BROADWAY SECRETS: Wherein we confess our controversial opinions — Page 9

I might as well join in. I can tell you my opinions are vastly different from people my age.

- I don't understand the appeal of "rock" musicals. Musical theater was defined as big orchestras and dance numbers (demonstrated by Oklahoma!). While shows like Once as great in their own way, I wish we saw more of the past than 4 piece orchestras blaring out notes.

- That being said, I do not get the fascination my generation has with shows like Rent or Next to Normal. They're completely overrated.

- I wish high schoolers had more of an appreciation for classic musicals like The Music Man and Carousel. We're actually doing Carousel at my school right now and at first, our director called it off because people complained that it was "too old" and nobody would come to see it.

- I love Phantom of the Opera

- I hate Sarah Brightman and her phlemy, chipmunk-like voice.

- I find ALW's obsession with Sierra Boggess creepy.

- I wish Sierra Boggess would tie herself to bigger vehicles here on Broadway rather than the West End. I'd love to see her as Eliza in the rumored 'My Fair Lady' revival.

- I find Idina Menzel incredibly overrated.

Updated On: 12/21/13 at 09:37 PM

"I don't care for Stritch, Liza, Channing, or any other singer that used to have a voice, but now sound like a rickety old barrel rattling with the wind. Please stop putting people on the stage for maudlin sentimental reasons or just "to watch them crash and burn"."

You do realize that both Stritch and Channing never had a nice voice, right? They were hired because they were amazing actors and could deliver a song and a performance like none other. Back then, personalities were hired, not just bloodless good voices. Half of the job of a musical theatre actor is to DELIVER the song, not just stand there and look pretty, which is what we have alot of today: attractive actors with American Idol style voices that wouldn't know how to deliver a song if Dorothy Loudon herself gave them a master class. And if you don't know who Dorothy Loudon is don't bother googling her, becuase you'll just blindly put her in that same category of amazing actresses that you just mentioned.

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Updated On: 12/22/13 at 01:09 AM

"ALW has never been involved in a good musical."

Glenbuck Laird,

You didn't like By Jeeves?

By Jove!

I think Cherry Jones and Company's The Glass Menagerie is an over praised piece of nothing set in Peewee's Playhouse. The Judith Ivy production (although taking too many liberties at times with Williams' original) was far superior and more emotionally charged.

I also think everyone was taken in by the adoration from the critics and is awakening to the truth. Word of mouth must be ho-hum. See grosses.

JayG 2, what didn't you like about this new Glass Menagerie? I seems pretty incredible to me, though I haven't seen it yet. Going in early January. Would love to have seen the Judith Light one...I just love the play.

Did you self appoint to be an understudy? Those titles are pre-determined by BWW simply based on the number of posts you have made. Sheesh.

If you don't like the majority of posters here, then why bother coming by? You certainly won't change things by chastising people. That only makes you look bad.

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I staunchly believe the A CHRISTMAS STORY should have won best score over both KINKY BOOTS and MATILDA.

I cannot stand GUYS AND DOLLS. I don't know why but I just don't like it.

"I think Sondheim die-hards are the most obnoxious people to walk this planet."

Well, some of them are. Perhaps many of them are. But there are some nice Sondheim fans as well. I even know a few. I wouldn't try discussing his work with them in anything but a flattering light, however, or one risks having hell to pay.

For my part, I would say I'm thoroughly put off by Sondheim's work, but, that not's really a controversial opinion. It's a majority opinion. Perhaps not here among his most blaringly intolerant adulators, but certainly among the theatregoing public at large.

Again, an opinion that would be considered controversial here, and here only: I can't abide the etiolated, whiny, dreary music and shows that receive raves from the oh-so-hip "critics" of today.

Darrey,

You raise some very good points. Personally, I thought Victoria Clark's get-up was as ugly as sin.

I LOVED the dress that Victoria wore for Macy’s Thanksgivings Parade. I really wish they had stuck with that dress or refined it then settling on the Pink one they have her in, as the new one is a lot less detailed and more boring.

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I think Annaleigh Ashford is a one trick pony who's been playing the same character for several years and her shtick has both gotten old quickly and also only works about 40% of the time. Recently when I've seen her onstage, it seems like she'll do anything for a cheap laugh at the detriment of the show and her scene partners. She's talented, sure, I just don't find her nearly as interesting a performer as many seem to. Her Tony nomination to me seemed ridiculous to me, especially over Rachel Bay Jones.

"I think Annaleigh Ashford is a one trick pony who's been playing the same character for several years and her shtick has both gotten old quickly and also only works about 40% of the time. Recently when I've seen her onstage, it seems like she'll do anything for a cheap laugh at the detriment of the show and her scene partners. She's talented, sure, I just don't find her nearly as interesting a performer as many seem to. Her Tony nomination to me seemed ridiculous to me, especially over Rachel Bay Jones."

I actually thought that for awhile too, especially looking back at her Wicked clips on Youtube.
But after I saw her act in Masters of Sex, she totally changed my mind. I honestly think she belongs on TV!