Top five and top ten lists are a cliche and usually arbitrary and subject to whim, but they're fun to do anyway. List your top five favorite Sondheim shows in order of preference, from 1 to 5 or 5 to 1, whichever you'd like. Yeah, I know that your choices might change the next time you see a show or listen to an album (or even if your mood changes), but list what they are right now. You can always post another list later. ;)
1. Sweeney Todd - At the end of the first act of the 2002 Kennedy Center production, I felt like I was floating five inches above my seat. The most thrilling moment I've had in the theater, at least since I was an impressionable 10-year-old.
2. Company - The show (or score) that introduced me to Sondheim when I was 25. Having my girlfriend play the OCR for me was magical. It was like nothing I'd heard before in my life. There were chills running down my spine from the first notes on.
3. A Little Night Music - The intricacy and humor of the lyrics in this show are so spectacular that I find it hard to believe that a mere human being could have written them. Maybe that's why people like to say, "Sondheim is God!"
4. Sunday in the Park with George - Though I didn't fully get it until I saw it on stage, the song "Finishing the Hat" on the album felt like it was talking directly to me -- or like I was saying those words to myself.
5. Follies - Another show I didn't fully get until I saw it staged. I already loved a lot of the songs, but actually seeing the Loveland sequence made all the difference. It's a thrilling moment in a thrilling show.
I can't do this. It's too impossible for me. :)
Quote from: Bobster on Jun 21, 2017, 08:45 PMI can't do this. It's too impossible for me. :)
Well, we know what #1 is for you ...
Today, it's ...
1. Sweeney Todd
2. Into The Woods
3. Assassins
4. Sunday...
5. Company
Ask me again tomorrow... 🙄
An impossible task, but I'll give it a go ...
1. Sweeney
2. Merrily We Roll Along
3. Sunday in the Park
4. Pacific Overtures
5. A Little Night Music/Follies (so that Bobster doesn't drop any china)
Limiting this list just to the ones I've seen, which is why Follies isn't included (Sorry, Robert! You need to come to this area and produce it.)
1. Sunday in the Park with George
2. Sweeney Todd
3. A Little Night Music
4. Assassins
5. Compawoods (I don't care that that's cheating)
1. Sunday in the Park with George -- This used to be lower on my list, but when I got the chance to play George a couple of years ago it skyrocketed up to the top. When I was younger, I just didn't understand Act 2. Now it makes total sense, and I prefer it to Act 1. It was also during this production that I learned that we were having our first baby... sooooo the whole thing is a little sentimental.
2. A Little Night Music -- I just adore the lush waltzes. I've yet to see a fully staged production. Actually, this is the only major Sondheim work I haven't seen a production of...
3. Company -- Got me through a strange period in my early twenties when everyone in my social group started marrying each other [way too young] and I was just trying to find someone to have coffee with...
4. Merrily We Roll Along -- This has been creeping up the list for me in the past couple of years as my wife and I went through a rather traumatic separating of ourselves from a very toxic and dangerous situation, and we've lost (or left, rather) all of those 'old friends' we once relied on.
5. The Frogs -- Yep. I saw a production of this back in 2014 and it's been on my mind since.
For me, it's (in alphabetical order):
Follies - I'm not knowledgeable about the different books, cut/added songs, etc., but the productions of this show that I've seen have been emotional roller coasters about marriage, past, and lost dreams. I love the different music styles, woven effortlessly through the show. When a good production really works, you leave wondering why people say it's so difficult to produce; none of the strings show.
Into the Woods - For the kid in me, who always loved fairy tale stories, books, records, movies, etc. I love the interweaving of stories, the lessons about the cost of wishing, and of course the gorgeous score.
A Little Night Music - Lush and sophisticated, about people waltzing (literally) among each other through relationships and fulfillment. The wordplay of the lyrics in every song are among SJS's greatest, the melodies "hummable" and lovely.
Sunday in the Park with George - I still find this show enigmatic. More than just a story of an artist's life while creating his most famous work, and its ramifications through his family's history, it says things about the creative process and the need, very Red Shoes-ian, to create, many of which I've still yet to discover. It's also the most musically oblique of those on my list.
Sweeney Todd - A mastery of plot, character, music, lyrics, and thrills. About people you actually do come to care about, despite their cartoonish extremes. I remember being truly shocked when Sweeney kills Mrs. Lovett.
