Reprises Are Awesome

Sometimes a song is so great we have to hear it again, but not at full length but rather a shorter version, a nice reminder of something we heard before but in a new light. And that is why reprises are amazing! Hearing familiar melodies to either show how a character has grown or remind the audience of their goal. Sometimes they are sung by the same character and sometimes different but they can be an important part of a musical none the less. First off for those who write the shows it allows them to use material that they have already created without writing a new song. It can reiterate themes and ideas without having to be completely new. It can reuse a melody that the audience could have thoroughly enjoyed before and remind them of the song from earlier thus tying everything together both in theme and in song.

From the audience point of view, a reprise can be a short little song in a scene where there would have been none. A brief break from the dialogue but a break none the less. It can advance plot and remind the audience that there are more songs to come. It can be used to close a scene without having to speak it out in dialogue and make a transition even more seamless. A song can be a nice way to wrap a scene up with a boy instead of just telling the audience, why tell when you can sing! 

They can call back to something from the previous act to really iterate a characters personality, ideals, or goals, all while not taking up too much time. Some of the best reprises can be worth a listen even when they are less then two minutes long. Whether a comedy uses it to hammer in a joke in a cleaver way or another show used it to remind you why the cast is where they are. It can be used an update without just outright saying it but making it fun and memorable. 

Another form is reusing the melody, ideas, and even lyrics but being a mostly different song. Something in act two that feels and sounds like something from act one but does not share the name. Many finales also often turn into reprises to use a song we loved to wrap up the show. Some shows turn the ending into a medley and we get a bunch of mini reprises bundled together as a send off for the show that we have been spending the evening with. 

Reprises are necessary because they have so many amazing uses. Some musicals do go without but plenty use them and we love these songs so much we love to see them again, even an act later and in a different way. In one form or another sometimes songs are so great they often deserve another look.

Don't Want To Be Here (Ordinary Days)

 It is time to go through another song, that I love from a show that is not talked about often. Ordinary Days follows a few different stories of peoples lives in New York City and this song is another shining example of that. This I want or should I say, I don't want song is a great character introduction but has a great balance of comedy, character, and pushes her narrative in a great way. 

The piano melody greets the listener and stays throughout, simple, down to earth, yet super memorable. It gives the lead room to really steal the show, as the background music and lyrics really work together to tell a story. This song walks through one of our leads lives, from starting life in a cul-de-sac to graduating college. As she narrates her life story thus far you see her true motive which is not wanting to settle in one place and keep discovering herself. From going to grad school and constantly moving while doing all sorts of different jobs. The motivation adds not only a ton of character but relatable wanting to leave home and try to go on to bigger and better things.

 Not to long I discussed I Want songs and this one fits into this song as well, as it not only describes her environment but her constant feelings for it. From how she feels about school to the work place and how she has moved constantly due to not wanting to be there any more. As she faces obstacles such as not her ideal job being the only place hiring or not having the courses needed to not being able to settle on a major. 

She tells the audience that she is not negative but rather there are bigger and better things that never seem to be where she is. That she always moves because her mind is always moving and that she doesn't want to stick with one job and embrace the mundane. The song ends with her telling the audience where she currently is and how she doesn't want to be there either. This song has a strong theme all the way through that conveys a relatable theme while being wrapped in a memorable song. It captures why we love I Want songs with a bit of a comedic edge that works to its advantage. This song tells a story fitting into a good length that it does not drag on, it repeats phrases and ideas but does it well. It adds new information while repeating old information in a great way.

If you want a great I want song, this one is a must to be added to the list, this show has some hidden gems and some great songs. Sometimes shows that only you know of can hold some of your favorite songs, and shows that might be forgotten have elements worth remembering. 

Paulette, King George, And The Art Of Good Comic Relief

 We all need a laugh sometimes, and a good musical will give you one, whether the base show is a comedy and everyone is cracking jokes, or is more serious and the role is given to just one character. Comic relief can help break the tension but also when done well add a change of pace without being a distraction. At their worst they can derail the story, distract, or make the audience lose interest. But we are going to save the worst for another day, today I want to talk about when a musical does comic relief right as well as given an example or two. The kind that leave you laughing long after their scene ends, that leave a lasting impression or could even be your favorite part of the show. But first let's dive a little deeper into what makes good comic relief. 

