Talk:Curtains (musical)

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Is the list of musical numbers correct? It differs substantially from the original cast recording. Of course smaller numbers might be omitted from the cd, but the order is different as well. Can someone shed light on the subject? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.174.188.70 (talk) 18:23, 10 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This article was a copyvio of the talkin' broadway source so I deleted all the text and rewrote it as a stub.-Dmz5*Edits**Talk* 03:54, 24 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I cleaned up the article, added more info re: the original LA production, removed the premature infobox for the Broadway production (which had a distorted photo and incorrect opening night date), and added a template indicating this is an upcoming play. SFTVLGUY2 15:32, 24 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, if you don't mind I'm going to remove some of the reviews, as it sort of makes the article seem a tad spammy. I think one line from one prominent review is enough.-Dmz5*Edits**Talk* 05:05, 25 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I added info for the new Broadway cast! - NathanLaneFan!

I am removing the LA cast list, which was added to the article before the Broadway cast was announced. It no longer holds the relevance it did at the time it first was included. SFTVLGUY2 21:59, 23 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

An editor has deleted the following language from the article: "Curtains is a send-up, and an amalgam, of "back-stage murder mystery" plots, and its book and score are evocative of musicals from the '40s and '50s." He says it is POV. However, I think it is a factual description of the nature of the show, supported by the newspaper reviews. I think it is useful for a reader to understand that this is a send-up of the "backstage murder mystery" genre of musicals, and that the book and score are in the style of the old-fashioned, "golden age of musicals", instead of some of the more contemporary sounds and plots that one finds in rock musicals, Elton John musicals, Wicked, etc. Does anyone else have an opinion on this? Regards, -- Ssilvers 15:48, 2 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I am inclined to agree with you. I saw Curtains a few weeks ago. It is a merely factual description of the score and book of the show -- they are clearly referencing the Broadway of yesterday. John Kander himself has said in interviews that "Curtains" is "a Valentine to old Broadway." The intention of the creators is clear, and I think the above statement should go back in the article. Broadwaygal 19:08, 2 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. I just found this article that quotes Kander as saying, "This is the closest thing to an old-fashioned musical comedy that Fred and I ever wrote"[1]. Also, see this nytheatre.com review, March 21, 2007: Remember those crazy, silly backstage movie musicals of the '30s and '40s? ...Curtains really is the improbable miraculous musical of

Busby Berkley's imaginations. -- Ssilvers 19:29, 2 April 2007 (UTC)[reply

]

Broadwaygal??? No user page, no discussion page, no previous contributions, but she suddenly appears from nowhere to give you support. Very odd indeed. I hardly think an opinion offered by such an individual carries any weight.

You hit the nail on the head with the comment "supported by the newspaper reviews." What is a review if not someone's POV? If you wish to quote one with a reference, fine, but don't incorporate the description into an encyclopedia article as if it's fact. SFTVLGUY2 19:47, 2 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Do you deny that the piece is "a send-up of "back-stage murder mystery" plots, and its book and score are evocative of musicals from the '40s and '50s"? If so, you have not seen it. -- Ssilvers 19:58, 2 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Please cite at least one of all the sources you claim say Holmes completely rewrote rather than completed the project. That none of the original book remains in the finished work seems highly unlikely. SFTVLGUY2 20:10, 2 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Sure. See "... based on and idea by... Stone"; and ""Holmes ...joined the project in 2003 and did a complete rewrite, using many of Stone's characters. The referenced Post review says, "Rupert Holmes ...was brought aboard to provide a new book and devise additional lyrics." They all say the same thing. None of them say that he "completed" the book. -- Ssilvers 20:16, 2 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The sleeve notes for the Original Broadway Cast CD are fairly clear that the book was very extensively re-written by Holmes. He describes a meeting with Kander and Ebb when he suggests to them that the period be changed from contemporary to "golden age". He fully expected to be shown the door, but they took the suggestion on board. The intent was also to keep all/most musical numbers. Whether every single word was a re-write I couldn't say without comparing 2 scripts. The article in question was authored by Rupert Holmes himself but presumably was acceptable to the production team. Make of this what you will. 85.210.131.245 17:49, 23 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]