Replies: 10 Unseemly Comments
The first songs that come to mind are from "One Night Stand" and are "A little travelling music please" and "if you're gonna go out, go out big". This musical had a book by Herb Gardner and a Jule Styne Score which has some gems in it for sure. Charles Kimbrough (Murphy Brown, Sunday in the Park with George, etc) starred.
Posted by Craig @ 02/23/2002 10:23 AM PST
"That Something Extra Special" from DARLING OF THE DAY or "I'll Be Always Loving You" from MR & MRS.
Posted by Scot Morehouse @ 02/23/2002 10:40 AM PST
I like Disneyland as well from Smile. The three version I have are from Unsung Musicals, the hidden track from Michelle Nicastro and a great cabaret singer and male voice Bill McKinley.
Another song and the only song I have ever heard from "Jean" based on the life the actress Jean Seberg is the song dreamers. Top notch renditions by Sarah Brightman who I believe recorded it first and one of my favorite cabaret singers Lee Lessack.
Another song is The Story Goes On from "Baby" sung by a Bruce Kimmel favorite Liz Callaway. Going on there is of course Our Time from Merrily We Roll Along. I have many different recordings of this song from solo to duets to cast recordings to choirs. I never grow tired of listening to it every since I saw it performed in the 4th preview of the original production. It still a found memory of for me of a production that disappointed me.
Going onto more of Sondheim if you can consider Follies a flop there are a multitude of songs to consider.
From Pacific Overtures I think perhaps the best musical (of the best I don't to get myself into trouble) Someone In a Tree.
I don't know how long the show run but the musical Stages has always been a favorite (and I'll keep on saying it) The title song, No Letting Go, Circles and Musical Comedy whose openning lyrics are (and for give me dear composer/lyricist if they are not exact:
"I want to be in a musical comedy. Forget the drama delight and amaze me. Nothing can faze me. When they sing and the dance OKlahoma to Runaways. Forget your Faye Dunaways. Give me a Merman! Gower Champion not Clurman! Dance.
From 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue there is the ravishing Take Care of This House. Whether it is sung as a solo or in the context of the show. This underrated and rarely heard score is a treat to listen to.
Finally there is The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public.
Not!!!!
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 02/23/2002 12:17 PM PST
Well, not to be a pedant, but it goes something like this (although you are so close it's truly amazing):
I want to be in a musical comedy
Forget the drama de-
Light and amaze me
Nothing can faze me
When they sing and they dance
Oklahoma! to Runaways
Keep your Faye Dunaways
Give me a Merman!
Gower Champion not Harold Clurman!
Obviously Runaways was playing when I wrote this song. And Mr. Champion was alive. As was Ms. Merman, as was, I think, Mr. Clurman. Stages had quite a few productions in the early eighties, I even have a tape of some high school in Canada doing it.
On another note - we have not had one single guess for our trivia question. Stumped at last? Actually, if you read the notes and posts carefully there might just be a clue as to the answer.
Posted by bk @ 02/23/2002 03:10 PM PST
okay, the new Broadway Radio Show will be posted tomorrow afternoon and I decided that we would take a look and listen to how some great (and not so great) performers have been portrayed on stage by some other great (and not so great) performers.....of course, that will include Fanny Brice (actually, 2 Fannys) as well as Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, George M. Cohan and many others.....
Posted by Donald @ 02/23/2002 04:24 PM PST
Shoudl clarify the Pacific Overtures statement.
From Pacific Overtures I think perhaps the best musical SONG ( ONE of the best I don't to get myself into trouble HERE) IS Someone In a Tree. THERE WAS EVEN TV PROGRAM DEDICATED TO THE CREATION AND WRITING OF THE SONG.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 02/23/2002 04:57 PM PST
"Open Your Heart" from CARRIE tops my list.
"Disneyland" from SMILE
"She Touched Me" from, well, you know.
"Men" from WHOOP-UP!
"Everybody's Got a Home" from PIPE DREAM - revive this! revive it in any way shape or form!
"Why Did I Chose You?" from THE YEARLING
"Something You Never Had Before" from THE GAY LIFE
"Gifts of Love" (original version) from THE BAKER'S WIFE
and while we're in a Schwartz mood:
"Since I Gave My Heart Away" from GEPETTO - a song which the ineffable Guy Haines should tackle.
Posted by td @ 02/23/2002 09:46 PM PST
What about the song from 1776?
Morass and Rum
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 02/24/2002 07:19 AM PST
The title song from "I Had a Ball," especially as sung by the one and only Karen Morrow. WOW!
Posted by Phil Crosby @ 02/25/2002 06:10 AM PST
Oh, there are so many! After all, most musicals have been flops--at least in the financial sense--haven't they?
Anyone remember DONNYBROOK? Music and lyrics by Johnny Burke. "Sad Was the Day" sung by the legendary Susan Johnson. And Ms. Johnson teamed with Eddie Foy, Jr. for "It Couldn't Have Been More Delightful" Art ("Whatever Happened to?") Lund's songs were somewhat less memorable.
And TENDERLOIN was a flop, nicht wahr? "Artificial Flowers" brought to the pop charts by Bobby Darin. "Little Old New York" would have been a much grittier theme than "I [picture of a heart] New York". "My Gentle Young Johnny" is hauntingly beautiful.
GREENWILLOW. Setting aside the annoying "Clang Dang the Bell", what about "Summertime Love" and "Never Will I Marry", both masterpieces. And the CD has the rare opportunity to hear Pert Kelton, (the original Alice Kramden) whose family has set up a web site in her honor, bless their dear little Christian hearts.
Ah, flops, flops, flops! I could go on rhapsodizing for days. As I'm sure Bruce will.
Oh, hi, Bruce. LTNS
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/25/2002 12:06 PM PST