Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
Ha ha!
Plus, it's obvious he doesn't see the shows he slams. He could not have come away from seeing "Ring of Keys" performed in "Fun Home" and misinterpreted it the way he did unless he is actually less than 1/3 as smart as he thinks he is. What he had to say was so wrong-headed it could only come from somebody who has read about the scene or heard from somebody else who saw it.
Most everything he writes can be made up after reading some show publicity. ANYBODY could do it, but only A8 does it all the time.
It's a blockbuster Broadway show. This is what happens. It's happened before. Before the internet really exploded, I remember this sort of thing happening with Cats, Phantom, Les Mis (the 20/20 special inspired my first trip to Broadway), Miss Saigon, Rent and The Lion King. Hell, even Aida was incessantly discussed when it opened. Later, we had The Producers, Hairspray, Wicked, Spring Awakening, Book of Mormon and now Hamilton. The one big hit I don't remember being a constant hot topic was Jersey Boys. Why do we still complain about it every time as if it's something entirely new? The only thing that's really changed is our own reliance on the internet and social media as a constant source for news and information. Personally, I don't read all the headlines and I don't click on all the threads, so it doesn't bother me. Actually, I'm thrilled that there is a new blockbuster musical and one that I absolutely loved when I saw it. And like all blockbusters, the headlines and hype will fade with time. If you don't want to see the show because it's "overhyped" or there's "too much buzz", that's your prerogative. It just has nothing to do with whether you will like the show itself or not. Personally, if I hadn't been lucky enough to see it the first week in previews on Broadway, I'd still be dying to see it. I'm actually dying to see it again. Or at least get ONE reasonably priced ticket for my mother before the original cast leaves.
@newintown yes we can agree to disagree about what history is supposed to do and also what Chernow does. I'd rather convince you that you are wrong however I don't know about you but I've had my beliefs about things questioned and changed on here so yeah it does happen...
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
" I know a lot more about the founding of the United States now than I did a year ago - and that's largely because of this show."
What a pathetic admission. One would think one would be too embarrassed to state such a thing in a public forum. (I guess that a certain modicum of intelligence is required to know what is embarrassing, however.)
To think that someone has to rely on a Broadway musical to "learn" about the most basic facts of our country's history? Goes to show what a great job our "educational" system is doing.
But then, we know that already.
Stand-by Joined: 8/29/13
I saw Hamilton, and would love to see it again, but IMO all the hype is just too much. It's a really good show - mazel tov! They're sold out for the next year at big prices, and they'll sell out for years to come. Why don't they save that documentary for 2017? I can't remember another show celebrating themselves this much.... BOM? The Producers? Leave space for some other shows to catch folks imagination. .
After Eight said: "What a pathetic admission."
I would suggest that your use of the word pathetic is not a really swell idea. And I would suggest that people who have manifestly evinced that they have lived in some very lousy houses of education probably ought not to throw stones. But aside from all that, I would hope that I never read a book or see a show from which I don't learn something and get inspired to dig deeper.
Kad said: "Great, you guys are over it or as not into it or were not impressed or don't wanna see it. I'll mint up the "I'm Unique" medals for you. "
Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't aware we weren't allowed to state minority opinions on here. Believe me, I don't want to be unique here. I wanted to love Hamilton, and I'm jealous of the people who do love it. I wish I loved anything as much as some people love Hamilton.
Those who speak ill of you know what shall henceforth be burned at the stake and than drawn and quartered.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
"I wasn't aware we weren't allowed to state minority opinions on here."
Perhaps it's because you're relatively new here.
But now you know. You toe the party line ---- or else!
Well said and sadly true.
@hork-I don't (and I don't think Kad does either) begrudge anyone their minority opinion. We've all had them. But if you go back to the OP, and follow through the majority of the "right on" posts that followed it, ya gotta admit that there are a bunch of people who are wearing their dislike of the show as a badge of honor, pride and in some cases superiority. That's what's being called out-not someone who posts that they wish they loved the show as much as some others do.
Hogans - Actually, only After Eight, Dave19, taboo (sort of) and myself have expressed open dislike of the show. I'm not seeing any indications of a sense of superiority, but even if there were some, Kad was pretty inclusive in his comment ("you guys are over it or as not into it or were not impressed or don't wanna see it" ). I thought it was uncalled for, particularly in a thread about too much hype.
