Good morning!
I'm going to try to have another basically productive day today, so I probably won't be posting as often as I have in the past few days... But I shall post!
As for songs from the past ten years - Most of my choices have already been mentioned. But I'll give it a try:
As I've mentioned before, I have a very soft spot in my heart for the show and the score of
big - especially, "I Wanna Go Home," "I Want to Know," and "Stop, Time". -And when I MDed a production of it a few years ago, I have to say that some of the songs that were put back in for the then-licensed version should have stayed out, imho.
Violet - "Let It Sing!," "Lay Down Your Head," the Opening Sequence ("I Am On My Way"), and the Finale ("Bring Me To Light") - which has one of the most beautiful and emotional and musical arcs I've ever experienced - and that one "release" in the middle where the trio of voices are floating... Wow! Again, I feel very fortunate to have worked on a production of this show. -And I can't wait to see Caroline, or Change this weekend!
Aida - There are some fun numbers in the show... I know it may not be to everyone's taste, but still fun nonetheless - and Elton John's style is very much in evidence (and since I'm a pianist...
). From someone who's played in the pit of this show, my favorite songs are "My Strongest Suit" (mainly the runway sequence, which, unfortunately, is edited to within an inch of it's life of the OCR), "The Gods Love Nubia," "Elaborate Lives," "Easy As Life", and "I Know the Truth" (which I love playing at auditions if the singer actually sings and belts it!).
The Full Monty - "Big Ass Rock," "You Walk With Me", and "Breeze on the Water" - as well as the cut song "Maid of the Mist" - which BK recorded with Emily Skinner.
A Class Act - Yes, the songs were writtend more than ten years ago, but the show is within the time frame. "Paris Through the Window," "Mona," "Under Separate Cover," "The Next Best Thing to Love" and "Self-Portrait". -OH, and the one numbers, the blues one that did not make it to the OCR - which I can't remember the title of right now. -Hmm, I guess I like/d a lot of songs from this show.
Hairspray - Heck, there's not much I don't like in this score, but "You Can't Stop The Beat" truly gets me moving my feet, tapping my toes, clapping my hands and smiling(!) every time!
-I know I'm leaving off a bunch of stuff, but they're not crossing my mind right now. Oh, and I guess the usual suspects from
Urinetown,
Parade,
Titanic, etc.
RE: Jack Finney - I like "The Picture on the Wall" which was the basis for the movie Maxie - with the story somewhat changed. However, I still think the original story - and even the movie revision - would make a good musical. With the flapper-era being represented and well as the "present", the possible score has many musical possibilities.
-Oh, and it was amazing just how much warmer my room was last night after I had taken out the window A/C unit!! Nor more annoying draft! And the temp was in the teens last night here too!
*But we're in the mid-50s right now, and I'm hoping to get outside for a little bit to enjoy it.
