I have the original on CD as well, because I used to be a big Sondheim-fan (well, maybe I still am ;-)), but the chances of it ever being up in Sweden are miniscular, IMO, because the subject -assasins of American presidents- is too foreign.
Yes, I think it's probably one of those shows that does have a lot of things it's assumed people know...I remember on NA recently a character said, "Sic semper tyrannis," and we were discussing the use of the quote and talking about JWB and several people asked who he was--there's no reason for the name, the story or that phrase to strike the same cord in people. (They could identify the phrase, just didn't relate it primarily to that incident.) And the show doesn't give detailed backgrounds of people, it just makes references to things that are meaningful because it's history. Much easier to go with a Sondheim show that isn't dealing with a lot of real people one might not know!
For instance, one of my favourite songs: "How I saved Roosevelt", seem to be all about "how important I am".
I love that song too--actually, I think that's another reason I didn't like the other one, that I felt like the Roosevelt song was more honest that way, showing the people grabbing their spotlight whereas the other ones were all weepy and being shocked. But you're right, I should probably try to see it in that context. The McKinley people are another great example, reeling off facts about the president and wanting to shake his hand.
I think the reason I was inclined to see it the first way is I heard it was added because people thought the ending was "too cold," and I didn't agree with that. I still like the original better where it ends with the shot, but who knows? Maybe in years to come people will need that song to show why JFK's assassination was so much more important than anyone else's. I probably just thought, um, it's a show that has somebody singing, "C'mere and shoot a president." It's supposed to be cold concerning that subject!
no subject
Yes, I think it's probably one of those shows that does have a lot of things it's assumed people know...I remember on NA recently a character said, "Sic semper tyrannis," and we were discussing the use of the quote and talking about JWB and several people asked who he was--there's no reason for the name, the story or that phrase to strike the same cord in people. (They could identify the phrase, just didn't relate it primarily to that incident.) And the show doesn't give detailed backgrounds of people, it just makes references to things that are meaningful because it's history. Much easier to go with a Sondheim show that isn't dealing with a lot of real people one might not know!
For instance, one of my favourite songs: "How I saved Roosevelt", seem to be all about "how important I am".
I love that song too--actually, I think that's another reason I didn't like the other one, that I felt like the Roosevelt song was more honest that way, showing the people grabbing their spotlight whereas the other ones were all weepy and being shocked. But you're right, I should probably try to see it in that context. The McKinley people are another great example, reeling off facts about the president and wanting to shake his hand.
I think the reason I was inclined to see it the first way is I heard it was added because people thought the ending was "too cold," and I didn't agree with that. I still like the original better where it ends with the shot, but who knows? Maybe in years to come people will need that song to show why JFK's assassination was so much more important than anyone else's. I probably just thought, um, it's a show that has somebody singing, "C'mere and shoot a president." It's supposed to be cold concerning that subject!