I love both WEST SIDE STORY and THE MUSIC MAN...and obviously the "norm" and political climate has changed since the year both of those shows open - and while many could argue that THE MUSIC MAN won simply because it was "safer", I don't know that I necessarily agree with that.
I think WEST SIDE STORY's score, direction, and choreography were the show's strong points- and while it's an undeniably well-crafted, near-brilliant musical, I think it's right that THE MUSIC MAN won, and it's a show I hold near to my heart.
And as for the entire DREAMGIRLS/NINE debacle, the award for Best Musical is prettty irrelevant, as both are musical theatre gems. No matter which musical won, just as many people would have been upset that the other one lost. One of them had to loose, and who knows - maybe NINE won by a single vote.
Personally, I think NINE is a far, far better show than DREAMGIRLS. Yes, the direction and production elements of DREAMGIRLS were revolutionary - but just on paper - NINE is just a better, more layered, more touching show.
DREAMGIRLS has a good score - but NINE has a brilliant score.
DREAMGIRLS is a good time with some touching moments and one brilliant song - but NINE has a dozen brilliant songs, and the effects of the show are relevatory, atleast for me. NINE is something that has spoken to me since the day I saw it.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
