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Stephen Sondheim's Putting It Together - A Musical Review

Stephen Sondheim's Putting It Together - A Musical Review

List Price: $19.95
Your Price: $17.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Who did the audio?
Review: I was enjoying this show until the second act. The audio falls out often after that. How they can sell it seemed to be beyond me. Still it is a record of a B'way show. As far as I am concerned every B'way should be preserved before it closes. I am all for preserving the performences and staging, leaving it for future generations to enjoy. "Is anybody there? Does anybody care?" Lets save it for prosperity and for those who can't afford to get to NYC to see it!! There might be profits to be made after the show closes!!!!!!! Especially if the audio remains after the first act.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A classy and elegant production
Review: I was riveted to this production, from Bronson Pinchot's opening number, to a stunning ensemble finale of "Being Alive"...which was beautifully arranged and orchestrated. I'm a big Sondheim fan, and this is an absolute must for anybody who appreciates this musical theatre giant. The DVD is terrific quality, and includes a really funny on-stage blooper, and an interview with Carole Burnett.

The performances were all very good, but Ruthie Henshall and John Barrowman steal the show as the young couple. Both are stunning to watch, and their voices soar. Ruthie shines in "Sooner or Later". John Barrowman sings "Pretty Women", and in a surprising twist, takes the character Sweeney Todd's part, while George Hearn takes the back seat and sings the judges' part. Carole Burnett demonstrates her wicked comedic talent in a slowed-down version of "Getting MArried Today", but also shows dramatic depth in "Could I Leave You?" and "Everyday a Little Death". Vocally, she's not as strong as the other cast members, but it is forgivable. George Hearn and Bronson Pinchot were the weaker links in the production. George Hearn reverted to talk singing too much for my liking, although when he decided to sing properly, he was in fine voice. Bronson Pinchot has less opportunity to shine than the rest of the cast members.

Overall, an excellent DVD, highly recommended.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simply A Reply
Review: I'd just like to stand up for one of the best arrangement of songs in a show. I disagree with the last response given. And to that I'd like to say, if you don't want a musical review... don't buy this. That's what you're getting here: Songs, taken out of the given circumstances of a show, and put into an order deemed appropriate. It's made very clear that there isn't a strong plot line... hense it being a "Musical Review." What plot line is there is obviously there to tie the songs together. If you can't appreciate it for what it is, don't bash it for what it isn't.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simply A Reply
Review: I'd just like to stand up for one of the best arrangement of songs in a show. I disagree with the last response given. And to that I'd like to say, if you don't want a musical review... don't buy this. That's what you're getting here: Songs, taken out of the given circumstances of a show, and put into an order deemed appropriate. It's made very clear that there isn't a strong plot line... hense it being a "Musical Review." What plot line is there is obviously there to tie the songs together. If you can't appreciate it for what it is, don't bash it for what it isn't.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Carol, George, John, Ruthie, Bronson..............Sondheim!
Review: No more needs to be said. And the audio sounds great to me.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Carol, George, John, Ruthie, Bronson..............Sondheim!
Review: No more needs to be said. And the audio sounds great to me.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Whole New World
Review: Other than commercally successful Sondheim (Send In The Clowns), or West Side Story, this show opened my eyes and heart to a whole new world of beauty, humor, poignancy and wisdom. The song I could not turn away from was Good Thing Going; when Carol Burnett teared up clasping George Hearn's hands singing Old Friends my heart understood; the exquisite depth of Every Day A Little Death; the lyrics, the actors, especially Burnett and Hearn, the wise, warm and compassionate way the bittersweet experiences of Life and Love and Loss are offered: in listening, the heart swells, in understanding, the heart expands.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Music! Cute Actor! Need I say more?
Review: Stephen Sondheim's Putting It Together rocks! The music leaves you in awe the cast is surely the best revival of the class show I love John Barrowman's version's of Marry Me A Little, Pretty Women, of course his short song That's The Answer For me. Ruthie Henshall surely pulls off some of the most diffculust songs my favorties from her are I Always Get My Men, Lovely, More, and Unworthy Of Your Love. George Hern numbers are slow and steady that's how I like them favorties from him that I like are Hello Little Girl, Rich And Happy, and What Do You Want To Get Married For? Carol Burnett's are comical and stunning especially her versions of I'm Not Getting Married Today, How Could I Leave You?, Lovely, and My Husaband The Pig. Bronson Pinchot is one of the best for last his best numbers are Bang! and that's all! The best group numbers are Being Alive, Putting It Together, Let The Good Times Roll, Rich and Happy # 4. My favortie cast member is John Barrowman he is a stud, golden-voice, well dressed, perfect hair actor. Being Alive is such a good number in the production nobody can pull off five people singing at once and we can still hear what they are singing. Beside the Music and The Cast the blooper sounds very funny John Barrowman laughing and kicking his heels up after Carol's strap broke right on stage. Buy the DVD it is a guarntee that you won't be sorry if you do.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Putting It Together - Another Sondheim Songfest
Review: Take the songs of Stephen Sondheim and put them together into a revue format with really no storyline to propel them and you have Putting It Together. Another in a long line of Sondeim Revues. This production is a reworked version of an earlier incarnation that starred Julie Andrews several years back. This time the cast includes Carol Burnett, George Hern, John Barrowman and Ruthie Henshall and Bronson Pinchot.

Burnett and Hearn play an older married couple to Barrowman and Henshall's younger couple intracting at a cocktail party. The two couples sing with each other, with their spouse and solo. Pinchot comments and introduces each section of songs with usually one word like "Love". The songs themselves usually comment on the persons state of mind or observation on that subject and can go from funny to poignant. Each of the leads has their moment the spotlight and each shines brightly. Sondheim has commented that each of his songs is like its own little play and his melodies can be haunting. His words can often be complex and may require multiple listenings to really appreciate what they have to offer. Watch how sometimes the singers words and the music tell two different stories.

It is great to see Burnett return to her roots on stage and Hearn, a veteren of Sondheim musicals, is in fine voice. Barrowman and Henshall are better known for their work in Britian but are great as well. Pinchot can sing and while his in and out of scenes can get annoying, he keeps things moving. The big question I guess is: Who would enjoy this DVD? This is a must have for any diehard Sondheim fan or collector of Broadway Musicals. I think the average viewer might have trouble staying focused after awhile as there is only so much Sondheim a person can digest, especially without a story to connect with. Even this Sondheim fan,who knew all the songs, got distracted after awhile. Burnett fans should beware, this is not the Carol Burnett of her variety series. She is excellent in this but is more reserved than you may be used to seeing

Filmed in front of an audience over several performances, it is nice to see that producers are filming musicals for home viewing. This way many of us can see some great performances and shows that we might not have been able to otherwise. One of the highlights of the DVD is the extra scene where Carol Burnett loses her skirt at the opening of Act 2 during one of the days of filming. Very funny and very Carol Burnett.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: No Chance
Review: The DVD came through damaged, and I don't know how to get a replacement. I haven't played Putting It Together because of the crack in it. I'd appreciate it if someone would replace it for me. Laurence W. Thomas, 174 Greenside, Ypsilanti, MI., 48197


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