Quite right! I was so surprised at how different the original movie was to the musical and the movie musical. I saw the latest version of Hairspray (Movie musical) first and loved it and was quite surprised at how much was changed between the original and the musical despite the involvement of the original creators. I guess some of the ridiculously funny things and other aspects from the 1980's movie (e.g. Velma hiding a bomb in Amber's hair) probably wouldn't really fly well with a 2007 movie about the same story and time period. I don't know how seriously I could take the movie if Michelle Pfieffer's Velma were to pull the same stunt. Also, I read that some of the characters from the original movie didn't make it to the Broadway Musical (and thus the movie musical) because the actors who portrayed them had passed away (e.g. Amber's father, the two television station producers).SpringHeelJack wrote:I repeat- there's several differences. There's many characters cut, plot points changed (act three of the film is almost entirely different from the end of the stage show). Amber's father is gone, Tracy doesn't hide with a beatnik, Velma doesn't attempt to use a bomb hidden in Amber's hair, no scenes at an amusement park, etc.
Sorry for such a tangent! Back on topic:
I feel that "A Change in Me" is a terrific and powerful song and necessary for those not very perceptive in the storyline of the change in Belle's character (i.e. me, haha). I'm really dumb when it comes to analyzing literature and understanding story elements (yay for science majors!), just ask Escapay when we watch movies with complicated storylines. I thought "A Change in Me" was a great wake-up call for the audience members who didn't really catch the fact that Belle had really gone through a change. Belle realizes she's not really having those "adventure[s] in the great wide somewhere." She's realizing that the person she's become is different than she wanted to be and that's ok.
Though I can understand how it may seem to "stop" the show. It doesn't totally have to do with the meaning of the song, but for those who aren't really into or accustomed to the full out musical, having a long ballad by one character can get tiring that late in the show. Wicked was the first Broadway Musical I ever saw and I got really really bored with the Wizard's song in the 2nd act.
If I needed to choose, I'd keep "A Change in Me" over "Home" as I feel it accomplishes more to have Belle's big number in the 2nd act. Don't get me wrong, I love "Home" too and it establishes the emotions Belle is going through when she first stays at the castle, but I like the effect "A Change in Me" has over that of "Home."
And "If I Can't Love Her" is ABSOLUTELY necessary to really show the torture and torment that the Beast is enduring and put's a whole new level and appreciation for the character. It's a very powerful and moving ballad and I was very disappointed that the actor who played the Beast when I saw the show didn't do well in conveying it.