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| re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions | |
| Posted by: BruceinIthaca 04:18 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions - Michael_Portantiere 04:11 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
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| I think describing HD's plot as thin is to misunderstand the comedic genre(s) from which it springs, as Michael points out. Wilder's "The Matchmaker," on which Dolly is based, remains a vital play with much to say, through its use of conventional farce as well as character-driven comedy, about the human condition. While HD dilutes some of Wilder's more profound exploration of romance and sociality and the need to belong and be attached, it does a pretty good job of retaining the feel of WIlder's play. I suspect Dolly, at least, will outlast any number of Sondheim's shows (though by no means all--I think Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, and Sunday in the Park, as well as Into the Woods, perhaps, will remain evergreen in their expression of human experiences). I suspect some of the shows, like Company and Follies, are actually rather time-bound, even if they are still produced frequently. I'm not sure they will be done that often in another twenty five or fifty years (assuming we still have theaters then!). We are often myopic during our own periods. And I agree, I don't think all contemporary composers are mimicking Sondheim--I think there is a difference between being aware of his contributions and building on them, and mimicking them. | |
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| re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions | |
| Posted by: tmdonahue (tmdonahue@yahoo.com) 08:06 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions - BruceinIthaca 04:18 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
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| I think often of genre but that in and of itself is not enough to make a play/a musical a BO hit. | |
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| re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions | |
| Posted by: BruceinIthaca 04:28 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions - BruceinIthaca 04:18 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
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| I'd also add that I think MAME may be revived, but perhaps not quite now--it may need more time to become a period piece, given its depiction of race and anti-semitism, etc. In that regard, it may be a little like Gilbert and Sullivan, though I doubt Ito can really be recovered as anything but a kind of stereotype. I think "La Cage aux Folles" still has "legs," as well--particularly as we face the fact that homophobia and opposition to LGBT+ rights, including marriage and families, is by no means over in the hearts and minds of many, alas. I think "Dear World," "Mack and Mabel," "Milk and Honey," and "The Grand Tour" may well be consigned to the museum, with acknowledgment that each show has at least one and some a handful of lovely and/or funny songs. A good Herman revue might be interesting. I loved "Jerry's Girls" when I saw it (the Sunday matinee before Chita got into an accident that night!), but that was in large part due to the talents of Rivera, Loudon, and Uggams (as well as the ensemble). As a stand-alone revue, it doesn't have much to recommend it, but I think a smartly built revue using Herman's music could work. Even so, if "Dolly" and "La Cage" were all he had done, he would have earned an ongoing, vital place in American musical history. (And I am one of those who imprinted on the OBC of "Mame," so, despite its book issues, I still love to hear the score, the emergence of Lansbury as a Broadway star, being introduced to Arthur and Connell, and that glorious overture!) | |
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| re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions | |
| Posted by: bmc 07:30 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions - BruceinIthaca 04:28 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
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| I think the tone of dismissal in the original post may be the reason Herman Gave his acceptance speech about the simple hummable tunes being back.. I don't believe he was consciously 'dissing' ; Mr. Sondheim. I think he just felt relieved to have a hit after people had relegated him to the dustbin.... On my own preference, I think Dolly is a wonderful show(with Mr. Champion being the key;) I love the score for Mack and Mabel, then I start to pick and choose among the Herman songs. The Sondheim/ - Laurents-(fill in the names of the other collaborators, including Mr. Prince), and you have a historic legacy. Jerry Herman has one great show, which is inseparable from the Champion staging. I saw Dolly last may and it was one of the most joyous occasion in my life, | |
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| Milk and Honey | |
| Posted by: StageDoorJohnny 12:15 am EST 12/17/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Prediction: Jerry Herman's Musicals will be Relegated to Encores Productions - bmc 07:30 pm EST 12/16/17 | |
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| I think Milk and Honey would be a perfect Encores show. Unrevivable , some very good music - - could be lots of fun | |
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| re: Milk and Honey | |
| Posted by: jmill 11:32 am EST 12/17/17 | |
| In reply to: Milk and Honey - StageDoorJohnny 12:15 am EST 12/17/17 | |
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| I saw MILK AND HONEY at the York earlier this year, as part of its Mufti series. It was wonderful. Herman's score is sophisticated, beautiful, and almost operatic. To my surprise, the book worked well and played with both dramatic strength and humor. All of that said, it's true that this show won't be revived, and I've long hoped it would be done at Encores. It will be one of the shows featured in the first Encores show of the new season, HEY LOOK ME OVER, which will feature songs and scenes from several shows that Encores has thought about presenting. I saw the touring production of the original MILK AND HONEY, with most of the Broadway cast - it was one of the first shows I saw. Prior to the Mufti mounting, I had seen MILK AND HONEY at Musicals Tonight several years ago, and that production was less effective. |
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| re: Milk and Honey | |
| Posted by: bearcat 03:42 pm EST 12/18/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Milk and Honey - jmill 11:32 am EST 12/17/17 | |
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| how about the border when the Syrians attack how about the Arab with the rifle in your back |
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| re: Milk and Honey | |
| Posted by: Zelgo 02:55 pm EST 12/18/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Milk and Honey - jmill 11:32 am EST 12/17/17 | |
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| Most of Herman's work (and, indeed, those of the other great Bway collaborators) would be more accessible if the books were re-written, en masse. The books are so corny that they become period pieces almost immediately. Fix the books and the musicals could have a recurring life. |
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