Good comic relief is the kind that a character could have even just one scene and steal the show. They are not overacting or trying too hard, they are just in their element, they could even be unaware what they are doing could be considered funny. They could just be living their day to day life and deliver a line that hits with the audience but to them is not out of character and makes sense to them. They will either do something that seems crazy to us, or say something super witty, but to them it will be just how they view the world, it adds to the show instead of take away from it. It gives you a moment to laugh and breath when things are tense, or if the show is comedic it keeps the energy up and the mood light. Comedy can shift the mood when needed or keep the mood where it needs to be when done right.

My first example is Paulette from Legally Blonde. The show is full of comedic characters, and everyone has a great line or a funny moment. So how does she stand out besides getting added stage time and being a crucial piece to the plot. She adds to the leads journey and the lead adds to hers making it a great friendship. A great comedic relief is one with purpose, Paulette has her own problems, her own storyline, and her own dreams that play out alongside Elle's. She helps progress the plot, has her own story line that does not subtract and adds to some of the themes of the show. Yes she is a just a character whos storyline was already shown in the movie this is based on, but the musical expands her character so much more. She gets a lot more screen time, and some songs that are also super funny besides moving the plot along.

Another necessary part of comedic relief is that they are more then just jokes. Some can be only comedic and work, but the more stage time they get, the more they need to show why there are there. Sometimes the plot can be overshadowed in favor of jokes, so a good character moves the story along while making you laugh. It can cause the audience to remember the story and the moment, while not just spilling exposition. 

My other example for today is King George III from Hamilton. Though he is not on stage at all times, he leaves in impact when he does. He is used to not only have a light and fun way of showing the English side of the revolution but to prepare for the next big story beats. He conveys information all while putting his opinion and spin on the plot so far. When he arrives he makes the scene his own, and his songs are always in character. He may be dispensing information crucial to the plot, even as an outsider, or how it affects him. Never breaking character he shares his thoughts even after his involvement in the plot has shifted away from the conflict of act one. He reappears even after his time with the plot is done to remind the audience he is still there, and wants them to know it, which leaves a great impact. His songs are not only incredibly well made, but also reflect his style, never changing so even though the musical style is the same his thoughts change. Using a layer of familiarity before delivering a great punchline. 

That is another great sign of a great comedic character, when they have balance of the familiar and the surprise. They can lull the audience into thinking they know where the punchline is going only to go in the opposite direction for a great comedic pay off. Whether in song or in the dialogue, comedic relief is essential, whether to move the plot along while making us laugh, or giving us a much needed break from the action, when done well they can stay with you long after the curtain call. 

September Announcement! StreamTember!

 This September I will be covering all sorts of musicals but there is one rule, they have to be on a streaming service, whether it is on Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, or a series on Apple TV. The Tony Awards are digital only and I wanted to cover all sorts of digital musicals whether they be a stage adaptation, a film, or a concert. There is even a streaming service just for Broadway musicals that I could look into or even later on for fun. But that is going to be the theme so that is something to look forward, there will still be song deep dives, because even if the album is on Spotify that is technically a streaming service for music. Now back to our regularly scheduled content, thank you for reading, and have a fantastic day. 

Waiting For Life (Once On This Island)

 It is time to dive into another song, this one from Once On This Island with a wonderful song called Waiting For Life. This song is not only a great listen, but a great example of an "I Want" song in a show. For those who do not know an "I Want" song is usually used by the main character to share their hopes, dreams, feelings, and goals to the audience. Usually wanting to be away from their current environment and dreaming of something bigger, a song that can not only encapsulate wanting something more but can relate to the audience. So with all of that out of the way, let's dance through this wonderful song.

The song begins with dreaming of something bigger, and how the feeling is felt even by nature itself wanting more saying " Even the fish in the sea are wishing to fly". The dreaming lead uses the nature around her as her example in a fantastic, before turning her desires into a prayer, asking for something big. Asking for so much more, before returning to the reality she is in which is not what she desires.

