Apples2for10
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Another Hundred PeopleI'm not entirely sure what this song means within the context of the show. It's sung by one of Bobby's girlfriends (I don't remember her name, but Pamela Myers played her originally), but I can't figure out why she sings it. Help, anyone?
While we're on the subject of AHP, it's a catchy enough song, but it shocks me to think that Sondheim wrote it. To me, the tune of it doesn't sound like something he would write.
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Paula74
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It's sung by Marta. I don't have my program handy, but the woman who played her at the 5th Avenue Theater's production in Seattle last fall was amazing.
I guess my take on the song is that it illustrates a sort of emotional disconnect that some people feel in NYC...and that Bobby is just one of those "another hundred people" in that same disconnect.
That song actually makes me quite painfully homesick for NYC.
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Mara
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It's sung by Bobby's girlfriend Marta.
There isn't really have a reason why she sings it in the show. Most of Company is like that - the songs don't actually help the plotline progress.
It's about the concept, not a narrative.
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what_the_heck013
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She's describing to Bobby why she loves New York because she feels that Bobby, while he has lived there all his life, has never fully experienced the city.
Apples2for10, the tune is VERY Sondheim. Have you heard "The Miller's Son" from A Little Night Music?
Mara, well of course she has a reason to sing it... if it had no point, it wouldn't be there. While the musical IS about concept, it still has a reason to be.
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Mara
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| what_the_heck013 wrote: | | Mara, well of course she has a reason to sing it... if it had no point, it wouldn't be there. While the musical IS about concept, it still has a reason to be. |
Ok, sorry, phrased badly. I meant it wasn't as a result of something which had happened in the plot.
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Apples2for10
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| what_the_heck013 wrote: | | Apples2for10, the tune is VERY Sondheim. Have you heard "The Miller's Son" from A Little Night Music? |
See, "Miller's Son" sounds like a Sondheim to me, melodywise; AHP, on the other hand, sounds like a song that would be used as filler on an early episode of Sesame Street.
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what_the_heck013
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| Apples2for10 wrote: | | See, "Miller's Son" sounds like a Sondheim to me, melodywise; AHP, on the other hand, sounds like a song that would be used as filler on an early episode of Sesame Street. |
What the n@zi? Are you joking me? I think that AHP is Sonheim at his best. Such wonderful lyrics...
Of course, it is supposed to be pastiche of those classic Broadway Ethel Merman type songs... that could be what's messing with your brain.
In my opinion, though, the fast paced rhythm and pulsing beat in the song is a major quality of a Sondheim song.
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Matthew
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| Apples2for10 wrote: | | what_the_heck013 wrote: | | Apples2for10, the tune is VERY Sondheim. Have you heard "The Miller's Son" from A Little Night Music? |
See, "Miller's Son" sounds like a Sondheim to me, melodywise; AHP, on the other hand, sounds like a song that would be used as filler on an early episode of Sesame Street. |
You've got to be joking me.
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Salome
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listen to the driving forcvce behind the lyrics itsc the pulse of new yourk all rolled into one song.
Sondheim doesntt write in one particular style the plot,characters and setting of his shows dictate how his score sounds.
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Apples2for10
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| Salome wrote: | | listen to the driving force behind the lyrics |
See, I have no problem with the lyrics; for some reason I just don't care for the melody.
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Salome
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i mean them usical force behind the lyrics. the tune is the pylse of Nwe York City..you can hear everything about new york in that tune.
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Robinflamingo
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| Mara wrote: | | what_the_heck013 wrote: | | Mara, well of course she has a reason to sing it... if it had no point, it wouldn't be there. While the musical IS about concept, it still has a reason to be. |
Ok, sorry, phrased badly. I meant it wasn't as a result of something which had happened in the plot. |
See, I disagree. I think it's a direct result of the plot - Marta is proving, as do all three of the "girls", why she isn't what Bobby ultimately needs, no matter how hard either of them try. She is showing that she has that veneer, that "city of strangers" feeling, with an underscore of yearning for vulnerability - but Another Hundred People just got off of the train.
I love this show.
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Salome
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Yes Robin..you hit the nail on the head. too many people think they know Company and all they know is the cast recording.
its kind of like the amazed looks I get when I say that Joanne and Larry have the strongest marraige in the play.
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what_the_heck013
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| Robinflamingo wrote: | | See, I disagree. I think it's a direct result of the plot - Marta is proving, as do all three of the "girls", why she isn't what Bobby ultimately needs, no matter how hard either of them try. She is showing that she has that veneer, that "city of strangers" feeling, with an underscore of yearning for vulnerability - but Another Hundred People just got off of the train. |
I completely agree.
"It's a city of strangers,
Some come to work, some to play.
A city of strangers,
Some come to stare, some to stay.
And every day
Some go away"
Bobby is part of the some who come to work and stare, whereas Marta comes to play and stay.
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Robinflamingo
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Even Marta's hand motions (the sphincter joke) works with the song. I know the script is published in a Fireside Theatre edition, so everyone should read it.
While I have done the show, and have both cast recordings and the DVD, I haven't seen the revival. Did the script change significantly?
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what_the_heck013
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I don't know. I'm really sad that they keep all the dialogue between Kathy and Bobby and April and Bobby during AHP, but the Bobby and Marta secene isnt there... and that's probably the funniest scene. Company is a great read. I'm very blessed that my library has all the major Sondheim librettos.
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Mara
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| Robinflamingo wrote: | | Mara wrote: | | what_the_heck013 wrote: | | Mara, well of course she has a reason to sing it... if it had no point, it wouldn't be there. While the musical IS about concept, it still has a reason to be. |
Ok, sorry, phrased badly. I meant it wasn't as a result of something which had happened in the plot. |
See, I disagree. I think it's a direct result of the plot - Marta is proving, as do all three of the "girls", why she isn't what Bobby ultimately needs, no matter how hard either of them try. She is showing that she has that veneer, that "city of strangers" feeling, with an underscore of yearning for vulnerability - but Another Hundred People just got off of the train.
I love this show. |
Point taken. I have seen the show, but I certainly didn't pick that up. I felt like AHP came out of nowhere, I love the song but I just didn't get that extra level of meaning from watching the show.
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The REAL Ciaron
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Re: Another Hundred People | Apples2for10 wrote: | | I'm not entirely sure what this song means within the context of the show. . |
What context? Remember this is "Company" we are talking about. The plot is totally non linear. It is during Marta and Bobby's piece. Marta is NOT trying to make Bobby relate to anything by singing the song (i forgot which one of you said that). She sings it because it is how SHE see's the world and the city she lives in. How everything is disconnected and she LOVES IT!! She is the wild crazy girl in his life and the song perfectly illustrates how a woman like that would think.
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