# I need a new musical to listen to **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 13, 2004, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636 "2004-08-13T02:11:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ThatGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e5b9ba/32.png) [@ThatGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThatGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/21 "2004-08-13T16:25:58Z")
Thanks for all the suggestions guys, some i know and love and some i am looking into. I have been listening to “Wicked” and loving it since it came out (which also led to me reading the wonderfull book). “Last 5 Years” may very well be my favorite show ever simply for the fact that it feels so RAW and REAL, there is no great universal tradgedy…nobody dies(yet it makes my bawl every time)…it just feel like a very real and loving relationship that has very real problem…set to music. That and the music is amazing. I had briefly listened to CHESS and strangely don’t recall finding it particularly impressive, but seeing as how it’s getting so many reccomendations and a friend of mine has a recording i will definately give it a fair chance soon. Some of the shows you guys are listing that i’ve never heard of i’m looking into on amazon and i’m considering finally making some of my friends happy and giving Sweeny Todd a go. My turn, if you havn’t already check out the London musical “Blood Brothers” for excellent music and drama. And for the comedic side look at the often insane bluegrass “Robber Bridegroom” (Barry Bostwick was the original lead). Both shows i have come to love by performing in them on a community level having no prior knowledge of them. ---
**Author:** ![solasscc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@solasscc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solasscc)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/22 "2004-08-13T16:32:52Z")
I would also recommend _Chess_, though only the original concept CD - not the American Original B’way Cast recording (that is a totally different show, in my book). For more obscure Sondheim, I recommend _Pacific Overtures_. Not often produced, but very good. And you can never go wrong with _Sweeny Todd_. Have you considered _Sweet Charity_? ---
**Author:** ![Jenny\_Haniver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/23 "2004-08-13T16:44:50Z")
First up, I second the suggestions of _Wicked_ and _Avenue Q_ – except that you will cheerily be singing “It Sucks to Be Me” for weeks afterward. Also, [the Patti LuPone/George Hearn Sweeney Todd is available on CD,](http://newyorkphilharmonic.org/buy/eStore/index.cfm?page=itemDetail&itemnum=13&itemCategorynum=cds&itemdetail=yes) but it’s more expensive than the [DVD](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000648Y0/qid=1092414575/sr=8-3/ref=pd_ka_3/002-5385950-4893625?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846), and supposedly, since it was recorded way before the concert version on DVD, it isn’t quite as good. I recommend the concert DVD, even above the [DVD of Hearn and Angela Lansbury in the touring production from 1982](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005JL6V/qid=1092414575/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-5385950-4893625?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846) – Patti is better than Angela (IMO), and the Joanna in the touring show could not suck more. But, in general, you _must_ add Todd to your collection – it’s a masterpiece. Another Sondheim show that’s a must have is [Sunday in the Park with George](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002W7F/qid%3D1092414777/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-5385950-4893625). Also, check out this [Bernadette Peters concert on DVD](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1569383448/ref=pd_art_ftr_4/002-5385950-4893625?v=glance&s=music) – almost all showtunes, and the second half is all Sondheim. Helloooooo, emotional depth and compelling characters! I also recommend [Nine](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008Z1NB/qid=1092414512/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-5385950-4893625?v=glance&s=music&n=507846). It’s a musical version of Fellini’s _8 ½_, but don’t let the seeming impossibility of that idea turning out well fool you – it’s quite good. ---
**Author:** ![Jenny\_Haniver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/24 "2004-08-13T16:48:13Z")
[Having realized the stupidity of making the link to the version of Sweeney Todd that I actually want you to buy only three letters long, allow me to remedy that with a big-ass link here.](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000648Y0/qid=1092414575/sr=8-3/ref=pd_ka_3/002-5385950-4893625?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846) ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/25 "2004-08-13T20:04:55Z")
I know I’m out of touch with the modern musical theatre scene, but I didn’t realize how much until this thread! ( ☹ for me, 🙂 for the thread) > [@DooWahDiddy](#): > > I’d suggest **The Last 5 Years** , by Jason Robert Brown I listened to the sampler on Amazon, and have added this CD to my wish list. 😃 It’s weird, but the 30 seconds I heard of _Moving Too Fast_ immediately reminded me of _Rum Tum Tugger_…in terms of both the music _and_ the guy’s voice. ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/26 "2004-08-13T21:46:53Z")
