"The Music Man" is one of my favorite Broadway musicals, not because it's a story about a con man, but because of the MUSIC, of course. I sat with my son's family last night as we watched the Broadway Jr. production at their daughter's Middle School. It is always a little hard to watch a 2 1/2 hour show condensed to fit into about one hour. There was a lot cut out to make it easier for young teenagers to perform. This school production had some good talent, but they were all very young, so some of the songs and dances just didn't work very well. And what can I say about the love scenes? (Awkward?)
The songs from Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" have been standards in the vocal repertoire for generations now. "76 Trombones," "The Wells Fargo Wagon," "Goodnight Ladies," "Trouble," "Gary Indiana," and "Til There Was You" are just a few of the songs that most people still readily recognize. So much of the score is very sophisticated in signature ways common for a composer of band music. The rhythms and syncopations are so fun! One of my favorites is the opening scene rhythmically spoken by the traveling salesmen on the train --- "Cash for the merchandise... Cash for the...."
The original score has more songs than were sung last night (like "Marion the Librarian"), songs with choral and barbershop harmonies, partner songs, and dance sections that could go on forever. Those aspects are what were cut for the junior production. And those are the parts I really missed from the show last night!
But I guess they had to cut somewhere to make the show work for a young cast. I just miss all of the good stuff that was cut.
The songs from Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" have been standards in the vocal repertoire for generations now. "76 Trombones," "The Wells Fargo Wagon," "Goodnight Ladies," "Trouble," "Gary Indiana," and "Til There Was You" are just a few of the songs that most people still readily recognize. So much of the score is very sophisticated in signature ways common for a composer of band music. The rhythms and syncopations are so fun! One of my favorites is the opening scene rhythmically spoken by the traveling salesmen on the train --- "Cash for the merchandise... Cash for the...."
The original score has more songs than were sung last night (like "Marion the Librarian"), songs with choral and barbershop harmonies, partner songs, and dance sections that could go on forever. Those aspects are what were cut for the junior production. And those are the parts I really missed from the show last night!
But I guess they had to cut somewhere to make the show work for a young cast. I just miss all of the good stuff that was cut.
Carolyn Thompson Lee at the piano Here's a funny story about the song "Til There Was You." My mother had a few signature songs she could perform at the drop of a hat. That was one of them. She had memorized repertoire in several genres --- "Sacred songs and Opera," "Broadway and pop standards," and "love songs." She would often get asked to sing for "after-dinner entertainment" at parties of all kinds. Many times she would be asked to sing with no notice at all. Fortunately, she could sing and accompany herself on the piano because she kept herself so prepared.
Apparently, she had gained this reputation 'way back from when she went to college at BYU. We moved around a lot, and occasionally people from her past would cross paths with her. One time, a General Authority visitor came to speak for our Stake Conference in Ohio. At the Saturday Night adult session, the theme was about eternal marriage and about "keeping your courtship alive." The visitor had noticed my mother in the congregation, and said, "Now, before I give my talk, I'd like Carolyn Lee to come up and sing us a love song."
This was HIGHLY UNUSUAL!!!!!
So, what did my mother do? She got up, went to the piano, played a flashy arpeggio to establish the key, and began singing,
"There were bells on the hill
But I never heard them ringing
No, I never heard them at all
'Til there was you
There were birds in the sky
But I never saw them winging
No, I never saw them at all
'Til there was you..."
Of course, she did. Then the General Authority thanked her and proceeded to give his talk.
I guess he knew her from before...
Apparently, she had gained this reputation 'way back from when she went to college at BYU. We moved around a lot, and occasionally people from her past would cross paths with her. One time, a General Authority visitor came to speak for our Stake Conference in Ohio. At the Saturday Night adult session, the theme was about eternal marriage and about "keeping your courtship alive." The visitor had noticed my mother in the congregation, and said, "Now, before I give my talk, I'd like Carolyn Lee to come up and sing us a love song."
This was HIGHLY UNUSUAL!!!!!
So, what did my mother do? She got up, went to the piano, played a flashy arpeggio to establish the key, and began singing,
"There were bells on the hill
But I never heard them ringing
No, I never heard them at all
'Til there was you
There were birds in the sky
But I never saw them winging
No, I never saw them at all
'Til there was you..."
Of course, she did. Then the General Authority thanked her and proceeded to give his talk.
I guess he knew her from before...
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