Tricky! Not sure I can rank them, but these are probably on the list ...
Into the Woods: not the first show I got to know (ALNM has that honour) but the first Sondheim I loved. It still moves me deeply.
Sunday in the Park with George
Assassins
Pacific Overtures
Passion
No idea how I don't get Follies, Company, Sweeney, or ALNM on there but there we go!
I will ease myself into this new yet familiar message board with the comfort of adding to this thread. I'm tempted to do 'In no particular order' because that's far less difficult than putting them in order but for today I'm gonna go with:
1 - Sunday in the Park with George - well ok, this won't change, it'll stay at number one since it's my favourite show of them all, bar none.
2 - Company
3 - Merrily we roll along - I had to juggle these for second and third, and I'm still not sure they're the right order
4 - Follies
5 - Into the woods
I'm somewhat surprised myself to see that Sweeney didn't make the list. I remember channel surfing (between the three channels that were available in the not-quite-rural-but-definitely-not-big-city small town I grew up in in the mid 80s), finding the TV recording of it and having my mind absolutely blown by what I was hearing and seeing. For the longest time after that I proclaimed the virtues of Sweeney far and wide but to little interest. Of course, it's well known and quite mainstream now, which makes me feel vindicated. People talk to me about how great Sweeney is and I'm all "Oh that's SO when I was a teenager, are you still listening to Duran Duran too?" :D
And now it's not even top five. Strange days indeed.
Quote from: George on Jun 23, 2017, 09:28 AMSunday in the Park with George - I still find this show enigmatic. More than just a story of an artist's life while creating his most famous work, and its ramifications through his family's history, it says things about the creative process and the need, very Red Shoes-ian, to create, many of which I've still yet to discover. It's also the most musically oblique of those on my list.
I like this description - it's well put but also captures whatever it is about the appeal of this show that's so hard to express. This is my favourite show ever - not just show but for me the music and the songs lift it out of the realm of being a theatre piece and give it a life outside it: Sondheim is often criticised for not writing standalone songs that don't exist outside their theatrical context, and yet when I first heard the songs from 'Sunday', they made perfect sense to me: how could anyone NOT know what 'Finishing the hat' was saying? I'd nearly go as far as saying that the whole plot is a McGuffin for the songs. Nearly.
Quote from: Meldince on Jun 24, 2017, 02:22 AMhow could anyone NOT know what 'Finishing the hat' was saying? I'd nearly go as far as saying that the whole plot is a McGuffin for the songs. Nearly.
I actually kind of agree. Not that the
mise en scene, as they say in
le cinéma, isn't stunning, especially the formation of the painting at the end of the first act, but it's not quite as great as that one song, which is what hooked me on the recording the first time I heard it. Like you say, how could anyone not recognize what that song was saying? And it says it brilliantly.
Quote from: George on Jun 23, 2017, 09:28 AMI remember being truly shocked when Sweeney kills Mrs. Lovett.
SPOILER ALERT
Well that's Sweeney ruined for me - thanks
@George :))
Quote from: nulipp on Jun 22, 2017, 03:38 PM5. A Little Night Music/Follies (so that Bobster doesn't drop any china)
O:-)
I have for a long time categorized my favorite Sondheims, mainly because if anyone asked I could never say just one or list them in any order. So, sorry to buck this trend, but here are my categories:
Favorite score: Passion
Favorite overall show: Sunday
Perfection: Night Music
The Masterpiece: Sweeney Todd
I like your list but have to add GYPSY to it. It is a great musical with superb lyrics and a great story. Have seen it 5 times with a variety of Roses (Merman x2, Landsbury, Preters, and Ann Southern,lus the movie and Bette Midler's TV production. Each were different. But the show is super.
I think that Night Music is a diamond. Have seen it several times. The NYCOpera production with Jeremy Irons as Frederic was interesting in that he dominated the show and I do not know who played Desiree. Saw Johns, Zeta Jones and Peters in NYC. Elaine Stritch did the definitive Liasons.
Sweeny Todd is in a class by itself. In many ways the best musical ever written.
Follies and Sunday in the Park with George have some of the best music he has written.
What about songs?
I think that Sunday is one of the most beautiful songs. Joannah is hauntingly beautiful. Follies has really wonderful songs.
I could go on for pages but I'll stop here.
