Archive for Musicals.Net Musicals.Net |
| Singer |
"Woman In White" what do you think of it?I bought the "Woman In White" CD and have learned all the songs. I like them a lot and I think some of them are really beautiful! What do you guys think of it? |
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| Sairin |
Hmm. It makes good background music, nice melodies and the all. I saw it live twice; the first time I liked it a lot and the second I was counting the minutes even with Ruthie Henshall onstage. Neither the music or the story stands it up to repeated viewings in my opinion. | ||||
| PAMIE |
I have the CD and it great, I can't wait to see the show in March, I'm happy that Maria Friedman and Michael Ball are the stars of the show. I just love them in Musical The Passion | ||||
| Pasty |
I heard a song or two on a radio station and i really enjoyed it. I haven't persued it though. | ||||
| RainbowJude |
The Woman in White
I think the the score is rather dull and plodding. I just wish they would stop singing and speak for one second. I'm actually almost certain I would enjoy the songs, such as they are, if they weren't preceded and followed by a never-ending spew of recitative, the inclusion of which on the CDs at least made the narrative clear and easy to follow. I found the Big Love Duet, "I Believe My Heart" lyrically simplistic to the point of irritation, even though I rather enjoyed the melody. But I did like "I Hope You Like It Here", "Evermore Without You" and "Perspective". I also can't say that I enjoyed the orchestrations very much. They felt - to me - lacking in subtlety and warmth and didn't, in my opinion, support what I perceived to be happening dramatically. I don't know what else to say really. I don't know that my expectations were that high for this score, but I guess there was some kind of hope within me that this would be something really meaty and textured. But I was a bit disappointed with the way it played on disc. I'd be interested to see how The Woman in White comes across in the theatre. Later days David |
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| GlamorousGriz |
I saw it in London and I fell in love with it. I love everything about the show... the actors I saw in it, the music, the sets, everything. It was remarkable. Definately one of my favorite shows. I can't wait to see it in New York. | ||||
| javertsw |
When I saw it in London, I have to admit I enjoyed it... but I do feel it is something you couldn't see twice. What I liked about it was that the story was kind of gripping. Apart from that. nothing else really grabbed me. I considered buying the CD, but decided I didn't like the music that much.
Well its not a dyer show... its not amazing... it's ok... Oh and 'I Believe My Heart' is just... *blah*   
Just absolutely horrible. I mean, the lyrics.... ?! Blah. |
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| Sairin |
Exactly javertsw - and once you know the story, know the music and have seen the set and the performances, you've seen it all. | ||||
| B3TA07 |
I really like "Trying Not To Notice." The BS lyrics in "Perspective" piss me off. The first time I listened to the Finale, at the part where Glyde discovers it's Laura dressed as Anne, that bit gave me shivers.
I like what ALW did with his melodies this time around. |
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| Dvarg |
I have only heard it on disc. What I think is a main problem with the show, is that is feels totally void of subtlety or subtext. It feels like a very straight forward retelling of the story, somewhat awkwardly dramatized. One would believe ALW was a better dramaturg after all these years. And the yrics are embarassing.
There are a few nice tunes, though. I can't get You Can Get Away With Anything out of my head. It's a shame it isn't remotely funny, as I assume it is intended to be. |
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| Belle |
I was going to see the show, at some point, until I received a Promo CD. It was so dreadful that there's NO WAY I'm going to pay to see the show! Should someone offer me a free ticket on a night when I'm broke and have nothing better to do, AND Dale Branston's going to be playing Fosco, then I'd go... but only to see Dale.
