Adults vs. Teens

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

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

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

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.

---

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.

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

---

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.)

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.

---

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.

---

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)

---

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

---

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.

---