Anyone Else Kinda Feeling Their Love Of Musicals Dissipating?- Page 2

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 6:17pm

Im starting to feel that way. The more I learn about music theory, the more I realize that this music is easy as hell to write. it's the classical and modern pieces that are actually doing new things. I still love a good melody and I also love a clever, witty lyric, but it's getting old, gang. Let's do something new, it's time for the artform to evolve, otherwise it's just going to get staler and staler, and become more commercial and less artistic (oh wait, that's already happened).

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 6:29pm

I say this without hyperbole- if my love of musical theater ever dissipates, I will simply kill myself, because my greatest joy of living will be gone.

Amen, sally. Amen.

[nygrl23]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 6:29pm

>So is this board going to become a cousin to the Eragon boards, where you can't >express a bad opinion about the art form without being attacked?

Not familiar with Cruel's work, are you?

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 6:37pm

I agree Fenchurch.

When the "latest, new, thrilling, current music" on Broadway sounds like Godspell/Hair or late-'70s Lite FM nerd rock, I can't get excited about it anymore.

Where are the modern writing "voices" of Broadway? Where is the new Sondheim? Rodgers? Bernstein? Porter? And someone that doesn't sound like he's imitating Sondheim or Rodgers (or anyone else). Even at its best, that music isn't NEW, it's just more of the same thing.

I feel like we've "stalled" creatively on Broadway (and perhaps in pop music in general?), with only a few rare exceptions for the past 20 years. And it seems to be getting worse creatively.

I don't want to keep pulling out A Little Night Music, The Most Happy Fella, The Music Man, Gypsy, or any other show album from 35 years ago or more to remind myself of what's possible.

We need "new possibilities" now!

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 6:42pm

See, when I have times that I haven't seen anything in a while, I just have to keep faith and remember those magic moments until I experience another one.

If that made sense.

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 6:44pm

Actually, I think that looking backward for what is possible isn't very productive either. While I adore Porter and appreciate everyone on your list, even Sondheim, I feel that the new innovators aren't going to sound a lot like the old ones, so comparisons aren't really productive.

And I think there are some great things being written in music theater (I saw music theater because I'm including contemporary opera in this category.) Composers like Adam Guettel and Mark Adamo are writing incredible pieces that are indeed innovative while composers like the team who wrote Legally Blonde are writing satisfying musicals that are evocative of an older idea of musical theater but in a modern context.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 6:58pm

Maybe my post wasn't clear?

I DON'T want anyone to sound like knock-offs of Sondheim, Rodgers, Porter, etc.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:14pm

No.

And frankly, I don't understand why an individual who has always appreciated and had a love for musicals would just lose those feelings even if uninspired by current composers and their work. Can't one easily continuing loving the genre because of all the good and positive works that have been created since the form began? For example, I am always going to love and be thrilled by the OBC of Sweeney Todd and the DVD with Hearn and Lansbury even if I view the latest jukebox musical or other musical theatre tragedy of your choice as an unfortunate addition to the canon.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 7:22pm

Well, I'm HOPEFUL that we'll be hearing new visionary voices in musical theatre, and I love my Sweeney Todd recordings just as much as you do.

But it's been a creative "drought" overall for quite some time now, and that's the reality of it... and YES, it's discouraging. Especially when Broadway gets all excited about reviving revivals.

So, I live with my classics, and I hope for the future.

And I try to forget about the current "state of the union."

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:21pm

I think that Jason Robert Brown has his own unique sound, and I don't really feel like Guettel rips off Sondheim. But I dunno, I'm not as knowledgeable about this stuff as some of you.

[Pascal/Menzel/Bundy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:23pm

"Can't one easily continuing loving the genre because of all the good and positive works that have been created since the form began?"

Exactly.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:57pm

I have had these feeling at times. It is just the older you get, the more revivals we discover. Everyone though has such different taste in Musicals so I am learning to look beyond my borders, for something more substantial, to entertain me. If I wanted to see re-runs over and over again, I'd just subscribe to Showtime.

What is difficult for me is when your variety is limited and some shows seems to go on...forever. I don't think I will ever tire of Musical Theatre. Luckily, if I feel blue, I can go and rent something obscure or one of my favorites and buy it, for comfort. If I just have to get out, at least now I can get on a Plane. I can go to Places like Toronto and New York, where they are still giving stage space to those inspired artists who are willing to bring a new story to life.

I think what may be the trouble is finding something you enjoy that is new or newer. We all suffer from that. It is why I keep asking for more recordings of popular shows. Relying completely on Hollywood doesn't seem the smart way for Theatres or Composers to go to, to expand their audiences or make more money off of a quality performance. It just has been limiting and keeping out quality Performers from showing us what really is the best in Theatre.

I don't mind Musical History. I am happy we have it. I think we suffered some because genius' are difficult to come by. Almost every composer has a flop now and then. A few new examples are emerging though, so hang in there. If a few musicals can't make you happy, you need to get out more.

Thanks for the suggestions too! I am always happy to find some new entertainment.