The show as absolutely zero appeal for me, in plot, characters, DULL DULL DULL music, awful lyrics, over-priced seats... I did love The Beautiful Game. I know my opinions and outlook have changed over the past 5 years, moving away from automatically warming to anything ALW, but ALW's intent is so different in WIW. Beautiful Game was a difficult, politically hot subject (how a young man became a terrorist), treated with grit and realism, a world away from a Victorian novel adaption. I'll save my West End money for shows I want to see! |
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| flying_pigs |
We got a free CD in the post which had the title song sung by Shonagh Daly which I really enjoyed and a parts of other songs, the only one I really enjoyed was Evermore Without You, is it worth going to see it as I havn't? | ||||
| Brother Marvin Hinten, S. |
No, it's not worth it. Buy tix to the revival of JCS soon to be sweeping the nation (and possibly the world). You'll be doing ALW a better favor than going to see WIW. | ||||
| Sairin |
I'd see it once, as I think you'll like it, plus the tickets are generally easy to get at discount (there's a Sunday Times offer where you can get top tickets for £25 monday-thursday, so quote that). If you're hard up on cash though, save it for JCS. |
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| javertsw |
I went on a Sataday matinee to the box office at the theatre, asked for a cheap seat and she put me in the stalls for the same price. I was by myself, though.
This made up for the show not being amazing. |
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| olly |
I really enjoyed it. Though I've only seen it once, I was concentrating more on the plot rather than the music. However, looking back, I really like the music - I'm getting the CD for Christmas. Once you know the plot, you can go to shows, sit back and appreciate the music. Thats what I do with Les Miserables - go to the shows and just appreciate the fantastic music... I know the plot back to front (seen it 14 times) but I'm sure people have seen it many more times than I have (though I'm only 17).
Olly |
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| RainyCrystal |
I really love this musical. Great story (I'm going to read the book someday, I know it), great characters, and I love the music. I enjoyed the recording the first time I listened to it, and I find the whole musical powerful and haunting. I'd love to see it someday!
~Sissi |
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| The REAL Ciaron |
I hated this show (big surprise I know)
Friedman was amazing but Crawford sucked!!!! The music just plods along. The lyrics are almost as bad as Rice's. |
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| RainbowJude |
Rice / Zippel
Tim Rice's lyrics aren't generally bad; I'd take him over David Zippel anytime. Zippel's lyrics in The Woman in White are almost without exception worse than anything that Rice has written. Later days David |
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| flyingt |
I have the CD and listen to it all the time. I really like the score and I think that Maria Friedman is fantastic in the show and she plays a fantastic role! I loved Micheal Crawford as Count Fosco. I have seen parts of the musical on video on the Really Useful website. I really like the cinematic set design. I am really looking forward to going to see it! However, being in New Zealand it could take quite a while. But, like Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar it should go to Aussie in a year or two and I will go see it in Sydney. | ||||
| FeatherDust56 |
Seems there are very mixed reviews for the show. Thanks to everyone for the insight. | ||||
| All_For_Laura |
Hmmm I'm a bit late here, but what better time for a revival of this post, especially since it is closing on broadway in a week and in london in 2 weeks. Clearly I love the show. I think it is one of Webber's more skillful pieces. I admit that I do hate "I believe my heart", but there is so much that gives this show so much life. I think that that rotational scenery isn't the greatest, but it wasn't terrible. Anyway if the snow isn't too bad I am seeing it tomorrow and I am seeing it Thursday evening in london. I am crazy I know!
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| Anno_Domini |
I don't really see what's wrong with the lyrics. Some of them may be simple - who cares? As long as they keep the songs moving, then they're fine. "I Believe My Heart" is a beautiful song, in both music and lyrics | ||||
| All_For_Laura |
I love the show. Its one of my favorites. And I think the music for I believe my heart is wonderful....But, come on Zippel! "I believe my heart, it believes in you..."
That could be edited. |
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| Lastnightoftheworld |
The lyrics are pretty bad in places, but the music is good. I saw the show in London just after it came out, and loved it, but wouldn't see it again. I listen to the CD a lot though.
