Write Around The Corner // Beth Turnbull

The 70s has been an interesting mix so far, some shows feel modern and groundbreaking but a lot sound exactly like the cookie-cutter shows we had in the 50s. For perspective, Hair, which was a crazy show at the time, was years ago at this point in 1968.  I have also now listened to 175 shows so far this year so I'm feeling a bit looney. Let's dive in.  A Little Night Music Have I heard of it before? Yes, I liked a few of the songs but never listened to the full show until now.  Did I enjoy it? Yes, I actually loved this show and it will be in my regular rotation now. Classic Sondheim.  Synopsis: In the turn of the century Sweden, trysts abound. The lawyer Fredrik Egerman has married the virginal 18-year old Anne, with whom Fredrik’s son, the melancholy academic Henrik, has fallen in love. Desiree Armfeldt, a stage actress of great beauty (and a reputation for taking on as many lovers as she does theatrical roles) is involved with the buffoonish Count Carl Magnus...

Hi all. I've been falling behind on these because I've actually been leaving the house and seeing friends! Who would've thought? Every decade has been better than the last so I'm excited to keep working my way through the 70s. Let's dive in.  Part two coming later today. Two Gentleman of Verona Have I heard of it before? The play yes, not the musical Did I enjoy it? Very forgettable music Synopsis: Two Gentlemen of Verona is a rock musical, with a book by John Guare and Mel Shapiro, lyrics by Guare and music by Galt MacDermot, based on the Shakespeare comedy of the same name. (Wikipedia) Favorite song: I Am Not Interested in Love Inner City Have I heard of it before? Nope Did I enjoy it? No but the plot seems interesting in theory  Synopsis: Based on Eve Merriam’s The Inner City Mother Goose, it dealt with the classic nursery rhymes repertory, suffused with social protest attitudes that were not in the original, the whole thing set to music by Helen Miller, and dire...

Welcome back friends, if you're still here I know you truly love me, so thanks for that. This will be an incredibly short post because the last post was incredibly long and I am not good at planning these out.  However, these shows actually have something to offer (unlike many we discussed last week) - so things are looking up! In other musical theatre news, last week I watched both Dreamgirls (rent on Prime) and Once Upon A Mattress (free on Disney Plus) for the first time and really enjoyed both movies! Gotta keep up my movie musical knowledge too! Plus, several Broadway shows are re-opening on my birthday - it's got to be some kind of sign. Anyway. Let's dive in.  Follies Have I heard of it before? Yes Did I enjoy it? Yes! I knew about a third of the songs prior to this but after a full listen I'm a true fan.  Synopsis: It is 1971, and the iconic Weismann Theater, now a crumbling shell of its former glory, is about to be demolished to provide precious New York Cit...

Remember when I said last week was light? I had a big storm coming and the 12 shows in this post really took it out of me. Don't get me wrong there were gems buried within, but I don't know what was going on between 1968-1971 but it seems like there were a lot of flops. Enticed to read on? Let's go.  The Fig Leaves Are Falling Have I heard of it before? No Did I enjoy it? Not really Synopsis: The Fig Leaves Are Falling is a musical with a book and lyrics by Allan Sherman and music by Albert Hague. It was inspired by Sherman's 1966 divorce following 21 years of marriage. (Wikipedia) Favorite song: Something Special Know As We Celebration Have I heard of it before? Nope Did I enjoy it? Also no Synopsis: It is New Year's Eve and a young Orphan wanders into the home of the richest man in the world with the goal of convincing him to save the orphanage. Mr. Rich declares that if the orphan boy can help him feel emotion once again, the orphanage will be restored. All is go...