Bad grammar in musicals

Posted: 10/13/06 at 10:50pm

Since a lot of people here like to correct poster's spelling/grammar, what are some examples of bad grammar in musicals? :)

I always hated this excerpt from "Confrontation" in Miss Saigon:

Let me tell you the way it was
Back when I was a different man
Back when I didn't have a clue who I am

[jjoey076]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:04pm

Sorry...Good grammar: Jonathan Larson.

Almost everything in RENT works well, and there's even a time when ROGER says "to whom"...it baffles me that Larson, writing these average characters, would have them speak proper grammar.


Though, they are artists...which means they're super intellectual.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:08pm

Oh, please...

Better not look at Porgy & Bess or House of Flowers...


"I Never Has Seen Snow"... so sang a very young Diahann Carroll.

...and yet it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written for a musical.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:12pm

jjoey- Another show like that is Guys and Dolls. These shady, bad citizens use such proper english. Not once in the show does it say Didn't, Wouldn't, Shouldn't etc. It is would not, did not, does not, should not...

[jjoey076]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:18pm

The revival? Because in Havana, Nathan Lane says "He couldn't have, how could he? She couldn't have gone!"


But yes, besides those, the grammar is impeccable.

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:27pm

Haha, considering how I correct people all the time in everyday life....I find this thread absolutely HILARIOUSSSSSSS.

Especially what jjoey076 said. I notice that, too. I always laugh when something like that comes up.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:34pm

jjoey- I don't know about the revival, I am talking about in the original script.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:41pm

We also don't know if the actors are saying the words exactly as written.

[enjolrasissex]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:47pm

"Her Is" from Pajama Game. It drives me crazy.

[deloverly]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:12am

it always bothered me in RENT when Benny goes, "think twice before you poo-poo it."

[Prisoner 24601]

Posted: 10/14/06 at 12:16am

Bess, you is my woman now...