I'm not saying "they" meaning anyone but Sondheim and Lapine... but even if it was JUST Sondheim's decision... I disagree with him.
And yes, the "sensitive, clever, etc" stuff does repeat... that's the point. We get to hear what she wants from a man/partner, in the dream of a prince and in what she sees her husband's colors to be.
It's also just a lovely piece of music, and for a show with so many plunky little pieces of songs before any lovely full "song songs" happen, I don't think cutting bits like that help. I remember not even liking the score at first because it always felt like songs stopped just as they got going. I appreciate that more now, and I adore the score... but I think there's repetition in the book that can be trimmed before the score (and I say that as someone who consider it one of the best books in musical theater). |
