Stripping away at the musical theater experience
Musicals start with music. So why is music often the most disposable element of the show? Because musicals are expensive, sometimes corners get cut. (Flip side: Musicals are popular. They make lots more money than straight plays.) Sound gets amped; orchestras get downsized. Nothing new there " except an increasing willingness to hail "stripped-down" musicals for their concepts, especially when such "innovations" come…