It closed pretty quickly in London and Broadway, so I guess that says a lot about its popularity. |
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| renthead4402 |
The show is amazing in my opinion, but they ruined it when they brought it over seas. I was so saddened by the broadway production, all the changes and cuts. But Maria Friedman is still the best thing I've ever seen on stage. | ||||
| All_For_Laura |
Maria is amazing!
I actually enjoyed it more on Broadway than in the west end. I think the broadway cast was much much better. When I saw it in London, Damian Humbley seemed to shout all too much as Walter Hartright. I also unfortunately saw Yvetter Robinson instead of Ruthie Henshall, who was too soft and did not have the power or character to handle the part of Marian. Michael Cormick was amazing, as well as Elinor Collett. Alexandra Silber shined over Robinson. As for now, I wait for the national tour in the states to be announced. If you want to hear a great Album with Maria on it, get the Passion London recording! |
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| renthead4402 |
Yeah, I'm excited for the national tour, but also they're talking about a "reconceived" version of the show to be expected, but I don't know what that entails. But I'm excited about it all. | ||||
| All_For_Laura |
Perhaps they will forget the whole zoetrope idea and go with a more traditional setting? Not that I don't like the backing screens as a set. I think it works great. But people complain about them. Perhaps they will get rid of that. Also if anyone has listened to the cd and seen the performance, i realied they cut "if not for me, for her" from the production. anyone know why? | ||||
| renthead4402 |
It saddened me greatly. I love that song. And they also cut Perspective in half which might be my favourite song. |
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| All_For_Laura |
I like Trying not to notice 10x more than perspective! | ||||
| liza_minelli |
I love this musical!! Maria Freidman is amazing!
This was the one of the first musicals i ever saw (Hey, I'm still a kid!) and I saw it on the opening night... I loved it, it had me in tears at the end!! Does anyone know a site I can find the ranges for each character?? Please help!! |
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| All_For_Laura |
There are no sites for WIW ranges. Your best bet would be to buy the Vocal Book that is out now. | ||||
| Rumpleteazer4760 |
This show seems to get very mixed reviews. I really cannot comment, as I've only heard a few short sound clips, but I've read the book and I must say it seemed a difficult job to tackle to me. The book is incredibly long and involved (and really good, I highly reccomend it), and it seems like it would be difficult to turn it into a musical. I commend the creators for trying and I'd like to get the CD to hear what kind of music is in the show. It seems like it would have an almost eerie or creepy sound to me, judging from the mood of the book.
The only thing I can say about the show itself is that I simply cannot imagine Michael Crawford in the role of Count Fosco.... It doesn't seem like a good fit to me.
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| tommo2k |
They actually missed bits out of the book and slightly changed bits to make it better for a musical. It follows the same basic storyline though. Both good! | ||||
| liza_minelli |
He's amazing, really fab. I couldnt imagine it either but he's really good 
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| All_For_Laura |
Ive seen both Michael Ball and David Burt in the role, and I have heard Crawford on C.D. I think Michael Crawford is excellent, but Ball just gives a much more splendid performance in this role. | ||||
| Rumpleteazer4760 |
That interests me exceedingly. He just doesn't seem like the Count Fosco type. |
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| All_For_Laura |
He pulls it off all too well!
BTW to ALL! Maria Friedman will be performing in a cabaret for about a month in NYC starting May! Everyone go see her! She will be amazing! |
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| theatregeek |
Trying Not To Notice is such a beautiful song! I love the score or this show. I agree that the lyrics aren't the best, some are quite simple, but they do work. There are a few lines that are pretty bad though! |
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| AuntBeast |
One of my favorite cast albums at the moment.
any news of a US tour? (please.) I'd love to see it. I went through the 2 disc album and made a comprehensive "highlights" 1 cd album of the best songs for me and my friends who I want to introduce them to the musical without boring them. I cut alot of dialouge and boring music out of it. I split alot of tracks. For example, Holy and the Ivy is now 3 songs. That kind of thing. If anyones interested....
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| christinadaae |
Captivating orchestration.
Buy it. |