Happiness indeed Happiness indeed

The nail-biting adventures of Voltaire’s titular hero Candide are hardly more circuitous than those faced by Leonard Bernstein’s 1956 Broadway musical adaptation.

If you could see it through my eyes If you could see it through my eyes

Each successive version pushed the envelope further… and was less effective.

They trod a path that many have trod They trod a path that many have trod

Sweeney Todd is by any measure a triumphant show, the kind that makes an audience understand why Broadway is American theater’s gold standard

Hate-watch Hate-watch

I can’t imagine anyone watching this two-hour schlockfest at home and then dropping $150 for the privilege to see it again, masked and in an uncomfortable chair.

What’s my motivation? What’s my motivation?

Wagner must intrude at some point because he invented film music.

Pie à la mode Pie à la mode

Stephen Sondheim turns 90 on Sunday, prompting Trove Thursday to present his most “operatic” work, Sweeney Todd, in a rare 2002 performance with Christine Baranski and Brian Stokes Mitchell as the murderous duo.

Razors, edge Razors, edge

Curtis Opera ventured Sweeney Todd.

Musical theater of the absurd Musical theater of the absurd

It’s easy to see why Leonard Bernstein’s Candide was a flop when it premiered on Broadway.

Will you tell me what it’s all for? Will you tell me what it’s all for?

“Good God—an adult musical!”

Each in her style a Delilah reborn Each in her style a Delilah reborn

Forty-five years ago today, Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant, frustrating Follies played its first Broadway preview at the Winter Garden Theatre.

Cherubino jumps the shark Cherubino jumps the shark

Homer, inspired by many a muse, sang not of sequels to his Iliad.