I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right, they _are_ musically similar. I promise you, though, the similarities to _Cats_ ends there. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2004, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/27 "2004-08-13T22:30:33Z")
Just in case you’re not familiar with them, there’s a reason some of the popular ones are popular, namely, they’re really really good. In particular, I suggest **West Side Story** , **Jesus Christ Superstar** and **Les Miserables** If you prefer more obscure, how about **The Fantasticks** and **Jekyll and Hyde** And I heartily endorse **Chess** , **Pippin** and **Guys and Dolls** ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/28 "2004-08-14T04:22:22Z")
I have always liked “the Act” with Liza Minelli. My roomate in college had a record of it and I played it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/29 "2004-08-14T12:51:23Z")
The absolute definitely best recording of _Chess_ is the [Danish touring cast](http://www.castalbumdb.com/rec.cfm?RNumber=3858). The original CD had only one pressing, sold very quickly, and when it was announced that there were some copywright disputes with 5 songs and they would be deleted from future pressings, the remaining copies were snatched up. If you find the original (it does NOT have the “One Night in Bangkok” mixes), buy it. The second & subsquent pressings are still a great CD of a great show. And yes, it’s in English. There is also a DVD of the Swedish cast, if you want to see how the show looks. And yes, it’s in Swedish. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/30 "2004-08-14T13:53:42Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > The absolute definitely best recording of _Chess_ is the [Danish touring cast](http://www.castalbumdb.com/rec.cfm?RNumber=3858). The original CD had only one pressing, sold very quickly, and when it was announced that there were some copywright disputes with 5 songs and they would be deleted from future pressings, the remaining copies were snatched up. If you find the original (it does NOT have the “One Night in Bangkok” mixes), buy it. ??? !!! I _think_ I have the first pressing–mine only has one version of “One Night In Bangkok”, but could you list the songs that are missing from the later pressing? (I’m assuming stuff like “Commie Newspapers”, in which case I _do_ have the first). Now you’ve got me curious! 🙂 And I’d quibble. This is a much more complete version certainly, but I don’t think it’s as well sung. Without Paige and Head it can’t quite (IMO) complete with the original concept version. I’d say “Get both!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/31 "2004-08-14T14:14:12Z")
“Commie Newspapers,” “Press Conference,” “Der Kleine Franz,” “Anatoly and the Press,” “One More Opponent,” and “Talking Chess” are the deleted songs (six, not five). Like I posted above, this is a very rare CD, so hold onto it. I go along with your assessment to buy both CDS. One has Murray Head, but the other one has Zubin Varla! ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/32 "2004-08-14T14:27:34Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > “Commie Newspapers,” “Press Conference,” “Der Kleine Franz,” “Anatoly and the Press,” “One More Opponent,” and “Talking Chess” are the deleted songs (six, not five). Like I posted above, this is a very rare CD, so hold onto it. Woo! I _do_ have a first! 😃 Kewl. Back to the OP; a couple of other musicals I’d recommend: **Bloomer Girl** ; by the team that would later go on to Finnian’s Rainbow. A couple of great songs (“The Eagle And Me”, “The Farmer’s Daughter”. “Sunday in Cicero Falls”) a bunch of good ones, plus Dooley (“As Time Goes By”) Wilson sings. **How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying** –The original cast with Robert Morse…he’s the only actor in the entire history of the universe able to make J. Pierpont Finch a loveable character, since he’s the only actor in the world to be able to present a likeable smirk (whether vocal or visual). The Matthew Broderick version is just blah. By Frank Loesser (“Guys and Dolls”) **Blondel** -Out of print and hard to find, this one’s as good as Chess,and much funnier. A minstrel has to go out and find King Richard (at the same time Robin Hood’s fighting Prince John). Hysterically funny stuff. It opens with a barbershop quartet of monks singing (in the style of the Beach Boy’s “Barbara Ann”) a benidictus ("Beh-Beh-Beh, Beh-Benidictus,[sup]Beh-Beh-Beh, Beh-Benidictus[/sup] etc) and gets better from there. **The Baker’s Wife** , by the guy who did Pippin and Wicked. There’s not much story which is why the musical keeps failing (An older baker and his young wife come to a town, she runs off with a younger hunk, he gets depressed, she comes back realizing that love is better than horniness. That’s it.) but the music is _so_ damned good that people keep trying to put it on. More later. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/33 "2004-08-14T15:10:09Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Woo! I _do_ have a first! 😃 Kewl. > > **Blondel** -Out of print and hard to find, this one’s as good as Chess,and much funnier. A minstrel has to go out and find King Richard (at the same time Robin Hood’s fighting Prince John). Hysterically funny stuff. It opens with a barbershop quartet of monks singing (in the style of the Beach Boy’s “Barbara Ann”) a benidictus ("Beh-Beh-Beh, Beh-Benidictus,[sup]Beh-Beh-Beh, Beh-Benidictus[/sup] etc) and gets better from there. > Fenris In **Blondel** I have to mention the subplot of King John hiring the A-double S-A-double S-i-n to kill Blondel. Oh, to bring **Blondel** to Broadway with Brian Stokes Mitchell as the Assassin, who has the two best songs. