I’ve
been on an Ahrens & Flaherty kick lately, and this show has some astounding
numbers. Ahrens & Flaherty are an
interesting composing duo. To me, they’re
a bit uneven – each score I’ve heard of theirs has at least a few forgettable
songs – but when they’re on, they’re incredibly on. Here are my favorites
from A Man of No Importance. (Fun fact:
all five are from Act I; this show is seriously frontloaded.)
“A Man of No Importance” – Yet another
spectacular opening number from these two.
This song sets the stage, introduces the major characters, and hints at
conflicts/themes to come. That, and it’s
gorgeous, modern Broadway with an
Irish flair – a great introduction to the score.
Best
line: “A handful of people with journeys
to make, / Leaving the everyday world in their wake…”
“Princess” – Alfie has decided that his new
acquaintance Adele is perfect for the title role in his community production of
Salome. In this song, Adele argues with him, pointing
out how unremarkable she is. At the same
time, the number reveals her deep-down desire to escape the quiet desperation
of her work-a-day, provincial existence.
The violins are exquisite.
Best
line: “I don’t pretend to be a thing but
plain and common. / When you’re brought up in Roscommon, what’s the use
pretending? / I leave the fairytale ending to the people such as you.”
“The Streets of Dublin” – This song just
radiates life, as Robbie shows Alfie the simple pleasures he enjoys on the city
streets. With its soaring melody and exuberant
earnestness, it’s a song perfectly devised to show why Alfie is in love with
Robbie. The triumphant repetitions of
the final line give me chills – just a beautiful, beautiful song.
Best
line: “The lamps in the park / Look like
God in the dark / As they glow / On the streets of Dublin.”
“Man in the Mirror” – This important
song sidles in with little fanfare. It’s
fitting, though, because Alfie is the same way – it makes sense that the first
private admission of his sexuality comes in a quiet, wistful number. Here, he gives tentative voice to the
feelings he’s denied his whole life and invokes the spirit of his hero Oscar Wilde,
who was as brave as Alfie longs to be.
Best
line: “Where is my golden love? / Where
but in musty plays?”
(Yes, I'm recycling this picture - turns out it's super hard to find production photos from A Man of No Importance.)
“Love Who You Love” – Probably the
biggest theme number in the show. As
Adele fears the whispers of those who might judge her “impropriety,” Alfie
gently encourages her to pay them no mind, telling her that she can’t help who
with loves. Coming from a deeply
closeted man, it’s of course full of emotionally-charged irony, but it’s also
so simple and honest, you can’t help but root for Alfie to take his own advice.
No comments:
Post a Comment