The Teach Me About Broadway Thread

[blackcauldron85]

I am still very interested, and I do think about it from time to time, but I really haven't looked into anything yet. I like what I've heard from the Hairspray movie (I even bought the DVD but haven't watched it yet), and I also like what I've heard from Legally Blonde so far. I'll definitely let people know when I get the ball rolling. I'm also interested in Spring Awakening...I know that Corbin is a big fan. <3

[xxhplinkxx]

What are you waiting for?! Your mission for tonight is to watch Hairspray! lol.

[Kram Nebuer]

I am still very interested, and I do think about it from time to time, but I really haven't looked into anything yet. I like what I've heard from the Hairspray movie (I even bought the DVD but haven't watched it yet), and I also like what I've heard from Legally Blonde so far. I'll definitely let people know when I get the ball rolling. I'm also interested in Spring Awakening...I know that Corbin is a big fan. <3

Hey Amy! I just saw this thread and was glad to see everyone basically said what I already wanted to say!

A few things...PLEASE watch Hairspray and listen to the full soundtrack of Legally Blonde! Considering you already like what you've seen so far and your taste in the current Disney Pop Star music, you definitely will LOVE both of these shows. The great thing about Hairspray is it's one of the happiest non-Disney movies on Earth and showcases the musical styles of the early Sixties. With Legally Blonde, when I first watched the MTV special, I noticed most of the songs were very similar to each other and offer a very catchy, fast moving beat. My favorites from Legally Blonde are "Omigod You Guys," "What You Want," "So Much Better," and "Bend and Snap." And I love all of Hairspray.

Though regarding your earlier questions about the soundtracks:

The movie versions and original stage versions are very similar but may have a few different songs. I know for Hairspray, there were about 3 or 4 songs in the original Broadway show that were replaced by new songs for the movie or just deleted from the movie altogether. My favorite song not in the Hairspray movie is "Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now" (though it's in the credits). If you get the original Broadway soundtrack, you can hear Laura Bell Bundy as Amber Von Tussle; Laura Bell Bundy plays Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, too!

You MOST DEFINITELY need to get the Disney Broadway soundtracks! They certainly add a whole new level to the well-known stories of the movies we know and love. For example, for The Little Mermaid, there's a new dimension and level you get to see about Prince Eric (he has two solo songs in the Broadway show). Also, with the Lion King, there are a lot more African influenced new songs that totally make the show very unique, new, and different from the movie. I feel like the African influenced songs are much stronger than the showtune-y ones that were in the movie.

Usually, I like to watch the show and then listen to the soundtrack again forever and ever because I HATE spoilers, especially for things I really want to see and enjoy. I tried very hard to not listed to Wicked before I saw it and I was very much entertained and amazed by the story. (BTW, the composer for Wicked is Stephen Schwatz)

What ends up happening with Broadway soundtracks is that the show usually is mostly the songs, so you get a lot of the story in it. If you haven't seen the show yet and don't know what's going on, the songs could be confusing and not be as emotionally moving as they would if you saw them all together with the dialogue and the show experience. As with The Little Mermaid, I already knew the story, so I listened to the whole soundtrack before seeing the show. Eric's first song was very nice when I listened to it, but seeing it in the context of the show, I realized how emotionally tortured he really was.
Spoiler for Beauty and the Beast (Highlight if you want to read):

In the show, since we have more time to explore the enchanted object characters and due to the limitations of live theater, the enchanted objects start out as very much human and throughout the show they are gradually turning into the objects they are in the movie. They even mention how one of the other servants (who was as dumb as a brick) completely change into a brick wall. We all know the song "Human Again," but hearing it within this new story context makes the song more powerful and moving because you really get a sense of the plight the servants are going through as they are becoming inanimate objects.

It's up to you if you want to listen to the soundtracks without seeing the show. Given your geographic location and the closing of Broadway shows and lack of movie for some of them, it's hard to properly experience the story first and then listen to the soundtrack. I personally hate spoilers. I know Mary Poppins almost nearly completely changed the story from the movie, so I still haven't listened to the 2nd Act yet to avoid spoilers. Overall, Broadway soundtracks are terrific sources of music as I really enjoy great orchestral arrangements with singing over rock bands with singing/screaming/rhythmic speaking. Also, the great thing about the modern broadway shows is that they're all very diverse and bring in other types of music.

I hope this has helped and good luck in learning about Broadway!

Here are some final recommendations based on my experiences with musical theater that I think you would like:

New and Fairly Recent:
Hairspray (movie), Legally Blonde, Footloose, Hairspray, Into the Woods, Once Upon a Mattress (very very funny!), Seussical (this one is LOTS of fun!), Wicked

Classic and older
Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mame (very big bandy 1930s sound and the original soundtrack has Angela Lansbury in the lead!), Singin' In the Rain

All Disney to my knowledge:
Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Aida, Der Glockner von Notre Dame (if you can find it), Tarzan, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid

Disney's On the Record - I'm sure you've heard about this by now, but if you haven't, it's a show that showcases a variety of Disney songs from 1928-2004. I've read some bad reviews about the show, but as a soundtrack it's AMAZING! The arrangements of Disney songs make this a highly entertaining and replayable album to own. Don't be shy to spend money on this one!
Here's my favorite track that I made a Disney Music Video to:
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[carolinakid]

Great video!
I love On The Record!
I also love A Grand Night For Singing which utilizes the same concept with the Rodgers & Hammerstein catalog.
Worth checking out!

Jon

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks, Reuben- that was extremely entertaining & informative! I have a lot of looking into to do!