9 to 5 vs. Shrek

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 3:51pm

Just saw both on Wed. (matinee of 9 to 5 and evening of Shrek) and really can not understand how Shrek was nominated for best musical if 9 to 5 wasn't. I understand that more families and kids are going to Shrek and that is keeping it alive, but I just think it is a much weaker show all around (except for the obvious visual elements.) I'm curious as to other thoughts people have.

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 3:54pm

I think 9 to 5 should have replaced Rock of Ages. I'm rather fond of Shrek.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 3:57pm

I prefer Shrek to Rock of Ages. I enjoy the performances and score more. It's also funnier.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 4:04pm

I agree. 9 to 5 was snubbed big time. I was sure that Billy, N2N and 9 to 5 were getting Best Musical nominations and the 4th spot would come down to Shrek vs. Rock of Ages (I know this was already discussed to death when the nominations were first out). I haven't seen Rock of Ages yet though.

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 4:11pm

Shrek also has 3 bonified BW star performers (Foster, d'Arcy James, Seiber) and 2 bonified up-and-comers (Tartaglia and Breaker) with 10 Tony noms between them, as well as the much-nominated Jeanine Tesori as composer. 9 to 5 has one BW vet (Kudisch), two relative unknowns whose main careers have been as replacements (Hilty and Block) and one non-singing TV star making her BW debut. Also, Dolly Parton is a theater neophyte.

None of these observations has to do with the quality of either show, but of the politics of the Tony Awards. I'm not justifying it (I didn't think much of either show) but Shrek has a perceived "pedigree" that 9 to 5 does not and, since neither show was truly distinguished, pedrigree won out.

And please...don't get me started on Rock of Ages.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 4:16pm

First of all, "bonified"?

Here's the deal. Honestly, I think both should have been nominated. But Shrek is WAAAAY underestimated. As the reviewer for New York magazine said, "if it strays to close to the source material, it's worth remembering that the source material was pretty good". Shrek was a parodic, subversive film, and it carries that spirit through to the stage. Shrek is also a staggering technical achievement - sure, 9 to 5 has a cramazing moving set, but Shrek has got that brilliant scenery, Tim Hatley's inventive costumes...Shrek (gets ready to duck) has better music. OK, some of 9 to 5's music is nice, but come on. What song were you humming as you left the theatre? Why, the title track, of course. It's a great song, but it was also kinda written 29 years ago. Shrek, on the other hand, has a number of wonderful, catchy and layered songs (the Act One ending musical sequence is magical).

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 4:33pm

I didn't leave Shrek humming any songs, either. Neither did my kids, and they didn't even care to buy a cd for future listening.

Can't speak to 9 to 5, didn't chose to view it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 4:33pm

Haven't seen 9 to 5, but Shrek isn't as bad as people make it out to be. People think because it is associated with a children's movie, it is bad and/or doesn't deserve to be nominated. Yeah, it isn't as intellectually stimulating as a show like Next to Normal, but everyone's idea of good theater is different. So in my opinion, I am glad it got the nomination.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 5:16pm

The only real moment SHREK soared, for me, was WHO I'D BE. It was really lovely.

I do prefer 9 TO 5 but both should have been nominated over ROA.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 5:25pm

I saw 9 to 5 on tuesday and Shrek on wed and far preferred 9 to 5!!!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 5:31pm

I thought they were both awful.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 5:34pm

^^ I agree with you 100%, PiraguaGuy2.

[Geridith]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 5:41pm

I think 9 to 5 should have gotten Shrek's spot for Best Musical, and I really liked ROA, I'm glad it got a spot. (And I've actually seen all three.)

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 5:52pm

I don't get what is so great about the song "Who I'd Be".

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 5:56pm

Enjoyed both but liked Shrek better.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 6:20pm

OK, some of 9 to 5's music is nice, but come on. What song were you humming as you left the theatre? Why, the title track, of course.

For me it was Shine Like the Sun and Around Here.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 6:27pm

I left remembering
Get out and stay out and shine like the sun.

I really enjoyed both actually alot.
I felt though 9 to 5 was deffinetly snubbed in so many categories..

I didnt care too much for Rock of Ages and didnt see why it got the spot over 9 to 5.

But I hated that the TONYs had Billy Fever...

I really wish I saw what everyone else seems to see in this show, honestly I do..

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 7:30pm

This is based solely on the score of both shows (although I think I have seen enough of the visual aspects to make a judgment)

I dismissed Shrek at first, but bought the Cast Recording because I love the three stars (Foster, d'arcy James and Sieber). On a first listen, I found most of the songs to be bland and forgettable, but recently I pulled it up on itunes and gave it another go, and realized that a lot of the score is quite good and enjoyable. The only songs I find still bland are Donkey's (I also find Act II much weaker than Act I). The design elements of the show though, are quite beautiful.

9 to 5 on the other hand looked quite promising, and I grabbed the cast recording as soon as I could, but much of it falls flat. Both of Kudisch's songs lack a constant melody, and the entire dream sequence is just...weird. The only solid songs in the score are the title song, Shine like the Sun, I Just Might and Get Out and Stay Out. 4 out of 18 ain't good. The choreography also just looked, boring. The show had a good cast, but bad material.

Overall, while I still prefer 9 to 5 over the atrocious Rock of Ages, Shrek deserved it's Best Musical nomination.

[dg22894]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 8:05pm

9 to 5 has two songs that i hum now and then Get Out and Stay out and 9 to 5. Shrek I hum to freak flag, I think I got you beat, I know its today, Whats up duloc, Morning Person. Shrek has amazing music. ROA is a mess 9 to 5 deserved to be nominated over them but Shrek is stronger than 9 to 5

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:17am

I loved them both!

[B3TA07]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:22am

Brian D'Arcy James, before "Shrek," was known for that really bloody irish play, and then he was a replacement in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," and then he did an acclaimed(ish) and high-profile Off-Broadway show. "Bonafide" is a little superfluous...

And as to the point of this thread, personally I'd be more willing to revisit "9 to 5" than "Shrek." But neither were half as fun, enjoyable, or made for as fulfilling of an evening as "Rock of Ages" did. And I only had one beer.

[TMedeiros17]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 6:42am

could the reason 9 to 5 was jipped may be because they opened so late in the game? (hence opening night was the last night of the voting) If 9 to 5 didn't postpone their performances, there wouldn't be this problem I don't think.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 10:07am

Brian d'Arcy James has also done Titanic, Sweet Smell of Success and The Apple Tree on Broadway, and had leading roles in each.