Musical Theatre

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For lovers, performers and creators of musical theatre (or theater). Broadway, off-Broadway, the West End, other parts of the US and UK, and musicals around the world and on film/TV. Discussion encouraged. Welcome post: https://tinyurl.com/kbinMusicals See all/older posts here: https://kbin.social/m/Musicals

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Here We Are, Stephen Sondheim’s final musical, has hardly any songs in its second act (nypost.com)

submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Here We Are, Sondheim's final show, has hardly any songs in its second act, according to sources familiar with the book and score.

One insisted it has “zero,” adding, “Steve bailed because he could not write Act 2. He gave it up and never thought it would be done.”

The insider went on to say that “there are only six songs in Act 1, and one is repeated in every single scene.”

Here We Are is based on two films by Spanish surrealist director Luis Buñuel — 1972’s “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” and ’62’s “The Exterminating Angel.”

Act 1 is said to be “Discreet Charm,” while Act 2 is “Angel.” The second part is heavily reliant on playwright David Ives’ book.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago

As someone who will be seeing Here We Are in October, this article is a good reminder to keep one's expectations in check. Sondheim was a genius, but he was also a craftsman - his works didn't spring fully formed from his brow, Mozart-like. It's worth remembering that Here We Are was incomplete when Sondheim died and that (given its decade-long development period) he must have wrestled long and mightily to get it right. Sunday in the Park was in a similarly unfinished state when it started public performances. The difference of course is that Sondheim is no longer able to work on the show during the preview process and beyond.