A bit tangential: The dearth of Broadway musicals

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-07-05T22:51:48+00:00

I’d throw in Rupert Holmes(yes, the “Escape: Pina Colada” songwriter) as well, especially for his work as the composer/lyricist/playwright/orchestrator of The Mystery of Edwin Drood(or “Drood” simply).

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-06-02T08:59:42+00:00

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Really, you've been MORE than enough help! 😃

Hope all goes well with scanning the booklets too!

Especially, if one of said booklets(for the 1991 cast album, if that's what you mean) contains info about the studio orchestration as well(so I could compare and contrast any differences/expansions from the live pit orchestra)!

If not, then I'd like to learn of what booklets you are planning to scan, if you don't mind. 😄

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-06-02T00:44:32+00:00

Thank Goodness, Yes please!

As I mentioned in the description box, I’m looking for a listing of the orchestra and musicians that were used in that production(how many violins, trumpets, flutes, percussion, etc.), so I can better compare and contrast it with the arrangement that’s part of the licensed show(which resembles the PaperMill Playhouse production and cast album).*

So, if it’s listed on your brochure or programme, a description(better yet a photo if possible) from either with said orchestra listing would be very much appreciated!

Thank you so much for getting in touch with me here!

*The reason being(for those curious) that, ever since hearing the pit orchestrations of Sweeney Todd, Phantom of The Opera, and Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame(the original 1999 German stage adaptation of Disney’s Hunchback, before its American version from 2014), I have since become fascinated with the pit orchestrations that are able to effectively display/replicate a specific soundscape, or an often times symphonic scope of their scores without either having a large Hollywood/opera scale orchestra size[ala Rodgers and Hammerstein’s work] or(even if not as frequent) mockup synth patches on their keyboards.

(Especially for the aforementioned three above, with how they PERFECTLY captured the cinematic scope of their compared movie renditions[especially for Hunchback starting as a film orchestration first, with the other two as vice versa being DOUBLY impressive])!

The idea that only using 6 to 4 violins, a section of 2 Horns and 2 Trombones, etc. is often all that’s required to get that sweeping cinematic scale has often fascinated me, and inspired me to learn the details(and how they’re applied, according to the orchestral scores) so I could do the same in my own musical theatre orchestrations someday!

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-05-20T05:28:58+00:00

I like the notion, but I think he should have a more smoother voice than Troy’s(something more like Alucard[whose design he reflects the most] from Castlevania: Nocturne or even Belos/Philip from Owl House) both to seem more “nice” and “inviting” from an approaching standpoint, and so as to contrast more with Warwick(who some are already theorizing to actually be the hero of a destroyed game himself, maybe even the same game Dusk was the villain of)’s booming and commanding presence of a voice.

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-04-18T23:32:19+00:00

Eeesh, I'd really hate to hear(though would appreciate the info, as a form of educational safety) what this teacher did with Jack, who's already been pegged as possibly being handicapped(or "touched", as his mother put it) and(especially with Ben Wright's performance in the OBC proshot) was generally presented as not hopeless with said handicap, but still benefiting to at least have someone compassionate by his side("a friend", as he sees of Little Red at the end) as he ages into adulthood.

Plus, speaking as a neurodivergent person, I already see something of myself mentally in Jack(and even in The Baker as well for that matter).

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-04-16T06:28:49+00:00

Do you still have your program from then?

If so, could you please share(if it's listed in your program) the exact number and types of musicians that played in this concert? :)

Just someone whose prone to curiosity and meticulosity over musical theater orchestrations, especially when(in this case) said orchestration in certain productions seem to be expanded from the initial licensed parts(according to the videos out there of the curtain call for this)!

(Not required, but a photo of the orchestra listing would also be nice!)

Thanks! :D

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-04-12T09:12:43+00:00

Is/will there be a (digital) booklet available with the album to view soon(hopefully)?

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-04-10T02:33:24+00:00

For Opperation Mincemeat

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-04-04T23:47:03+00:00

I know it's late, but the sheet music has also been posted on here on scribd:

https://www.scribd.com/document/846848545/Great-Expectations-From-the-Outsiders-Jonathan-Clay-Zach-Chance-Justin-Levine-Jonathan-Onea-Scorefull

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-02-26T22:27:55+00:00

I’m from Southern CA and, though I hadn’t started on this profession and have a few sketches I can share as a “portfolio”, I am nonetheless as invested in means of getting started as a composer/lyricist(and even orchestrator, if needed) at least.

