Search - Marty Haugen :: Tales of Wonder: A Musical Storytelling

THIS IS A CHILDREN'S MUSICAL!

T. Sandate | Torrance,Ca | 12/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tales of Wonder is a children's musical. It is not intended for liturgy. The music is simple but appealing. I believe this was Haugen's first attempt at a children's musical, so the form is not perfect. But I think an hour of musical theater using Gregorian chant might be a bit much for young children.( but, yes, expose them to chant). Quite honestly, I gave Tales of Wonder five stars to offset Trudiggers misinformed review.I actually would rate it 3 stars. However, I applaud Mr. Haugen's attempt to teach stories from the Bible through musical theater."

Splendid, enjoyable, meaningful music

G. M. Johnson | London, England | 04/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm horrified by the negativity of some of the reviews here. Tales of Wonder is a bit of a hybrid: most of Marty Haugen's music is intended for congregational use in a liturgical setting, this is intended to be a musical for amateur performance as a parish project, a bit like a version of Joseph And His Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat but coming from a more worship-orientated standpoint.



As such the music is judged perfectly. All the songs are simple but have carefully crafted melodies which are easily learned but have little twists that keep them from childish banality. I had a tape of this in my car for years and would occasionally put it on and sing along at the top of my voice - it's a great antidote to road rage.



I think Marty Haugen is a the greatest living writer of congregational hymns - like a modern day Wesley. His tunes are quick to pick up and his lyrics convey complex theology in simple words. I'm absolutely sure that his best half-dozen or so songs will stay in the repertoire of hymns for many years, quite likely for many centuries. And I'm definitely not of the Woodstock generation!"