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re: Show vs. movie

Posted by: LegitOnce 11:45 pm EST 12/05/13
In reply to: Show vs. movie - WaHiGuy 10:52 pm EST 12/05/13

"Something Good" is a bit problematic logistically. It's a strong dramatic stroke to have the love duet before the wedding instead of after, and of course this number is a lot better musically than "An Ordinary Couple," which to me always sounds like "Here Comes Santa Claus" in a minor key.

The issue is that this version makes Maria's change into the wedding dress very fast indeed. In fact, when the plain white dress was first revealed on Underwood, I thought for a moment she was still in her slip and they hadn't put the dress on yet!


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re: Show vs. movie

Posted by: AlanScott 12:11 am EST 12/06/13
In reply to: re: Show vs. movie - LegitOnce 11:45 pm EST 12/05/13

Well, I rather like "An Ordinary Couple." Just to clarify something: I may be misreading you, but it kind of sounds like you're saying that "An Ordinary Couple" comes after the wedding in the show as originally written. It comes before the wedding. In fact, it comes in the spot where tonight they sang "Something Good,"


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re: Show vs. movie

Posted by: LegitOnce 12:12 am EST 12/06/13
In reply to: re: Show vs. movie - AlanScott 12:11 am EST 12/06/13

Okay, I have completely forgotten this show, then. Sorry for all the confusion.


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re: Show vs. movie

Posted by: AlanScott 12:17 am EST 12/06/13
In reply to: re: Show vs. movie - LegitOnce 12:12 am EST 12/06/13

Not a problem. Just wanted to clarify.

For whatever it's worth, in the original production "An Ordinary Couple" was apparently staged rather interestingly, at least according to the notes that the R and H Org sends to companies performing the show. For "Ordinary Couple," those notes read:

"'An Ordinary Couple' presents the problem of the love affair culminating after the song, though it is understood that they will get together before it begins. Never having been romantically involved with a man before, Maria shows a bit of embarrassment and awkwardness during the song. This is eliminated at the end with a kiss. In this way we keep a dramatic tension alive during the song. While the song is in progress, have the Captain gently romance Maria until she accepts his embraces warmly."

This makes a lot of sense with the dialogue that leads into the song.


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re: Show vs. movie

Posted by: Chromolume 11:49 pm EST 12/05/13
In reply to: re: Show vs. movie - LegitOnce 11:45 pm EST 12/05/13

"Something Good" is a bit problematic logistically. It's a strong dramatic stroke to have the love duet before the wedding instead of after, and of course this number is a lot better musically than "An Ordinary Couple," which to me always sounds like "Here Comes Santa Claus" in a minor key.

Be that as it may, I just don't think this is the right moment for Maria to try to do a treatise on the difference between youth and childhood. The lyrics to the song make absolutely no sense to me in terms of how they seem to dwell on that.


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