In The King And I, shown again this afternoon, my favourite ever song Something Wonderful was sung and featured in that magnificent final scene when The King dies (only seen by his hand slipping lifeless to his side) and it is only noticed by the faithful Prime Minister who prostrates himself and then Anna who kisses and holds his hand whilst life in the court of Siam goes on and the choir sing the final chorus of Something Wonderful.
Pure emotional magic.

We caught bits of it, and have planned a lecture, using the film without the soundtrack, to enable people`s views on the story without the songs changing them.
Just had a phone conversation with an absolute legend of rock, we have had a very good day indeed.
Loving life as allways

JK2006 wrote:
In The King And I, shown again this afternoon, my favourite ever song Something Wonderful was sung and featured in that magnificent final scene when The King dies (only seen by his hand slipping lifeless to his side) and it is only noticed by the faithful Prime Minister who prostrates himself and then Anna who kisses and holds his hand whilst life in the court of Siam goes on and the choir sing the final chorus of Something Wonderful.
Pure emotional magic.
"(There's a Place for Us) Somewhere" from West Side Story. By the time it comes in the story, we can see how this thing is going to end. This beautiful lull in the action is all the more poignant as we can almost hear switchblades being sharpened down the street.

There's another great moment when the Jets, the Sharks and the lovers are criss-crossed (uh, should I now say "mashed"?).

Jets: "the Jets are going to have their day, tonight"
Sharks: "The Sharks are gonna have their way tonight."
Maria + Tony: "Tonight, tonight,
Won't be just any night,
Tonight there will be no morning star.
Tonight, tonight, I'll see my love tonight.
And for us, stars will stop where they are."

All this in a rising, tragic orchestral crescendo. They don't make 'em like that any more!

I tell you what Michael, if you speak to any pit musician, they will tell you that is the hardest score to play as well, THE most time signature changes and tempo changes in any long running show.
I`ve worked with many people who have done it in the West End , including the vocalists as well, and they all really cut their teeth on that show.
I have been very intimitated by brass sections who have just finished a matinee and turned up to do my simplistic gigs afterwards.
Don`t forget "Annie" though, also perenniely brilliant.
The key thing in these three shows in this thread, is all about love and the quest for it.
That is a story that us mere humans will never tire of.

I think I can already hear groans from the readers, but I have a particular affection for the "Mamma Mia" show. It's not exactly in the same league as "The Kind and I" and "West Side Story", but it is a great romp. It has an Ab Fab feel to it, as well as the best pop music of the past 20 years. It's also the only West End show I actually saw at the West End (I'm forgetting myself - I also "Rocky Horror" moons ago).