Musical Madness
So, I'm reading this article on SHTM by Bricusse, and he talks about how his original intention was to "update" Baker Street for a movie MGM was planning on making, in which they wanted him to throw out the whole plot and start anew. I just purchased a recording of Baker Street, and have indeed noticed the similarities between the two plays (spoilers!):
1. Both start with an attempt on Holmes's life. In SHTM, the first scene is the struggle at Reichenbach Falls. In Baker Street, an unknown Moriarty assassin (whom we later learn is Moran) fires a shot into Holmes's flat.
2. Moran is a minor character in both plays, but is never seen. (In SHTM, an offstage Moran tries to kill Watson on a train. Holmes later disguises himself as Moran while researching rumors that Moriarty survived Reichenbach. In Baker Street, we only learn that the assassin is Moran in the scene after the attempt, when Holmes and Watson discuss Moriarty.)
3. Both plays feature a "deduction" song sung by Holmes to either his client ("It's So Simple" in BS) or Watson and Lestrade ("Look Around You" in SHTM), in which the detective explains his methods.
4. The "love/regret" songs are reprised at different points in each musical to show how a character's feelings have changed. In BS, Irene sings "Finding Words for Spring" in an attempt to get Holmes to understand the complexity of love. Later on, Holmes hears the song in his head as he searches for Moriarty and realizes that he does like Irene. In SHTM, Holmes sings "Without Him, There Can Be No Me" (later retitled "Missing Moriarty"), in which he regrets the death of his greatest opponent. Bella later sings the song, lamenting her revenge plot and her conflicting feelings towards the detective.
5. Both works feature an ensemble piece by the Irregulars. ("Leave it to Us, Guv." in BS; "Anything You Want to Know" in SHTM)
6. In both works, Moriarty's death is called into question.
7. In BS, Holmes starts out assuming Irene is a villain. In SHTM, Holmes starts out completely trusting Bella.
8. At the end of BS, Holmes leaves for America to presumably reunite with Irene. At the end of SHTM, Holmes leaves Baker Street to find Bella.
9. At the end of BS, Moriarty is revealed to have survived. At the end of SHTM, Bella is revealed to have escaped Lestrade.
10. Both plays feature "villain" pieces. Moriarty sings "I Shall Miss You" in BS; whereas Bella and Mrs. Moriarty sing "Vendetta" in SHTM.
11. Watson sings a sentimental "love" song in each work. ("A Married Man" in BS; "Her Face" in SHTM)
12. Disguises (both physical and otherwise) play central roles in both plays. Both irene and Bella use various disguises to fool Holmes, and vice versa. Holmes in particular plays on the women's emotions. In BS, Holmes pretends to be dead in order to avoid Irene. In SHTM, Holmes pretends to be Moriarty in order to capture Bella. Watson calls Holmes's false death "infallible and inhuman;" Bella exclaims that his Moriarty disguise was "a most cruel and callous trick!"