I must admit that I'm reevaluating certain shows based on their CD releases or TV presentations. First off, the recent PBS broadcast of The Light in the Piazza made me much more of a fan of the show. I'm not sure whether it's because of the new cast members or because I knew what to expect this time around, but I found myself far more moved than when I saw the show live. Victoria Clark was fabulous, as she was in person. But somehow replacement cast members Aaron Lazar as Fabrizio and Katie Clarke as Clara had me more involved in their love affair. I was particularly moved by "Love to Me" and "Say it Somehow." Their fumbling attempts at passion were intense and credible.
I also am having second thoughts about The Drowsy Chaperone based on listening to the CD. I still think it's a very entertaining show. But now that I've listened to the CD a few times, the score just isn't holding up. Granted, the idea was to create a parody of scores from shows in the 1920s, and as such the music and lyrics are deliberately lame. But The Boy Friend did the same thing to somewhat more entertaining effect. As much as I enjoyed myself seeing the show live, somehow the creators haven't transplanted that joy onto the CD.
I also must sheepishly admit that I'm really having fun listening to The Wedding Singer. The score and orchestrations are seeming far more tuneful and smart upon repeated listenings. The music is exceedingly catchy, there are some really clever lyrics, and the orchestrations are a spot-on parody of music from the 80s. I'm also noticing connections that I somehow didn't in the theater. For example, "A Note from Linda" and "A Note from Grandma" have the same melody but different lyrics, which is known as a contrafactum. It seems so obvious upon reflection, but somehow I didn't catch that when I saw the show. The score has some truly dreadful moments, such as "Move That Thang." But on the whole, I think this is going to be a disc I throw into my car CD player with some regularity.
Hey, it's a theater queen's prerogative to change her mind.
Hey Chris!
I loved "Light" as well! Saw it on closing weekend, and I even arranged to get Aaron Lazar a copy of the Live From Lincoln Center production of the show. I almost fell over when he put my name and phone number into his blackberry. Oh, Fabrizio!
Loved Sweeney and History Boys as well!
Very cool website, Mr. Cagg!
Your original homey,
Bill
Posted by: Bill Pimentel | July 22, 2006 at 11:09 PM