She proceeds to examine her environment talking about her mother and people who live by, and how they have settled into life looking this way. She proceeds to describe a mystery stranger who has yet to appear but when he does he will able to take her on the adventure she seeks. An expert use of setting the scene and describing how the character is feeling in a couple lines, continuing the sentiment from earlier.

The song slows, and becomes a sentimental slower melody as it returns to a prayer, going deeper into her desires asking to be remembered saying " Don't single me out and then forget me". The melody then picks up and swells as it draws to its closing, where she demands to be shown why she is alive, asking to fly and reach places where no one has been. Saying " You tell me to wait, well I am waiting, Waiting for life to begin". Encapsulating the feel of this song and drawing it to a perfect close. Setting the scene and setting up for the plot to take place, a perfect " I Want" song. 

The ensemble is used so well as well, providing background vocals perfectly setting a cozy yet upbeat song that feels so welcoming. The lead is taking the stage but the rest of the cast provides great background singing to bring the whole piece together. A song that wants and longs for more, the melody of this song is perfect. It changes pace so naturally, and slows down to create an unforgettable moment before picking up and wrapping up the song. The instrumentation is fantastic, with all the pieces together making an unforgettable song, a must listen from a great revival of a show. 

The Music Man

 This is a cast album that I have revisited a couple times a year since about 2012 when I discovered it, one of the first classic, golden age musicals that kept my attention, the songs were fun, enjoyable and full of charm. Not every song was my favorite but the some of them really stood out to me. It has been some time since I have given this show a listen, so today I am looking at the original Broadway production helmed by Robert Preston and Barbara Cook as the two leads in this comedic romp set in a small town in the Midwest. With a revival still potentially on the way I wanted to look at this one, so let's dive in. 

This plot entails a con artist by the name of Harold Hill as he tries to trick a small town into starting a marching band, when he gets the money, he teaches barely any music and runs off with the profits. He falls in love with Marian, the local librarian who is aware of his plans from day one. Some of the subject matter, views, and songs of this show are a tad dated. Some parts age like a fine wine and others not so much, some are a double edged sword. Such as having a female lead be the smartest in town but dedicate both of her solo songs to falling in love. This show is classic in both style and sound, there is quite a bit of good in this show but I wanted to address that first. 

Some of the songs are lyrical masterpieces, " Ya Got Trouble" and " Seventy Six Trombones" to name a few. The songs can weave jokes, charm, and character all encapsulated in a catchy tune. Though some of the song themes in this show repeat a tad too much. Namely the barbershop quartets, first used a joke, the joke wears thin about the fourth time it is done. Some of the songs are great listens and are fun, but I find myself skipping a decent amount as well. There is plenty of fun to be had, but some of the songs feel unnecessary and aimless for the plot. Some of the songs featuring the town add some character to the town but there is a slight balance problem. The show needed a bit more focus on a couple side characters as well as our female lead. 

There are a few different versions of this show, some versions even carrying cast members over from Broadway, but I stuck with the original cast album. Plenty of the songs are bouncy, fun, and enjoyable, some of the jokes just wear thin a little bit. The ensemble is great but sometimes they get a bit too much screen time. The show has a few balancing issues but still has plenty of good in it, and with some minor edits would be amazing. If My Fair Lady can get a few changes why not make this classic from good to great. Here are the songs I find myself listening to from this show. The ensemble sometimes is used fantastically while other times used in ways that don't advance the story, make that many jokes, or really fit in, but I found myself liking more then half the album. 

Rock Island

Ya Got Trouble

Piano Lessons

Goodnight My Someone

Seventy Six Trombones

Sincere 

Pick A Little Talk A Little

Marian The Librarian (My Favorite Song)

Will I Tell Him/ Lida Rose

Finale

This show is a classic and should be celebrated, but flaws aside still has some amazing music in it. When the songs hit the lyrics and melody just right the songs are unforgettable. The songs when done right can be full of character, charm, and even humor. Not every joke lands but they sometimes shine through. This show is wonderful time capsule and piece of the classic era. Give it a listen, you may find some favorites.

Final Rating: Chip On My Shoulder (7-8 Out Of Ten)