BROADWAY SECRETS: Wherein we confess our controversial opinions- Page 22

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 6:30am

Hellob said: "Falsettos was awful in 92 & does not need a revival. I don't ever need to see another show about people realizing they're gay or the like. Over it."

 

Maybe you should try the original three one-acts, In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, and Falsettoland (I believe Falsettos was a combo of the last two). You might care more about the story if you saw it spaced out and focusing on individual segments thereof. Falsettos has always felt slapped together to me, but reading the three original pieces or seeing them done offers a glimpse into a whole different (and, in my opinion, better) way of telling the story. You still don't feel very sympathetic for any of the characters, because, let's be real, they're not the most easy to sympathize with, but it's easier to care about them when you grow with them as opposed to charting two segments of their development crammed into one show.

Updated On: 9/3/15 at 06:30 AM

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 12:53pm

Showface said: "There needs to be more musical theatre songs for bass/baritones

 

"

As a bass, I completely agree.  I hated that the Forum revival upped the keys for Miles Gloriosus--a role I have played several times--and so have, now, the rental parts for it.  The last time I sung the role my MD smartly, I think, insisted that on the final "my bride"  I just drop two octaves instead of singing it in falsetto--the only way I could hit those notes as written.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 1:01pm

I saw Dean Jones in Company once. I saw Larry Kert three times. I thought Larry Kert was much better.

[rjm516]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 1:47pm

oh too soon. 

[Hellob]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 10:12pm

 

 

 

 

Maybe you should try the original three one-acts, In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, and Falsettoland 

I will look into that for sure, thanks for the tip! :)

 

"

 

[Hellob]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 10:14pm

xoffender45 said: "I walked out of Hamilton at intermission. Making it only the second show I've ever left. 

 

 Whaaat?! Why did u walk out? I've seen it a few too many times, so I'm kind of burnt out right now but I couldn't imagine what would make you leave the first time. The first time was magic. Where did it go bad for u?

 

"

 

[firebolts]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 10:53pm

• I absolutely avoid everything Idina Menzel is in. I cannot believe that she made it big. Her "singing" is awful. I *might* have enjoyed Frozen more if she weren't in it - Elsa sounded like an old man who just finished chain smoking every time she spoke! Such awful casting.
•  
• I fell asleep when I saw PotO for the first time on Broadway; but, I have a soft spot for Emma Rossum's Christine (oops). 
•  
• I can't stand Amanda Seyfried's voice. She doesn't sing - she warbles. Someone needs to teach that girl how to breathe properly when she "sings." She can barely hold a note, too. People need to stop casting her in musicals. And Anne Hathaway as well. Perhaps even Hugh Jackman. 
•  
• I like Lin-Manuel Miranda, but my God, he is annoying on social media with his constant tweets and self-praising. I am always tempted to mute him on Twitter, but I never will.
•  
• I really enjoyed Finding Neverland - I wish it got more recognition.
•  
• Something Rotten is awful - I listened to the cast recording once and never listened to it again. 
•  
• I want to like The Bridges of Madison Country, but it is so boring except for a couple of songs.

 

I don't like Tony Yazbeck's voice. I really wanted to enjoy On the Town, but I couldn't because of him. He is a wonderful actor, though, and quite charming, but his voice just irritates me. 

Updated On: 9/3/15 at 10:53 PM

[skies]

Posted: 9/6/15 at 1:59pm

 

The Diary of Anne Frank is a mediocre play.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/7/15 at 12:52am

I saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on tour. I hated it. Even my own hatred took me by surprise. I can't think of any other show I had a worse time at (even Lestat).

I liked most of the cast, but there was so much more surrounding terribleness to deal with...

[jiff]

Posted: 9/15/15 at 9:31am

The children in the recent telecast of The Sound of Music (the one with Carrie Underwood) should have won a best ensemble award or something. 

No matter how well written, Hamlet's dilemma is not all that interesting.  

 

[Crazy NooNooHead]

Posted: 9/16/15 at 12:17am

I didn't like Matilda.

 

I thought Nikki M. James was great as Éponine.

[DigificWriter]

Posted: 9/17/15 at 3:08am

Two more unpopular opinions I don't think I've mentioned:

* Carrie Underwood did just fine as Maria in The Sound of Music LIVE

 

* Peter Pan LIVE was the best professional rendition of that show that I've personally seen, with good to great performances from the cast all around (yes, including Christopher Walken)

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/17/15 at 9:22am

Terri Klausner is the only Eva who nailed the entire first act of "Evita," (and I saw 'em all, friend in the cast), bringing both musical theater chops and sexuality. Unless you can see why everyone wanted to f--k this hot young woman, the whole thing makes no damn sense. Every Eva seemed cast to play act two, the drag part, and the first third is the hardest to make sense (Madonna, in an even uglier wig, had the same problem; watch again)

 

I wished Jonathan Pryce had been allowed to wear the West End Eurasian make-up in the American "Miss Saigon."  Yes, I know why he couldn't.  Don't school or shame me, I know exactly why it's wrong.  Offensive. I still wanted to see it. 