Frank J. Lumia, MD
Quote from: fjlumia on Jul 18, 2017, 02:51 PMFollies and Sunday in the Park with George have some of the best music he has written.
What about songs?
I think that Sunday is one of the most beautiful songs. Joannah is hauntingly beautiful. Follies has really wonderful songs.
I could go on for pages but I'll stop here.
Frank J. Lumia, MD
Gosh
@fjlumia I am rather envious of the great performers you have seen.
I absolutely agree re Sunday, Joanna and Follies. I also agree re the greatness of Gypsy.
Quote from: fjlumia on Jul 18, 2017, 02:51 PMI like your list but have to add GYPSY to it. It is a great musical with superb lyrics and a great story. Have seen it 5 times with a variety of Roses (Merman x2, Landsbury, Preters, and Ann Southern,lus the movie and Bette Midler's TV production. Each were different. But the show is super.
You and I seem to be among the few people who saw Ann Sothern do Gypsy. I recall her as being sort of bored and listless, but maybe she had the flu the night I went. When did you catch Merman in the show?
Chris:
I saw Merman in NYC from row ! center. So "How do you like those egg rolls, Mr. Goldstone was said to me! Then saw her again from the second balcony of Chicago's Shubert Theater.
Quote from: fjlumia on Jul 19, 2017, 01:26 PMChris:
I saw Merman in NYC from row ! center. So "How do you like those egg rolls, Mr. Goldstone was said to me! Then saw her again from the second balcony of Chicago's Shubert Theater.
You were very lucky!
By the way, have you posted over in the "Introduce Yourself" thread? Sounds like you've had a fascinating life watching musical theater that probably goes back further than mine. (My mother started taking me to musicals in 1960.) I'd love learn more.
I'm nor sure where the "introduce yourself" page is. I have been going to NYC to the theater since 1953. My first play was Teahouse of the August Moon with David Wayne. My first musical was at the St. John Tyrell Music Circus in Lambertville and was Roberta which made Smoke gets in your eyes a favorite song for years.
We still go to NYC but tickets are very expensive. We also have season tickets to 2 local professional theaters: McCarter in Princeton and George St. in New Brunswick. Most recent musicals I've seen include Something Rotten, Hamilton, and War Paint
I wanted to comment on songs from less popular shows which are probably very well known by people on this forum. Merrily We Roll Along I finally saw at the movies. It was the London production of a recent revival. Old Friends and Not a Day goes by are 2 good songs, frequently included in albums and concerts. From Anyone Can Whistle the title song and There will be Trumpets are in the same class
I frequently wish I lived in NYC and could just walk down Broadway to get tickets any time. Suburban living requires planning ahead. I have seen some wonderful straight plays too. The revival of A Delicate Balance with Rosemary Harris and Elaine Stritch was definitive. Paul Muni and Ed Begley in Inherit the Wind were wonderful. Royal Hunt of the Sun was very interesting and well done. So many more I can't list them all.
@fjlumia - The Introduce Yourself thread is at this link. (http://sondheimforum.com/index.php?topic=28.0) Feel free to repost about yourself over there, though I'll forgive you if you don't. ;)
I know that working with Richard Rodgers was difficult but I have to say a little about Do I Hear a Waltz? I saw it in NYC. It was not great but it was entertaining. There are a couple of Sondheim touches that I remember. The song about flying and a song sung by the 3 women standing in their windows looking at the moon over the canal. Each woman has a different viewpoint well said, typical Sondheim.
I also have to mention Carol Bruce who played the owner of the pensione. She ends up seducing the juvenile (Stuart Damon). The lady was one of the sexiest women I have ever seen. She was in her 50's, moved like a cat, was always fully clothed and when she took the younger man with her into a gondola, there wasn't a man in the audience who would not have gone with her! That was over 40 years ago (1965?) and I remember her well.
I wish we had footage of Ms Bruce to see her sensuality. Heck I wish we had a video of the show! I'm glad we have the footage we have!
Merrily We Roll Along -- This has been creeping up the list for me in the past couple of years as my wife and I went through a rather traumatic separating of ourselves from a very toxic and dangerous situation, and we've lost (or left, rather) all of those 'old friends' we once relied on.
I have to agree with this. I :did not see the show because a good friend hated it. Wish I had seen it. I did see the London recent production at the movies. The music is really good. I think the original was not well received because the young cast could not play the characters when older. Too bad.
