Adults vs. Teens

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:20pm

I was thinking:

Why do the adults and the teens on this board fight so often? One of the big things I notice is when a teen asks a question that an adult might think is senseless, they yell at them instead of help educate us about theatre. Why? What's the point of starting an argument? Can we just please get along?? I can be the nicest kid you will talk to if we could just get along! Could someone tell me (adults and teens) their views on this topic. Thanks.

Updated On: 11/16/03 at 10:20 PM

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:22pm

to be quite honest, i'm not sure who is an adult and who is a kid/teen on the board.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:24pm

It doesn't matter...the "new generation," I guess.

[Princess MimiChica]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:25pm

all I know is that the adults on the board seem to be doing a lot of complaining about how musical theatre has "deteriorated" and how theres nothing good on Broadway right now.
The teens around here seem to have a slightly more optimistic point of view =D

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:48pm

Teens who are satisfied seeing the same show over and over and over. The television rerun principal writ large.

[Princess MimiChica]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:51pm

seeing a show more than once is a bad thing? since when?

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:51pm

I'm 19 going on 40.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:55pm

Everybody rise, nyuniq!

Absolutely nothing wrong with seeing a show more than once. But when people only focus on one thing and see it again and again it gets stagnating. I think people who see a show like RENT into the double digits should make a pact with themselves to see one new show for every one time they go see RENT. It would be really good for their development.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:56pm

I think the teens forget that many of the adults have a vast amount of experience in the theater. Not only have many of us seen thousands of Broadway plays and musicals, but we have on-stage experience as well. We've seen trends come and go and ourtastes have been well-defined. To those who have seen half a dozen Broadway productions, TABOO may look like material for a Pulitzer Prize because there's nothing to compare it with. However, when someone has seen the original productions of HAIR and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, TABOO becomes recognized for the garbage it is.

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 10:58pm

I am very guilty of seeing the same show a sick amount of times but, i feel i missed out on the real great theater... Evita,A Chorus Line, La C.A.F,Into The Woods Orig,Company... and we get disney musicals with washed up pop stars.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 11:01pm

I'm at that weird state where I still think I'm a teen, but I'm not. Anyway. I think, like Dollypop said, a lot of teens forget that the adults have been around awhile. However, I also think that the adults kind of underestimate the teens. Just because they are young doesn't mean they don't have a lot of experience and shows under their belt. Obviously, they will not have as many as adults, because they haven't been around as long, but that doesn't mean they are clueless about past shows. I only started following Broadway about three years ago. I actually DO follow Namo's policy in that while I have seen a certain show into the double digits, I have definitely seen more than half of that number in other shows. The past two Tony seasons, I have seen at least four of the nominated shows. So while I'm a crazy obsessed teen in regards to one show, I like to think I'm still somewhat educated about a lot of other shows and aspects of theater.

I think a BIG part of the problem is that a lot of the teens on this board have issues with a keyboard and don't do too well making themselves sound intelligent. But that's yet another thing not limited to teens.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 11:17pm

What a scary thought. I am a part of a generation that thinks TABOO is the equivilance(sp?) to Company. *runs frightened*

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 11:30pm

BT11, I have posted before that if you don’t know about a show or some topic mentioned on the board, do some research! Google it, or whatever. I have no problem having a discussion about MAME or WONDERFUL TOWN, but don’t ask me “what is this show about” because you should and could find this out on your own. I find the library a great source of material, both scripts and CD’s. Make it a point to check out a video or recording each week. It is free and you will gain so much more knowledge of a show than what it would take a while to write in a post.

And THAT is how I first found out about THE LAST 5 YEARS.!

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 11:47pm

In general, I find the teenage mentality really annoying.

Notice I said "mentality" and not "teenagers in general."

(And I was a teenager 7 years ago.)

[DonnaMurphyRocks]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 12:13am

then you'd really hate me (you said "mentality")

I'm not a teen, but I think the "adults" on this board could be a little kinder to the young people. You shouldn't use pompous phrases like "you ought to know this" or "I expect you to look it up". Are you all teachers giving out grades? Questions are better than ignorance. That's my opinion anyway.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 12:29am

Oh, Donna, sick Donna, lookin' for my DONNA!

