
Very different from the Lovett we're accustomed to, but I much prefer Carter's take on the character. There is something very feminine and vulnerable about her that was lacking in Lansbury's performance.
Favorite Songs: The Ballad of Sweeney Todd, Epiphany, God, That's Good!, Johanna (Act II)
Plot: 8/10
Score: 10/10
Libretto: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
The Phantom of the Opera
I don't care if it's campy, I adore this musical. Although the book is superior in every way, Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation is thoroughly enjoyable and at times, somewhat chilling. I've seen it on stage... four times now? Oh! An aside: I can't stand Michael Crawford. I am well aware that this is blasphemy, but I just despise his voice.
Favorite Erik: Gerard Butler... if he could sing. Oh Gerard. I enjoyed his acting, though.
Favorite Christine: Emmy Rossum (Guh. She was so beautiful and fragile and fantastic in this role.)
Favorite Songs: The Phantom of the Opera, Why So Silent, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
Plot: 8/10
Score: 8/10
Libretto: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
Jekyll & Hyde
I'm addicted to the version with Anthony Warlow. The OBC recording is mediocre at best. I love this musical in spite of itself; it plays like a typical Victorian melodrama. Hyde is just charismatic enough for us to forget Jekyll's whining and sanctimonious speeches about how only he holds the key to saving humanity. Asshat.
Favorite Jekyll/Hyde: Anthony Warlow
Favorite Songs: Facade; Alive; Murder, Murder!; Dangerous Game
Plot: 6/10
Score: 8/10
Libretto: 7/10
Overall: 7/10
Wicked
Hm... I'm torn on this one. I enjoyed seeing it in Chicago and the soundtrack is of course very catchy, but the whole musical is such inane fluff (a la Disney) that I can't claim it as a personal favorite. The plot is so dreadfully contrived, and the songs really do very little to move the story along. The book was completely different; I kind of hate what they did to make it palatable.
Plot: 5/10
Score: 7/10
Libretto: 7/10
Overall: 6.3/10
Chicago
So much love for this musical. The movie was fantastic; I can only imagine how good it must be live. Too lazy to do the summary deal, so...
Plot: 9/10
Score: 8.5/10
Libretto: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10
Favorite Songs: All That Jazz, Roxie, Class, Nowadays
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Pure fluffy, melodramatic fun. A good old period piece. Also highly recommended (but unrelated) is the A & E mini-series with Richard E. Grant. Unf.
Plot: 8/10
Score: 8.5/10
Libretto: 7/10
Overall: 7.8/10
Favorite Songs: Madame Guillotine, Falcon in the Dive, Where's the Girl?, The Riddle
Other musicals I enjoy: Spring Awakening, Rent, Phantom (lesser-known but in my opinion, just as good as ALW's version)
I'm sure there's more I just can't think of right now. Damn it, I'm too tired to give my "Len Cariou >>>>>>>>>>>> George Hearn and everyone ever" rant, so...
Good night. :D