Character Song Appreciation

[anxiousoctopus]

Random late night thought that there are a strange subcategory of musical theatre song that’s often a character-piece that doesn’t move the plot along but has an insight into a secondary character, and often really depends on the performer delivering it whether it’s engaging or boring.

I’ll always love Mr Cellophane, but also songs like Dog Eat Dog in Les Miserables is a number I enjoy because when delivered right it’s a strange insight into Thenardier where you kind of see his worldview and where it comes from (although he’s still the comic villain)

But then again I suppose it’s personal preference - I’ve always preferred proper character acting through song than flawless vocals.

[Fleance]

"Another Suitcase in Another Hall" in Evita; and "I'm Hopeless When It Comes to You" in Stephen Ward are great songs beautifully sung by peripheral characters. Joanna Riding was a great Valerie Hobson.

[danb]

Yes, love a good character song but not if they slow down the action. I always think ‘Dog’ slows down the momentum of Les Mis. Had they have him sing it earlier in the show then just do a short nasty reprise in the sewers it would sit better with me.

Whereas ‘The Millers Son’ in ‘A Little Night Music’ does the opposite. It gives us some background into what drives Petra AND an uptempo ‘banger’ of a song (put a donk on it and it would fill dancefloors).

[anthony40]

A song like 'I Know Things Now' from Into The Woods?

[toomasj]

“Les Poissons” from The Little Mermaid is a fun diversion.

[inthewings]

‘Me’ from Beauty and the Beast.

We all love the anthem ‘Gaston’ in all its narcissistic glory, but ‘Me’ really gives us our first glance into how overly egotistical Gaston truly is. Love it.