 

Every single thing Tom Stoppard ever wrote, a couple of scenes in "The Real Thing" aside, bores the bejesus outta me. Few plays are as insufferable, on the page or stage, as "Arcadia."  The single longest night in the theater, ever.  Waterboarding? Nothing compared to 20 minutes of "Arcadia."

 

"Equus" is brilliantly written, riveting theater, and a lot of hooey. For all its agonizing, not really about a damned thing. 

 

Goldman's original (circa Winter Garden) book for "Follies" is smart, sharp and wonderful, the most unfairly maligned script in the history of musical theater.

 

I hated "Our Town" until I was middle aged; I now think it's one of the most perfect works of art ever conceived.

 

Landford Wilson won the Pulitzer for the wrong play. And on that subject: the fact that Annie Baker has a Pulitzer and John Guare does not makes me effing crazy.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 9/17/15 at 09:22 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/17/15 at 9:32am

I agree 100% with skies about "Diary of Anne Frank," the original text. I directed an amateur production in my youth.  It's excrutiatingly dull to rehearse, many scenes flatly set forth, often dramatically flaccid.  Actors are routinely cautioned not to "play the end."  With this story, you must revisit the tragic ending repeatedly to re-set the stakes, a kind of theater game technique, because the play that meanders toward the final devastation is is so long-winded and elliptical.  (If anyone has worked with the Kesselman update, recently staged site-specific without intermission, please report.) 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/17/15 at 10:51am

Auggie, I don't agree with much of what you said, but I love how you said it.

 

I DO agree with your comments on Our Town.   While I'm not convinced about my age having done it, for me it was Cormier's vision that simply held my soul.

[c0113g3b0y]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 4:16am

Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess and Hadley Fraser SHOULD NOT have been the Phantom, Christine and Raoul in the 25th anniversary RAH Phantom performance. Especially Ramin and Sierra given the disgusting and awful Paint Never Dries connection.

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 1:30pm

I read Our Town in high school and saw a very good production in college.   I knew it was good, but it didn't really move me.   Now that I am older, I do need to see this again.   I am sure the experience would be totally different.

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 12:27pm

Listening to Carol Burnett on Howard Stern last week reminded me of how much I loved Moon Over Buffalo in the late 90's. I know that play is not well-regarded here, but I think that that was the most I've ever laughed at any stage production, period.  There were 3 of us for that trip, and all of us were hysterical by the end of the show. 

 

We also saw Victor Victoria during that visit. Seeing 2 of my childhood favorites, Julie and Carol, within days of each other was beyond amazing. Looking back on this, I can't believe how fortunate I was to experience this. Theatre nirvana for me. 

Updated On: 9/21/15 at 12:27 PM

[EvanK]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 1:02pm

I love Bernadette as a person/actress. I can't really stand her voice. 

[dissimilate]

Posted: 9/23/15 at 2:46pm

I like Idina Menzel. (Yes, I believe this is rather controversial, given that most people on this thread seem to hate her.) I think she has a really interesting voice – or at least she used to, before age/pregnancy/stress killed the treble tones in it. I just wish she would stop being so insecure and that she would understand her limits better. For example, who the f*** thought it was a good idea for her to sing in the cold at New Year’s? It was guaranteed to go wrong. And when she did Chess in London – no, just no.

 

I also think she can really act quite well, but everyone ignores that because they’re offended by her screeching.

 

Finally, I like her best in whore-type roles. Yeah yeah I like hearing her Elphaba, but Eden Espinosa and Willemijn Verkaik sound gorgeous as well. Conversely, no one can match her on Lippa’s The Wild Party.

Updated On: 9/23/15 at 02:46 PM

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 11/15/15 at 1:41am

Lea Salonga is a and a pretty weak singer. She was wonderful as Kim but she's fallen short of everything else. There's not a single role I'd pay for see her in. I'd be more interested in Allegiance if her understudy, the girl from the web series, was playing her role.

Updated On: 11/15/15 at 01:41 AM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/15/15 at 1:47am

Danny Burstein is way overrated.

[BobBenson]

Posted: 11/15/15 at 2:53am

How does Sierra Bogess get work??? She is dull as dishwater. I'd rather watch paint dry or bank surveillance video than watch her cooch in anything. She must have some good dirt (pictures/goats/use your imagination)  on someone to keep getting roles. And originating them at that!!!!

[c0113g3b0y]

Posted: 11/15/15 at 2:58am

BobBenson said: "How does Sierra Bogess get work??? She is dull as dishwater. I'd rather watch paint dry or bank surveillance video than watch her cooch in anything. She must have some good dirt (pictures/goats/use your imagination)  on someone to keep getting roles. And originating them at that!!!!

 

"

nah, she got lucky because of being cast in POTO's 25th anniversary basically. that gig really elevated her  profile. 

oh you mean, she has dirt on ALW? lol.. even Patti has dirt on him.

[hork]

Posted: 11/15/15 at 2:48pm

I don't think Hamilton is a good musical. It's like "Schoolhouse Rap" with a few nice songs here and there. It's all telling and little showing, and it's gruelingly repetitive and dramatically shapeless (plus it's a musical in which a large part of the drama hinges on the federal government agreeing to take on states' debts, which zzzzzz).