Am I the only one...

[mizzfit24601]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 6:47pm

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.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 6:49pm

Does anyone else feel the same way?

Probably not.
Updated On: 12/15/07 at 06:49 PM

[cubanpab]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 6:51pm

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

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 6:52pm

I can understand the annoyance of some superstar playing the lead roles. At the same time, I think that the medium of film opens up musical theatre to a lot of people who would otherwise avoid it by all means. I think that good film adaptions can create fans and please the existing fans. I can't stand it when those who have only seen the film feel like they are experts ....

ETA: Depp overrides the superstar comment, BTW. So excited about Sweeney!

Updated On: 12/15/07 at 06:52 PM

[mizzfit24601]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 7:10pm

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.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 7:17pm

If you hate it, don't watch it.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 7:18pm

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

[mizzfit24601]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 7:34pm

It could be that I'm just being paranoyed. I'm just so into theatre that it just kills me. I don't watch the movies or anything. I feel like t he movies bring alot of those annoying teen fans that scream and jump. It's not always just the movies but they sure do contribute to it.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 8:08pm

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

[AnnaB]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 8:27pm

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.

[mizzfit24601]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 8:33pm

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.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 9:17pm

So basically, you are one of those arrogant theater fans that hates big spectacle shows and loves only artistic Sondheim shows that makes you feel smart for liking them.

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 9:35pm

Were any made in 1990?

[bkonbroadway]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 1:59am

I feel your pain to some extent. I can understand that making musicals into movies could encourage more people to go to the theatre, however it could also make them feel like they've already seen it b/c they've seen the movie, which in most cases is FAR from the truth. The problem I have with it all is when they mess with the music and how the show was originally written. Rent, for example, was very poorly made into a movie. It was written with certain dialogue being sung for a reason. When they actually spoke the music like, "December 24th, 9pm...." I was enraged. You totally miss out on the brilliance of the story and how the composers/lyricists meant the story to be told. So yes, I understand your plight.

[AlexanderB]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 2:24am

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!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 2:50am

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


hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 4:01am

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.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 4:12am

Am I the only one who hates subject headers that don't tell you a damned thing?

VALIDATE ME.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 8:55am

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.

[mizzfit24601]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 10:27am

No COOOOLkid, that is not how I am. I just prefer some of the more classical pices to others. But there's no doubt I know every song to 25th...Spelling Bee, Mamma Mia, Hairspray and other fun shows. I'm not a theatre snob at all. I just don't care for musical films and was wondering if anyone else felt the same way. Why must people always call other people names when their opions aren't the same. I said I don't care for musical films and people attack me by calling me arrogant. A simple explanation of why you have an opposing view on the subject would be a little better than attacking me, someone you don't even know.

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

[tazber]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 10:46am

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.

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

[winston89]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 1:35pm

I like movie musiclas. I am glad that they are back after a longtime gone from the silver screen. It's true that if it wasn't for Chicago then none of the move muiscials would currently be made.

From standpoint of the movie studios, if it weren't for Chicago. then new movie musicals would never be made. Many people saw chicago as the revival of the art form.

I remeber watching the making of documentry in the rent dvd. And columbus stated that if it wasn't chicago then that move wouldn't have been made.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 1:36pm

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.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 1:50pm

I don't think you're snobbish for having a different opinion than me.

I think your attitude and explanation as to WHY you don't like film musicals at all IS "theatre snobbish." Absolutely.

[mizzfit24601]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 2:25pm

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.