"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.
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.
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.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
EveHarrington, I had the exact same reaction to NEXT TO NORMAL. I was appalled.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
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.
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. :)
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.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
"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."
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.
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
"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.
Uhm, I care what ShubertAlley44 has to say. And she usually says what she says very eloquently.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
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.
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)
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert
"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.