Am I the only one...

OK, so if there has been a thread posted about this earlier, I'm, sorry but I just had a question. Am I the only one who HATES Broadway shows turning into movies?!?! I really hate when I see my favorite show turned into some Hollywood version with some famous hollywood diva playing a classic Broadway role. I hate when people compare the wonderful ALW Phantom of the Opera stage version to that horrific movie from 2004! Call me spoiled but it just makes me so angry!! When my friends talk about a musical movie they saw and loved I go on and explain in great detail why they bother me so much. Does anyone else feel the same way?
*once again excuse my english.

i think you make a good point but there have been terrific films made from broadway musicals in the last few years like:

chicago
sweeney todd

and even some fun pretty good films:

dreamgirls
hairspray

musicals are back after an insanely long absence from cinema... and i think thats a good thing.

Updated On: 12/15/07 at 06:51 PM

Yeah, I understand the opposing view to my point but from someone who has been in shows they still seem to rub me wrong. I just feel movies comercialize it all. I think the 'hollywoodness' of it all distracts from the storyline and performances that were already built up on stage, where the show belongs. I am not trying to be rude or anything like that, I just wander if there are people out there who feel the same rage as I do. Also, if my speaking sounds harsh it's because I speak french so my englsih may come off choppy. I would explain what I'm trying to say better in my native tounge.

Broadway is also "commercial" theatre. And in many cases just as "Hollywood".

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Go see WICKED or LEGALLY BLOND and you will find the same teen fans screaming...

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I'm not a huge Wicked or Legally Blonde fan. I'm more of the serious theatre type person. It's really just an opion I've always had about musical films though.

Were any made in 1990?

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Same sentiment here...

I really appreciate the attempt to more thoroughly expose Broadway to the masses, and hope that continues. By that same token I become a bit of an uptight purist when I go to movies of shows that I am familiar with. Lyric changes tend to baffle me, specifically.

I also prefer the energy interplay between audience and actor in live theater...but that probably goes for most of you.

Even though this is mostly about musicals, I DO think that The History Boys film was great!

I'm not a huge fan of them either to be honest, but mainly because of the celebrity casting that tends to happen. Eg Renee Zellweger in Chicago. Why give someone the role if they can't even sing? It frustrates me to tears.

Someone else who feels my pain over Renee and Chicago. Cathrine Zeta-Jones was great. Renee can act the part but sing it? She was so weak. I felt the same about Richard and Queen Latifa. Though I thought Latifa could sing but didn't sing it as well as she could have, I hope.

I have enjoyed many of the old Musicals shown on television growing up. The weakness is that it seems to cost too much to make them. They can't sell them with people who can sing. I still don't understand why this is? It seems only because, like Broadway, Producers want this very expensive set to show off and are willing to lose everything just to put it on. So they pay very expensive Movie Actors to play the parts and hope no one who really cares about singing notices. It doesn't always work. Since most Movies aren't blockbusters I'm not sure where this logic is coming from? Live theatre is nice but I don't have the time to see it whenever I want to. Great that you can.

I only wish more stage performance could be recorded so that I can see them again. There are plenty of bad versions of good Musicals. I wouldn't mind if they would at least save the good ones. I don't want to live in New York but I don't mind supporting some of the shows they put up there. If they put more Musicals to Movies, more of us who do enjoy them will help contribute to their success.

I would also like to see more opportunities for Broadway Actors to share their good work. Video is out there, so why aren't we using it to the best of our abilities yet? I think it is weak to think that people will stop going to Broadway because they can buy it and view it at home. It is just a different experience but to cut off the franchise completely seems foolish to me. Not everyone can go to New York on a whim. It's unfortunate because a lot of good shows fail because of this. So finding another solution to this problem seems only reasonable to me.

You're not alone, Lizzie.

Not by a long shot.

Oh, and I'll add that I hate theatre snobs who think that a film version of a Broadway show is created simply to "educate the masses" about theatre. That's the LAST reason it's made.

The films are made to be films and to make money.

Oh, and if you want to cry about Renee Zellweger in Chicago, I can give you a list of recent Roxie Harts on Broadway that will make you shrivel up and die.

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If the movie is well made who cares?

I'm delighted that Hairspray and Chicago had screen versions. They are two of my favorite films.

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Updated On: 12/16/07 at 10:46 AM

And also LizzieCurry, I'm sorry if you don't like subject titles like that. I'll try not to do it again.

Around here, people can even edit their own posts AND subject headers. That means you can change it.

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I have alot of reasons for hating musical movies. I really wish I could explain but my lack of english langauage is preventing me from going into depth. I'm really not snobbish all! I don't know who you think I am but my background and personaltiy are surely not one of theatre snobbish people. Of course I respect actors and directors who make musical movies I just don't like them. I feel they take away the theatric experience and magic from the story line and characters. I'm open to them, I really am. Chicago wasn't half bad, although Renne wouldn't be my first choice. I think you all are misunderstanding what I'm saying. It's not like I throw up my arms when a new musical film comes out and don't give it an opportunity. I do watch them and I USUALLY come out of the theatre feeling the same way, disappointed. But thanks for listening to my side of the story.