Could I Leave You? (song)
"Could I Leave You?" is a song written by Stephen Sondheim for the 1971 musical Follies for the character Phyllis.
Synopsis
[edit]Phyllis sings to her husband about how apathetic she is to her marriage, yet she decides to stay.
Critical reception
[edit]Time magazine explained that Sondheim is "still the great chronicler of married life" in all its form - in this song he demonstrates the bitterness of marriage.[1] Backstage described it as "biting contemplation of divorce."[2] Vulture calls the song a "stinging Coward-esque waltz."[3] The New York Times notes "Phyllis’s lacerating assertion of independence to her husband, overflows with both tenderness and hostility."[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Corliss, Richard (2010-06-12). "Why Broadway Hates Stephen Sondheim". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
- ^ "Follies". Backstage.com. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
- ^ "Theater Review: Reviving an Old Farewell, in Follies". Vulture. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
- ^ Brantley, Ben (2011-09-12). "'Follies' on Broadway - Review". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-04-26.