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Rating: 
Summary: Sondheim's Masterpiece
Review: I don't tend to use the word "Masterpiece" very often because usually it's used with only "good" things. This is an Exception. "Pacific Overtures" appears to be the musical that Sondheim wrote to show the world exactly what he could do, to be a bit of a show off for his magnificent talent. The Score Succeeds in every way. The music paints pictures of the emotions it is trying to convey. The Lyrics, brilliantly written, add to the music perfectly creating an eerie feeling of completion. The Song that a previous reviewer describe as "one of his best songs ever" is a great example of the perfect melding of the music and lyrics. The Song, describing 3 british sailors attempting to lure a poor traditional Japanese girl (who they beleive is "one of them Geisha girls") to sleep with them, is Beautiful by just passing but listening deeply in the music you hear the subtle minor cords and the lyrics of growing desperation and crudness that underlay the truely unromantic and slightly disturbing scene. The music succefully attemps at utilizing, but never copies, tradional Japanese Music styles in order to create the approprtiate feel for the show (but not end up sounding pretensious). As the story of the westernization of the japan Begins the Japanese influence is very prominent in the songs (especially "Is there no other way" and "poems"). But as the play progresses and Japan becomes more influenced the west, the Japanese music styles slowly dissapear. The number "Please Hello", describing 5 country representatives trying to persuade Japan to Trade with them (or they'll blow them up), is a humurous piece. Each Nation is represented by a certain style of music when they sing. America, rather normal indescriptive up beat music; Ductch, Funny little polka sounding; Russia, dark profound and luminous; France, follies Can-Can; and my personal favorite Britain which ingueniously parodies Gilbert and Sullivan's "I am the very pattern of a Modern Major-general". The Musical Ends With the song "Next". Many Say the song is rather inconsistant to the reast of the play but I think it works very well. It is a fast paced song depicting Japan as it hurtles itself into the mordern age. If preformed Correctly it can send tremendous shivers down your spine. "Pacific Overtures" Was nominated for 8 tony's but only won 2. It was Robbed of it's tony for best score (loosing to A Chorus Line which, IS a fine show, does not come close to the artistic inegredy of Pacific Overtures). The Score is perhapes Sondheim most difficult, but to preform it is Very satisfying. Plus the songs are written all for men so some of these are great audition/festival peices. Like Many of Sondheim's shows, specificaly "follies", if you hear or see "pacific overtures" once you may not understand it's brilliance but after repeated listening/viewings you will to have a tremendous respect for it. I Also recomend the Original Cast Recording of the show Available here on Amazon and, if you can find it, the Original Cast was taped and Subtitled and aired on Japanese TV it is EXTREMELY rare but if you can get a hold of it, it's worth every cent you pay for.
Rating:
Summary: Sondheim's Masterpiece
Review: I don't tend to use the word "Masterpiece" very often because usually it's used with only "good" things. This is an Exception. "Pacific Overtures" appears to be the musical that Sondheim wrote to show the world exactly what he could do, to be a bit of a show off for his magnificent talent. The Score Succeeds in every way. The music paints pictures of the emotions it is trying to convey. The Lyrics, brilliantly written, add to the music perfectly creating an eerie feeling of completion. The Song that a previous reviewer describe as "one of his best songs ever" is a great example of the perfect melding of the music and lyrics. The Song, describing 3 british sailors attempting to lure a poor traditional Japanese girl (who they beleive is "one of them Geisha girls") to sleep with them, is Beautiful by just passing but listening deeply in the music you hear the subtle minor cords and the lyrics of growing desperation and crudness that underlay the truely unromantic and slightly disturbing scene. The music succefully attemps at utilizing, but never copies, tradional Japanese Music styles in order to create the approprtiate feel for the show (but not end up sounding pretensious). As the story of the westernization of the japan Begins the Japanese influence is very prominent in the songs (especially "Is there no other way" and "poems"). But as the play progresses and Japan becomes more influenced the west, the Japanese music styles slowly dissapear. The number "Please Hello", describing 5 country representatives trying to persuade Japan to Trade with them (or they'll blow them up), is a humurous piece. Each Nation is represented by a certain style of music when they sing. America, rather normal indescriptive up beat music; Ductch, Funny little polka sounding; Russia, dark profound and luminous; France, follies Can-Can; and my personal favorite Britain which ingueniously parodies Gilbert and Sullivan's "I am the very pattern of a Modern Major-general". The Musical Ends With the song "Next". Many Say the song is rather inconsistant to the reast of the play but I think it works very well. It is a fast paced song depicting Japan as it hurtles itself into the mordern age. If preformed Correctly it can send tremendous shivers down your spine. "Pacific Overtures" Was nominated for 8 tony's but only won 2. It was Robbed of it's tony for best score (loosing to A Chorus Line which, IS a fine show, does not come close to the artistic inegredy of Pacific Overtures). The Score is perhapes Sondheim most difficult, but to preform it is Very satisfying. Plus the songs are written all for men so some of these are great audition/festival peices. Like Many of Sondheim's shows, specificaly "follies", if you hear or see "pacific overtures" once you may not understand it's brilliance but after repeated listening/viewings you will to have a tremendous respect for it. I Also recomend the Original Cast Recording of the show Available here on Amazon and, if you can find it, the Original Cast was taped and Subtitled and aired on Japanese TV it is EXTREMELY rare but if you can get a hold of it, it's worth every cent you pay for.
Rating: 
Summary: Pacific Review
Review: Out of all of Stephen Sondheim's musicals, this one is definately his weakest. However, the exquisite touch that Sondheim puts into his work shines throughout this musical. The song "Pretty Lady" stands to be one of his best songs ever. Die hard Sondheim buffs will find enjoyment in this mediocre musical.
Rating:
Summary: Pacific Review
Review: Out of all of Stephen Sondheim's musicals, this one is definately his weakest. However, the exquisite touch that Sondheim puts into his work shines throughout this musical. The song "Pretty Lady" stands to be one of his best songs ever. Die hard Sondheim buffs will find enjoyment in this mediocre musical.
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