Updated On: 1/19/16 at 09:48 PM
I didn't particularly love Hamilton, but I haven't been called out for mentioning that fact.
Probably because I'm not an insular sanctimonious panicky semi-racist dick about it.
Updated On: 1/20/16 at 09:58 PM
I'm getting tired of actually describing to my THEATRE and non theatre friends what Broadway is at the same they ask about Hamilton is. I usually divert them to the Broadway theatre Wikipedia page.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/07
I say to you what Mrs. Lovett says to Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, "Die! Die! God in heaven - die!" I don't object to different opinions, but you are one sorry SOB. May you spend eternity listening to the scores of every musical you hate sung live and off key!
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
Probably because I'm not an insular sanctimonious panicky semi-racist dick about it.
Annnnnnnnnnnnnd BINGO!
I really enjoyed Hamilton, very well done in every aspect. It's one of the most unique theater experiences I've ever had. That being said, I have no interest in listening to the OBC recording or reliving the experience over and over. I choose to enjoy the memory of seeing it for what is was the night I saw it. The anticipation, the excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd, the overall experience was wonderful and the added bonus is I only paid $77.
I totally agree with Taboo that is is entirely overhyped, much like The Producers was 15 years ago. Lin-Manual Miranda is a wonderfully talented person who is slowly becoming the modern day Mel Brooks for overexposure for his show. Mel was way over the top with radio and tvappearances, CD signings, and with the social media of today, Hamilton has now exceeded that hype, imo.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
There are so many movies, TV shows, recordings and books that are over-hyped that I'm delighted when it happens to a theatrical production. Whether or not I think Hamilton is the second coming doesn't matter. The fact that it's put the theater into the national discourse does.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/31/15
Wilmingtom said: "There are so many movies, TV shows, recordings and books that are over-hyped that I'm delighted when it happens to a theatrical production. Whether or not I think Hamilton is the second coming doesn't matter. The fact that it's put the theater into the national discourse does."
Exactly. I'd much rather see a hundred articles on Hamilton than a thousand on Adele or Star Wars.
Also, why wouldn't the creatives make as much of the (natural) hype the show is getting by adding to it? Not only does it make good business sense but a lot of Hamilton fans have only heard the album, not seen the show. Things like the documentary or Ham4Ham shows are a way to give back to these kinds of people who can't afford to see it or are too far away.
Updated On: 1/20/16 at 06:18 AMBroadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
"Exactly. I'd much rather see a hundred articles on Hamilton than a thousand on Adele or Star Wars."
Funny, I'd much rather see a thousand --- or even 100,000 articles on Adele or Star Wars --- than even one more article on Hamilton.
It calls to mind a lyric in Happy Hunting: "The whole thing's become absurd."
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/31/15
Well whichever you're a bigger fan of, if you think Hamilton is even half as media-exposed as either Adele or Star Wars then you're mistaken. So if the Hamilton hype is absurd then who knows what you would call the hype for the other things.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
^^^
aaaaaa,
I'm not a fan of either Adele or Star Wars (I've never listened to a song by Adele, nor have I seen a Star Wars movie.) So the number of articles accorded them don't concern me in the least.
But I am a fan of the theatre. A lifelong fan. And the ridiculous overhype of this show is beyond absurd.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
We must also not underestimate how brainwashed and musically challenged the new generation is.
The only thing they recognize is cheap rap. That might be why this "Destiny's child karaoke show" hits a spot of recognition for them?
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/31/15
Fair enough, After Eight, you have your opinion on it. It certainly differs from mine as I believe most of the hype is justified with perhaps the exception of the articles on BWW chronicling Lin-Manuel Miranda's tweets. I find it exciting and refreshing to see a musical this focused on, especially one that I enjoy.
Dave19, the vast majority of the audience when I saw Hamilton were over the age of 35. I have seen/heard of many people past retirement age praising the show.
The only two songs that remotely resemble Destiny's Child are 'The Schuyler Sisters' and 'Helpless'. 'Helpless' was actually inspired by the Beyonce song 'Countdown' but in my opinion is far better than it. You also contradict yourself when you call the show cheap rap, but yet say it is Destiny's Child karaoke. They were an R&B group, not a rap group.
Updated On: 1/20/16 at 08:41 AM
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