Mr. Canfield's "CQ" would probably pull in young audiences, given its central hip-hop dancer, club atmosphere and driving, multi-faceted pop score.

But soon enough the bouncy pop score takes over again, and "Valentín" returns to its true business, tugging at well-worn heart strings.

And he still has his mojo working: "Jerry Maguire" shares with his earlier films the benefits of an exceptionally well-used, tuneful pop score.

The show, which has a book and lyrics by Bill Russell and a surging pop score by Henry Krieger, also takes many dramatic liberties with the story.

Hitchcock listened to only the prelude of the score before confronting Herrmann about the pop score.

And their catchy, disposable pop scores epitomize and to an extent have even come to define their esthetics.

In addition to the comedy, children will enjoy Michael Walter's pop score, which includes a clever rock tune enumerating Rapunzel's phobias.

The musical, with a catchy, melodic pop score by Lord Lloyd Webber, had no book and little plot.

Meanwhile, the mother seeks solace in the heavenly music of choir practice, a pointed contrast to the film's bouncy pop score.

"Hairspray" has a rambunctious pop score and a cast of 33, but Mr. Fierstein, playing an agoraphobic wife and mother, is without a doubt the marquee name.