I guess I've been reluctant because in my experience, plays/shows/movies about paintings = kinda dull. :) But I'll move it up on my list of things to listen to next. The only other Sondheim I've watched in full is "Passion", and all I could think at the end of it was how much I hated Donna Murphy's character.

That's a fun link, except for the part where they labeled the Liz Calloway number as "Pretty Woman." No. Also, the NPH clip needed to be a bazillion times longer - I never would have guessed that he was doing Joanne and not Maureen. Love it.

I'm a big Sondheim fan and "Passion" is not my favorite at all. I'd start more with "Merrily We Roll Along" (which is my favorite Sondheim), "Sweeney Todd", and "Sunday in the Park" since they are somewhat more accessible scores. Also, "Into the Woods".

I think Passion is his least immediately accessible score though it's repays multiple listens. While Follies and Company aren't my faves, I think they're good introductions because they have such a wide range of styles so you're bound to like some of the songs!

I was clearing out my cupboard full of off-air videos yesterday and I nearly dumped an unlabelled one without checking it. Lucky I didn't because it turned out to have the Sam Mendes version Company with Adrian Lester as Bobby.

I saw the Lincoln Centre staging of Passion (with Patti LuPone, Michael Cervais and Audra McDonald) on pbs a couple of years ago and I though it was quite haunting. I think though you actually need to see it to appreciate it. I dont think I would have liked it had I just heard it.

They would have definitely helped. I watched the DVD of it, and not only did I hate Donna Murphy's character, I thought the guy's voice was whiny sounding.

That reminds me, I recently got the 2005 Sweeney Todd Revival recording, and I think that may be my favorite. I love Michael Cervaris in it. His voice is so deeep.

Try the PBS one. It was released on DVD so you could find it somewhere. I love him and that version of Sweeney Todd too.

And I have to say I used to love "Sunday in the Park with George" when I was a kid. My aunt had the video of the production with Mandy Patinken and Bernadette Peters and I used to watch that and the filmed "Into the Woods" like an addict.

I'm seeing Gypsy and South Pacific in NY in a couple of weeks. So excited - I've never seen Gypsy on stage before (not sure it's been done in London since the revial with Angela Lansbury in the 1970s). Has anyone seen these productions? And what's Curtains like? Was thinking of seeing that on my spare evening in NY.

I saw Sam Mendes' version of Gypsy and LOVED it. That being said I am insanely jealous that you get to go see South Pacific as thats the show I really want to go see.

And Company is on tonight. I'm taping it cause I'm a geek.

I already have the leaked version that will be aired tonight of Company and it is gorgeous. I'm taping it in high def!

I saw the present national tour of Gypsy, so I'm not sure if I'll shell out to see Patti. I did not see Curtains, but my parents described it as being enjoyable but somewhat forgettable. I'm still sore that David Hyde Pierce won the Tony over Raul... (Seriously, WATCH COMPANY!)

When are you seeing South Pacific, psammead? We're going on March 30th. I am so excited about it!

I wasnt like sad that David Hyde Pierce won, I like him a lot, but he was my third choice (behind Raul, and Jonathan Groff).

I just "acquired" a recording of Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince performing Sweeney Todd in its entirety as an audition for their financial backers and it is amazing.

*cough* PM me about it if you are interested...

I love hearing Sondheim do his own material because he gets SO into it, but he also explains exactly what's supposed to be happening on stage throughout.

Sondheim Sings volumes 1 and 2 are the two best CD's I own, no joke. I always end up preferring his performances to the cast recordings.

I do too! I love his performance of "The Glamorous Life" when he's doing all the different parts.

I like the first one, especially Everybody Ought to Have a Maid, but you have to admit that it's not a complete mystery why most of the songs on the second cd didn't end up in proper shows.

Wednesday after next. Yay! Very excited about both that and Gypsy.