Quote from: fjlumia on Sep 07, 2017, 10:06 AMMerrily We Roll Along -- This has been creeping up the list for me in the past couple of years as my wife and I went through a rather traumatic separating of ourselves from a very toxic and dangerous situation, and we've lost (or left, rather) all of those 'old friends' we once relied on.
I have to agree with this. I :did not see the show because a good friend hated it. Wish I had seen it. I did see the London recent production at the movies. The music is really good. I think the original was not well received because the young cast could not play the characters when older. Too bad.
I guess I posted twice by accident (see above).
I see that several people listed Passion.
I saw the original production. Donna Murphy was wonderful. My problem is that I never believed that Giorgio could fall in love with Fosca and that's the whole point. Maybe I'm just not a romantic.
The costumes that Mazin wore were perfect. 1870 was the transition from hoop shirts to bustles and her gowns showed the beginnings of that transition. Costumes are very important to me. War Paint had exquisite costumes. The costumer must have search through every Vogue magazine from 1935 to 1975.
I agree; I can never look stylish but do love great costumes. Passion and War Paint were truly wonderful.
PS I got an "inside scoop" ;) about the WP costumes: as gorgeous as they were, they weren't practical for changing during a performance.
Hi everyone. I'm new here. This discussion board has been closed to new members for a long time, but I just tried again on a lark yesterday and voila, here I am. I know this thread is pretty old, but here you go:
1. Sweeny Todd
2. Merrily We Roll Along
3. A Little Night Music
4. Company
5. Into the Woods
I do love Assassins too - I guess that would be number 6. Sunday in the Park... would be 7. Although I love some of the songs from Follies, I found it to be "a show about nothing", and I was disappointed.
Hi,
@Amy! We haven't been closed to members. You may be thinking of sondheim.com, which closed to new members years ago, then shut down completely three or four years ago. We opened to provide a home for the original members and new ones, like yourself, who want to apply. I hope you keep posting. Feel free to start some new discussions or join old ones. Good to see you!
I saw the original production of Pacific Overtures and was amazed. Using Kabuki for the production was wonderful and struck a chord in me. I think this show is under rated. Saw the Roundabout revival several years later and it could not compare with the original production. Some of the music is beautiful and some quite funny. I know that the MASTER referred to the Chrysanthemum Tea number as a Yiddish Mama number (or something similar) but I loved it. Someone in a Tree and Its a Bowler Hat are also fascinating numbers. Also the Kabuki allowed a man to play a delicate woman and later a strong Samuri warrior.
I thought I'd bump up this thread to show any incoming members that we actually do talk about Sondheim. If you're new here, or returning, feel free to contribute.
Why not!
My top five is probably something like
01. Sweeney Todd (in a solid tie with Fiddler on the Roof as my favorite musical of all time) - I'm tempted to make the claim that, my subjective feelings aside, this is SJS's ~biggest~ score, and that there's very few dips in momentum or quality in it is nothing sort of miraculous. Like, no, I don't really need all of "The Contest," and I know the man himself isn't thrilled with "Wait," but the scope, the tragedy, the everything about this one is perfect. The OBC is my preferred recording (smaller Sweeney doesn't quite do it for me as much).
02. Sunday in the Park with George - I don't revisit it quite as often as others, and I'm not entirely convinced there's a way to make the second act not feel a bit awkward or extraneous, but this score is just about flawless and Lapine's book is strong. All of the act 1 finale is perfection, but those last 30 seconds or so? "On an ordinary Sunday," and the bells are ringing and the horns are screaming and the strings are rising and dipping like the tide? That's transcendence.
03. A Little Night Music - I'm a fan of the Bergman original, but I think Sondheim and Wheeler managed to improved the source material here (not something that often happens with musicals based on movies, in my experience). The book is equal parts witty and tragic, and I want to drown in the score.
04. Pacific Overtures - I MUST see a production of this one day. "Someone in a Tree" alone is pantheon-worthy, but most of the score is magic. Thank goodness for the video recording of the original production -- it could have been an ingenious production lost to time.
05. Into the Woods - Sentiment wins the day here, as I've been in Into the Woods twice before, and while it feels cooler to say I like Follies or Assassins or Company or Passion better, I know I'm lying to myself, because I spend pretty much the entire second act weeping.
8)