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/34 "2004-08-14T15:23:11Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > In **Blondel** I have to mention the subplot of King John hiring the A-double S-A-double S Assassin:I’m an A-double-S-A-double-S… Prince John: An athsmatic? Assassin:A-double-S-A-double-S… Prince John: An asparagus? Assassin: An A… :: double take :: Yes. _I’m_ an asparagus :rolleyes:. An A-double-S A-double-S-IN! Prince John: OH! You’re an _assassin_! 😃 The big problem with Blondel is that Fiona comes across as a completely unlikable bitch. There needs to be some way to soften her. Maybe it was the actress, but on the record, _boy_ is she shrill. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/35 "2004-08-14T17:41:40Z")
Good use of the aspargus green smilies. I think Fiona could be softened; I see her as a person who has simply taken too much crap in her life. The "guy who did Pippin and Wicked is Stephen Schwartz, who also did “Godspell” “The Magic Show” and “Grind” (if you want to talk obscure shows) and some Disney movies :rolleyes: before returning to Broadway with “Wicked.” All of his shows are worth a listen. He also was drafted by Leonard Bernstein to help compose Bernstein’s “Mass.” A damn good work, and one I highly recommend. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/36 "2004-08-14T18:25:31Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Good use of the aspargus green smilies. I think Fiona could be softened; I see her as a person who has simply taken too much crap in her life. 😛 I really think that’s the problem. She didn’t come across as someone who’d been hurt, she seemed like a bitch. When she breaks into Blondel’s song at the beginning (I _hate_ that part), she’s in full-force harpy mode–it seems like she’s intentionally disrupting his song rather than simply unintetionally interrupting. Plus whatshername has a buzz-saw voice that just grated. I’d love to hear someone with a gentler voice…Brightman in her younger days for example, play her. The "guy who did Pippin and Wicked is Stephen Schwartz, [/quote] I knew that, but it was like, 6:00 and I couldn’t remember how to spell “Schwartz” (I didn’t remember the “c”) > [@](#): > > who also did “Godspell” “The Magic Show” and “Grind” (if you want to talk obscure shows) Nope. “Grind” was by Larry Grossman (who also did “Snoopy!” and “Minnie’s Boys”. (You’re right though–it _is_ an obscure show! 🙂 ). Schwartz’s other two biggies are “Working” (which he only did part of) and “Children of Eden” (which, if you can get the original London version (one cd with a woman on the cover), I highly recommend it) ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/37 "2004-08-14T18:29:28Z")
I love **Songs for a New World** , also by Jason Robert Brown. It has no plot (it’s not supposed to), but the songs are great and it manages to have emotional depth even without a plot. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/38 "2004-08-14T19:30:37Z")
[QUOTE=Fenris Nope. “Grind” was by Larry Grossman (who also did “Snoopy!” and “Minnie’s Boys”. (You’re right though–it _is_ an obscure show! 🙂 ). Schwartz’s other two biggies are “Working” (which he only did part of) and “Children of Eden” (which, if you can get the original London version (one cd with a woman on the cover), I highly recommend it)[/QUOTE] D’oh :smack: I always confuse “Grind” with being a Schwartz musical, being one of about 12 people who saw it on Broadway with Ben Vereen, who of course hit superstardom & a Tony with “Pippin.” You forgot to mention Schwartz’s “Rags.” Another obscure one. Fiona was played by Sharon Lee Hill, who also was in the OLC of “The Baker’s Wife.” ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/39 "2004-08-14T20:04:17Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > You forgot to mention Schwartz’s “Rags.” Another obscure one. Oooh. You’re right. What’s interesting is listening to it back-to-back with the OBC of Fiddler—the last notes of “Anatevka” blend _perfectly_ into the first notes of the Overture of Rags. And since Julia Miguiness(sp) was in both and (IIRC again) she was the one who married the snotty “intellectual” one, (who could very easily turn into her no-good husband in “Rags”), it’s _very_ easy to see it as a sequel. (The only daughter who got a worthwhile husband was the one who ended up with the tailor. The Cossack and the budding Commie were both losers, IMO. Excluding whichever daugher ended up with the tailor, the other two woulda been better off letting Yenta fix 'em up. 😃 ) > [@](#): > > Fiona was played by Sharon Lee Hill, who also was in the OLC of “The Baker’s Wife.” Heh. Didn’t like her much there either! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2004, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636/40 "2004-08-15T04:10:35Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > “Commie Newspapers,” “Press Conference,” “Der Kleine Franz,” “Anatoly and the Press,” “One More Opponent,” and “Talking Chess” are the deleted songs (six, not five). Like I posted above, this is a very rare CD, so hold onto it. > > I go along with your assessment to buy both CDS. One has Murray Head, but the other one has Zubin Varla! Annie, you have me drooling for this Danish version now. Is begging fellow dopers for a burned copy against the rules? If so, I will just beg for info on where to find such a treat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-musical-to-listen-to/259636.md?page=3)