It's just that we "adults" really do not like taking the time to type out a synopsis of ...MAME/LA CAGE/LITLE ME ETC.. when y'all can find it out for yourselves.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 1:07am

I think there are many times when any one of us could do a little google before we bore...I mean bother...I mean--well you know--post another redundant question. =)

[say what?]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 1:08am

As a young teen I focused heavily on those "Euro Trash" musicals, particularly "Les Miserables." Repeated viewings over the years, constant playing of the cast recordings blaring through my headphones, I thought I was pretty sophisticated with this theatre stuff and wanted to learn more.

That's where a lot of kids I knew/know stopped though. They didn't go out and see other shows on the boards of all varieties, but remained stuck on one show, on one composer.

At least the interest is there however, but I would like to see more enthusiasm by the younger theatre goers concerning straight plays.

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 3:34am

"That's where a lot of kids I knew/know stopped though. They didn't go out and see other shows on the boards of all varieties, but remained stuck on one show, on one composer."

I completely agree with this sentiment, and I'm completely guilty of it as well -- although I was introduced to theatre at the age of 6 (with Annie, as many others were...), I didn't become a huge fan of it until I got re-interested through Miss Saigon, shortly after it opened on Broadway.

A lot of online theatre fans in the high school/early college years seem to not get interested in the smaller, lesser known shows at ALL unless their favorite Roger or Eponine or whathaveyou gets cast in them. It may not be a preferred method of veering away from the "Eurotrash," but at least it happens at all.

[bob8rich]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 3:57am

I think that the differences in opinion between "adults" and teens is clearly a generation thing as each will have been brought up on a different style of music. But there is no reason for them to "fight" over it - it's just a difference of opinion and both groups should just share their opinions and, hopefully, learn from each other. (And there are some "adults" who seem to delight in assassinating the opinions of other adults too - not just teens.) Everyone should remember that the common ground in this group is - or certainly ought to be - a passion for musical theater. And no one at whatevcer age should think that their views are definitive. I am 52 and have been immersed in my passion for musical theater for almost 40 years but I still feel I am learning all the time.

I also have a pretty wide scope in my love of musicals - I enjoy almost everything from the old fashioned "schmaltz" of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, etc. right up to the "modern" musicals such as "Les Mis", "Rent, "Aida".... There are obviously some shows and styles I like more than others - and a few I do not like at all - but my basic attitide is that I set out to enjoy a show, not look for every excuse to knock it.

My favorite musicals are those that attempt to be innovative, seriously dramatic musicals, such as those of Sondheim, William Finn, Jason Robert Brown, Kander and Ebb et al. But I can also just sit back and enjoy shows like "Anything Goes", "42nd Street" or "Grease".

Musical theater is the greatest form of art/entertainment media - so let's all generations enjoy it and learn and discuss together.

(Sorry if I begun to "preach" - must be my age. LOL)

[broadway geek]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 7:46am

I think Sueleen was exactly right. Some of the teens on this board give everyone else a bad reputation. If you don't know anything about a topic, stay out of the disscussion, that way you will learn without people blasting you. And there are plenty of musical sites where you can get a synopsis etc. and at least make people think you're educated.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 9:09am

Well soon I will be an adult and might have some friends on this board! Then I can join your discussions.

[sheekala]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 9:18am

Some of the teens or "twenties" post some of the most enjoyable and passion filled opinions I've read, BUT if there is any problem with Adults vs. Teens, it's when say someone who has only seen ONE show, or worse has never "seen" the show but is a fan of the OCR swings on the board and simply posts a phrase like, "It Rocks!"..that might cause a problem.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 9:28am

Bob8 wrote: "Everyone should remember that the common ground in this group is - or certainly ought to be - a passion for musical theater."

It's intriguing to me that when people use the word "Broadway," or "Broadwayworld.com," there is an automatic assumption that it is synonymous with "musical" theater. I think the lack of appreciation for plays, (they're sort of like musicals but they don't have songs!) is key to many people's lack of development.

If folks would take the time to see some great productions of great plays, they might come to have a real appreciation of dramatic structure, acting (which is another thing entirely from "belting"), and direction. Then they might see why people are less-than-patient with the glaring problems they are willing to overlook because this or that young performer can really belt during her big number.

[Craig]

Posted: 11/17/03 at 9:30am

So what you are saying is you are NOT in favor of "Streetcar: The Musical"?