Profile for Lily Garland

I'd be rolling my eyes if  this was anyone other than LaChiusa. He has consistently brought life and beauty to works that many thought couldn't be adapted into musicals.  He's always thought outside of the box, and has never taken a job because of the commercial possibilities. His work is challenging, but I've never been bored at any of his shows.  

 

 I agree that the orchestrations need to have a contemporary sound here.  ==I just hope they don't suck the life out of the melody the way Doyle's did.  I'm not opposed to the show being set in modern day.  Hopefully the person doing the orchestrations lovingly handles the score with care.  

 And it would be nice to have a Bobby/Bobbie who doesn't play the role like it's Hamlet or King Lear.  

I third the LaChiusa recommendation.  He does sophistication like no other modern musical theatre composer.  Hello Again (bold, sexy, and witty, With an all-star cast of Broadway performers, "Tom" and "Mistress to the Senator" from Audra's album is from this), Wild Party (my personal favorite,  Probably his best score. And some powerhouse performances from Toni Collette, Eartha Kitt, and Tonya Pinkins, to name but a few), Marie Christine (as noted, Way Back to Paradise is from this.  It's a love it or hate it kind of affair. Audra is glorious in it, and I find the music haunting), Queen of the Mist (the show that finally gave Mary Testa a long deserved leading role in a musical.  And the show lives up to her talents), See What I Wanna See, Little Fish (though the recording is a bit lackluster), Giant (epic if a bit tedious at parts) First Lady Suite, and First Daughter Suite, are all worth checking out. The only score of his that I've struggled to warm to was Bernarda Alba.  

LaChiusa always challenges his audiences, never taking the easy route to get to the heart of the moment through song.  I think his shows will start to get praised several years from now, just as it took many ages to finally find the artistry in Sondhem's work.  LaChiusa's work many be challenging, but it's worth investing in,  And it's never dull.  He may not be a commercially successful composer, but his artistry and determination not to compromise this is what makes him one of the theatre's greatest living musical theatre writers.  

To each their own, but the mass love for this film baffles me.  Kidman's performance, and a few great moments aside, I find it to be a complete mess. I've revisited it several times, attempting to see what people love so much about it, and am always left cold (and with a headache).  I find much of it to be mocking of musicals, which is why I'm surprised so many musical lovers love it so much.