9 to 5: SHUT OUT big time !!!!- Page 2

[EveHarrington]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:19am

Oh whatever, it delivered the goods. I don't know what people are watching. I saw the show. It was great. Not good. GREAT.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:21am

LOL!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:22am

I had a GREAT time at 9 TO 5 but let's get real; it's nowhere near a "great" show.

Infinitely better than ROCK OF AGES though. And better than SHREK for sure.
Updated On: 5/5/09 at 10:22 AM

[EveHarrington]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:25am

"I had a GREAT time at 9 TO 5 but let's get real; it's nowhere near a "great" show."

Compared to the rest of the **** that opened this season it is. No, it's not GYPSY, it's not gonna be a classic. But it kicks the **** out of Rock of Ages, Shrek, and Next to Normal. I haven't seen BE yet, so I can't comment there.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:29am

I don't even know how to begin to compare NEXT TO NORMAL and 9 TO 5 but N2N is clearly superior in terms of ... well ... basically every aspect.

They couldn't be more different but N2N is far superior and I think many will agree with me on that point.

I do agree, however, that it's much better than ROA and SHREK. How ROA got a directing nod over 9 TO 5 or even SHREK is just baffling to me...

[EveHarrington]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:32am

I was personally offended by N2N because of some things I've gone through in my life. It's inaccurate, irresponsible, and the creative team doesn't seem to care. I almost walked out. The "impact" it had on me was that I felt disgusted.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:32am

I think the ROA directing nod is to purposely piss off Arthur Laurents.

To nominate 9 TO 5 or SHREK for Direction over WSS might be semi-understandable to Laurents, but to see that he was passed over for a crappy 80s jukebox musical is a real jab to his ego.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:33am

EveHarrington, I had the exact same reaction to NEXT TO NORMAL. I was appalled.

[outdamnwench]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:34am

Before someone flips their bitch-switch, lets remember that N2N and 9 to 5 are completely different musicals that can't really be compared. They have totally different objectives and approach musical theatre in completely different ways.

[EveHarrington]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:35am

"EveHarrington, I had the exact same reaction to NEXT TO NORMAL. I was appalled."

I'm really glad to know I wasn't the only one who reacted this way to the show, because it certainly feels that way sometimes.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:37am

Can I ask, honestly without sarcasm or snarkiness, what about N2N "appalled" you guys? Seriously, I'm curious, not trying to be bitchy.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:41am

I actually think Shrek is better than 9 to 5, and I, too, disliked NTN. I wasn't appalled by it, but I thought it was irresponsible and am not a fan of the music. And Alice Ripley was constantly flat. Billy Elliot should easily walk away with the Best Musical prize, and I'm not even a huge fan of that, either. :)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:52am

WiCkEDrOcKS, what appalled me was the carelessness with which the authors handled such a sensitive human health issue. They didn't do their research, and as a result, they gave misrepresentations of mental illness, promoted stigmatizing stereotypes, and made up their own disorders. There's no way they could NOT have expected to offend a lot of people when they mishandled such a serious human health issue.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:56am

"I was personally offended by N2N because of some things I've gone through in my life. It's inaccurate, irresponsible, and the creative team doesn't seem to care. I almost walked out. The "impact" it had on me was that I felt disgusted."

Ditto for my sister's affliction.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 10:57am

It's interesting to me though how there's such a schism between people who see N2N having had personal experiences with the issues it deals with.

So many people who experienced (or know much about) the illnesses the show tackles say it was loyal to the issues it covers, it spoke to them and really helped them. And so many others complain it was inaccurate and offensive. It's interesting to me, really.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:00am

It's true, actually. My friend, who works sound on the show, likes it a lot because one of his family members went through a similar situation.

I really disliked the music. I found it repetitive and boring and Jason-Robert-Browny-let's-stick-in-as-many-lyrics-as-we-can.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:02am

There is no way the authors could ever please everyone when dealing with the subject matter. So its either go into it knowing you may piss some people off, or don't go there.

Thank jeebus they werent afraid of any criticism they may get for taking on the subject matter, because the result is a beautiful show.

I think anyone who thinks a broadway musical has to be 100% accurate is being way too nit picky and whiny. They have no more responsibility to portray mental illnesses 100% accurately than any other topic that gets away with taking artistic liberties

[cantstandbrody]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:03am

shubertahole44 no one cares what you think to honest !!!! Yet you keep talking !!

[Anakela]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:03am

:raises hand:
Add me to the list of people who did not love Next To Normal. We are a definite minority, though.

/threadjack

[EveHarrington]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:03am

"WiCkEDrOcKS, what appalled me was the carelessness with which the authors handled such a sensitive human health issue. They didn't do their research, and as a result, they gave misrepresentations of mental illness, promoted stigmatizing stereotypes, and made up their own disorders. There's no way they could NOT have expected to offend a lot of people when they mishandled such a serious human health issue."

This. And in addition to this, I have friends who have been very severely harmed not only by their own mental affliction, but by others as well, and the type of "treatment" promoted in Next to Normal is what brought down so many friendships, relationships, and people whom I keep close. The show disgusted and horrified me.

[D2]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:07am

Uhm, I care what ShubertAlley44 has to say. And she usually says what she says very eloquently.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:08am

Anakela, when I worked it one night, the majority of people I heard talking at intermission didn't like it. I would think there are actually a good number who aren't fans.

[singtopher]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:08am

WBF, and Eve's sentiments are not alone. I have heard from people on both sides of the issue. I will say those who were offended are in the minority (of those I've spoken with)

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:10am

Thanks, D2 :) I try to be fair when other people's opinions differ from mine.

I mean, mental illness is such an individual experience, it's only natural that people would have varying opinions about a piece that portrays it.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 11:12am

"I think anyone who thinks a broadway musical has to be 100% accurate is being way too nit picky and whiny. They have no more responsibility to portray mental illnesses 100% accurately than any other topic that gets away with taking artistic liberties"


That paragraph makes me think you are extremely young.