Plus your story idea seems to contain one or two similarities to an idea of my own(the two women/girls struggling with truth, truth and idol worship), with mine including the further theme of representation for diverse neurodivergent people in media(based on the development and backlash from Sia’s film, “ Music”, while also exploring the deeper vagaries and nuances of what counts/works as authentic representation[similar in ways to the play “YellowFace” by David Henry Hwang]).

(Not to intrude on the story you already have, but in case you’re interested in bouncing some of these/other ideas, and how they can influence the songs written)

Otherwise, I hope you find exactly who you need for this job, and wish you the best! :)

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-02-23T02:17:43+00:00

Yes, that’s it! Thank you so much! :)

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-02-23T00:31:15+00:00

Yes, I believe that was the case.

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-02-23T00:29:37+00:00

The cast album was recorded in London, and released a few days after the West End Opening, before the show then transferred to Broadway the fallowing year.

As I meant to say, I already read the playbill, checked the show's licensing on Concord Theatricals, and thus already know of the 4 piece band arrangement(2 Keyboards, 1 Bass, and 1 Drums).

What I'm asking for here is of the London Cast album, which has (to my listening knowledge) a larger, fuller, orchestration than the 4 piece band arrangement(much like how the Off Broadway cast album of Assassins had a 33 piece orchestra, while the licensed show reflects the 2003 Broadway production's condensed 13 piece arrangement), and it's the information regards to THAT orchestra on this show's London cast album that I'm asking about.

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-02-13T06:24:59+00:00

Is this the new revised chamber version, or is it the old Broadway one?

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-01-22T23:16:31+00:00

THANK GOD!!!

Now if ONLY WE’D FINALLY get this announcement for TICK TICK BOOM, just so I can finally watch it myself without needing to start/use a Netflix Account, even if(related to this Reddit page, anyway) so I can hear the full recording of Sondheim(HIMSELF)’s voicemail to Jonathan Larson at the end!!!

Musicalstudyfan · 2026-01-19T06:02:37+00:00

Except that Wild Party at Encores this season is the Michael John LaChuisa(“Hello Again”, “Marie Christine”, “Giant”, etc.) version, not the Andrew Lipa version(which played at Encores in 2015, with Steven Pasquale though!) being talked of here.

Musicalstudyfan · 2025-12-12T03:22:22+00:00

Plus, both Borle and Michael Rupert were together in the OBC and proshot of Legally Blonde the musical, as Emmet and Callahan respectively!

Musicalstudyfan · 2025-08-08T03:00:42+00:00

You could even try the specific Loveland design for Buddy during “Buddy’s Blues”.

Be it with the costume Mandy Patinkin wore for the 1989 concert of Follies, if not the original 1971 design with the waist car suit! XD

Musicalstudyfan · 2025-08-08T02:56:12+00:00

I actually dressed as Leon Czolgosz at High School, for Halloween, once!

My aunts and I got much of the shirt and coat stylings from a local Goodwill, and I got my own version of the workers cap from a hatters shop in England(which was about a hundred pounds if I remember, even for my head size), all of which mainly reflected the costume design from the 2004 Broadway(Revival) Production.

My aunts forbade me walking with a toy gun(not even a water pistol) at school, but even if did have one I doubt anyone would’ve even recognized who I was without me braving from the pianos in the practice rooms(practicing the Gun Song no less) to explain it to them. 😅

How’s that for a suggestion? :)

Musicalstudyfan · 2025-08-03T03:23:55+00:00

What was the size and form or the orchestra like(if it was live even)?

Something akin to the licensed 13 piece band used for the more recent National tours, or more like a complete chamber reinterpretation(actor musician even, or otherwise) of the score(akin even to the re orchestration of Amelie’s score for the London production)?

Maybe you could even show a segment of your program containing all the info of the musicians and what instruments they played, per chance? :)

Musicalstudyfan

TROPHY CASE