Curtains- family friendly?

[istillbelieve24601]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:13pm

For my graduation, my grandparents are going to take me to see a show in NY. The problem is, my grandparents are strict Christians and conservative republicans, so while my first instinct would be to see something like Spring Awakening, I have to pick a show where they won't make me leave at intermission. Is Curtains family-friendly? I know it's a big, get-happy musical, but I was listening to the soundtrack in the car with another devout Christian and Republican family member and some things made him wince a little.

If not Curtains, is The Drowsy Chaperone family friendly? I didn't hear anything bad on the recording, I just didn't like the music very much... how's the current cast?

[courtnyj]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:19pm

Drowsy Chaperone is more "family friendly" than Curtains.


PS: My grandma loved both shows. Updated On: 6/19/07 at 08:19 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:21pm

I can't speak for the book, but Curtains has a few raunchy lyrics that might be too much for the uber Christian crowd. It's nothing too serious. I'd take my little sister, but she watches Sex and the City so it's nothing she hasn't heard before.

There's lyrics like "What kind of putz would squeeze your nuts like that..." and another really funny one that I can't remember right now. It's a tough call. You know your grandparents better than we do.
Updated On: 6/19/07 at 08:21 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:21pm

Curtains has the occasional "bitch" and "sh*t" plus some adult humor, but I wouldn't say it's 100% inappropriate to take younger people to. If they're really strict though, go with Drowsy Chaperone.

Updated On: 6/19/07 at 08:21 PM

[Jellylorum]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:22pm

In Curtains, there's some profanity and jokes about murder. The Drowsy Chaperone is more familiy friendly, but there are a lot of alcohol jokes (obviously).

How conservative are your grandparents? Most moderately conservative people shouldn't have a problem with either.

Updated On: 6/19/07 at 08:22 PM

[istillbelieve24601]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:23pm

Ok, thanks... I remember that being one of the lyrics my other relative was offended at. There's nothing visually offensive, is there? I'm actually not too worried about the lyrics, my grandparents tend to fall asleep the minute they enter a theatre and completely zone out the lyrics, but if they see something they may object to it...

EDIT: My grandparents are go to church every single day and listen to Rush Limbaugh 24/7 people, but Miss Saigon is one of their favorite shows, so it's a bit confusing to know what they abide...

Updated On: 6/19/07 at 08:23 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:24pm

In Curtains during "Thataway!" the guys stick their heads in between the girls' legs.

[sondhead]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:25pm

There's lots of sex humor and an "F" bomb in Curtains.. don't take the southerners to it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:29pm

A lot of shows on Broadway nowadays have sexual references or lyrics that make people wince even if the show as a whole is not racy at all. Your safe bets are Disney musicals like Beauty and the Beast or Mary Poppins.

Do you think they'll make you leave during intermission based on what we're describing in Curtains?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:30pm

Uh...Drowsy has the bit about the spooning and the bit about comparing musical theatre to pornography. And of course, nowadays an aviatrix would be called a lesbian. Let's not forget that.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:37pm

Hmm. Drowsy also has the whole thing with The chaperone and Adolpho sleeping together and some sexual innuendos. Curtains drops the F bomb and has some sexual humour. There's also some suggestive dancing in Curtains. I would say Drowsy is more family friendly, but just by a hair.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:46pm

Agreed.

[Anakela]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:49pm

...I have to pick a show where they won't make me leave at intermission.

There's also the Drowsy has no intermission factor, so if they did want to walk out at that intermission time you'd be leaving at the end of the show anyway. :)

[ahmelie]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 8:51pm

My school saw Curtains and there was 6th graders in the audience, I don't believe anyone had a problem with it.

If that helps.

[worrell4077]

Posted: 6/19/07 at 9:27pm

"A lot of shows on Broadway nowadays have sexual references or lyrics "

That's so true. The best example of that is Spring Awakening wit the sex scene at the end of Act I and the beginning of Act II

[StageFan2]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 6:14am

If your grandparents aren't gonna listen to dialogue or lyrics much, there really isn't a problem. The profanity is really minimal and not really profane in todays society. "Thataway" does have some pretty suggestive dancing, but it moves along so quickly and there's so much to watch during that number it may not be to uncomfortable for them, (especially if they're half-asleep).

On the other hand, since they're card carrying Republicans, they will love the sentiments expressed by, "It's a Business"!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 7:40am

"There's lots of sex humor and an "F" bomb in Curtains.. don't take the southerners to it."

Hey! That was uncalled for sondhead. I met more religious and conservative freaks (not generalizing, I'm referring to specific people) when I lived in the greater Chicago area than I EVER did when I was growing up in the south! Yes, there are places that tend towards more conservative, but even then you'll find the occasional liberal thrown in.

FWIW, this southern girl who now calls NYC home cannot WAIT to see Curstins.

Updated On: 6/20/07 at 07:40 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 7:48am

No offense, seriously -- but why would you want to see a show with these folks? If they're so conservative, don't take them to a Broadway musical, seriously. Have them buy a few movie tickets and give you the cash for the extra $100 per ticket that they would have wasted on a Broadway show. How are you supposed to enjoy a Broadway show if you're going to be so concerned about them getting offended and dragging you out at intermission? What a waste.

CURTAINS: Read Ben Brantley's review (The New York Times) -- he talks of how offended people would have been in 1959 at the sight of Rob Ashford's "crotch-centered choreography." Not to mention 4-letter words up the wazoo and low brow sex jokes galore.

DROWSY: The main character is a prancy feminine homosexual male who, at the sight of his favorite male Broadway star of yesteryear, visibly pulls his cardigan sweater down over his crotch to cover up his erection from the audience.

Good luck!

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 8:43am

Did your grandparents watch the tv show "Frasier?" I often see many older people heading to see Curtains...many because they saw DHP on tv. (and they usually love Curtains)

I think your best bet is Curtains or Drowsy Chaperone. Both were enjoyable and not offensive. Good luck!

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 9:29am

I think all of the religious yahoos should just stay home and leave those of us in NY alone.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 9:30am

Amen, sister baddad.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 10:24am

I guess Ben Brantley never saw a Michael Kidd number. Kidd's 1953 "Quadrille" for Can-Can is every bit as suggestive and "crotch-centered" as anything in Curtains.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 10:38am

I agree with Smaxie. I haven't seen many shows that have fewer "suggestive" moments than CURTAINS. It's really been exaggerated.

[D2]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 10:53am

GYPSY. 1959. Strippers. 'nuff said.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 10:57am

Its only theatre for gods- oops! sake! Try 'Mary Poppins'! Shame 'Oh! Calcutta' isnt still running! How can they be offended by the lyrics of 'Curtains!' ?