Finally saw the 4th of the Best Musicals... — Page 2

Yeah. Some of the lyrics are too poetic to the point of just not making any common sense. And they just don't lend much in the sense of character development. They're too vague at times.

And I don't really enjoy Grey Gardens score that much either. I think it has its moments, though.

I don't think SA should gt best score simply because it's got "different" music in it.

But then how do you explain lyrics for the girls in "My Junk"? They're not depressed and on the verge of suicide.

What I don't understand is how people say this is how teens speak. Well, I'm the same age as the characters, and I don't speak like that. Hell, even the idiots at my school can speak more coherently.

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See, the sad thing is, that IS how a lot of teens talk. And that's why so many teens can relate to the music. As I said, I'm not a fan of the lyrics in My Junk, but my friend (who's my age and a girl) tells me that that really does communicate how a lot young teen girls talk and think. At times it does seem like an older guy writing what he thinks teens would say, but for the most part I think he's pretty dead on.

Plus, I don't know how often anyone is on instant messenger, but I cannot count how many times I've seen someone with an away message quoting Spring Awakening. These kids are relating not only to the music, but the lyrics too.

I've never heard ANYONE speak like that.

And I've never heard anyone use the phrase "my junk."

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Double post...

Updated On: 5/17/07 at 01:02 AM

I'm not blaming Sheik. As I said, I love his music.

But Sater's lyrics, for the most part, suck.

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Wow, I forgot to censor sh*t and they bleeped it out automatically! Cool!

I just finished seeing the four BEST MUSICAL nominees.

For me, GREY GARDENS is the only one I think deserving of it. I posted my thoughts on that show when I saw it - I had never been so emotionally attached to a show before.

SPRING AWAKENING is an OK show suffering from an inconsistent production that really, for me, detracted from the material. I felt no sympathy for the characters (maybe a little for Moritz during I DON'T DO SADNESS). I do agree with the lyrics - and have always said they tried to be poetic but rarely did anything for a piece of theatre. Even rock musicals need to have theatricality to their lyrics.

MARY POPPINS - I agree with munk re: the darkness. I was loving the simplicity of FEED THE BIRDS and the darker toned feeling - I didn't want it to end! It was really the few times I was hooked into the show (but then again I love dark shows). I feel terrible saying this, but I was bored out of my mind during the CHERRY LANE bits and the Banks parents songs (though delivered well). I wanted spectacle! I wanted more tricks! I love minimalist theatre - but it was tough to go from amazing effects to tiny little numbers. Overall, I didn't think it was a complete disaster (far from, in fact) and Gavin Lee really owned the show.

Side note, the balcony seemed full, the back corners of the orchestra were empty, and much of the mezzanine was empty. People went wild for the final flying effect (and the ceiling tap dance).

CURTAINS was a lot of fun but mainly because of the amazing cast. The material is not bad - but every song seemed to begin the same way. And for a murder mystery they seemed to skim over some important facts pretty fast. But, in all, it was what you look for in a night's (or day's) entertainment.

Having seen these four shows, FAME BECOMES ME , PIRATE QUEEN, and LOVEMUSIK (will get to Legally Blonde eventually...I think those were the biggies of the season) I can safely say - and perhaps will be the target of much disagreement - but the right shows were nominated for the Tony.

SPRING AWAKENING is the rocky, edgy, so-called different piece.
GREY GARDENS is the smart, hauntingly emotional piece.
CURTAINS is the fun night out - all about entertainment.
MARY POPPINS is a well put together, well-known piece.

I think LEGALLY BLONDE could have taken MARY POPPINS slot there - but maybe MP is better than LB? When it comes to LOVEMUSIK, GREY GARDENS is a much better "intellectual" show. CURTAINS - which has the same tongue in cheek humor as FAME BECOMES ME, has that sentimental, diva cast thing going for it.

Updated On: 5/17/07 at 01:13 AM

BSoBW2, I pretty much agree with you. I did think Legally Blonde was better than Mary Poppins, though it still wouldn't seem right for it to be up for a TONY for best musical. And I thought Curtains was a disappointment, but I didn't see Fame Becomes Me so I can't compare them. Frankly I think it's between Grey Gardens and Spring Awakening and I hope Grey Gardens takes it.

gumbo, what does that have to do with the show? Of course teens curse, that's what they do, but they don't say things like

"Come, cream away the bliss,
Travel the world within my lips,
Fondle the pearl of your distant dreams..."

No one speaks like that. And if they worked it into the whole show, it would work, but they dont.

Well, I think FAME BECOMES ME was a better show than CURTAINS.

But FBM has two things working against it. First, you have to think the show has any merit - as any other show. Secondly, if you aren't a Martin Short fan, that will hurt your like of the show.

I think the show was put in a weird position because it was a faux-one man show. It was an original musical based on the comedy of its lead.

Becoz, he is allowed to express his opinion.

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Actually, I think I enjoyed MARY POPPINS and LEGALLY BLONDE the same amount, with similar reservations about each.

On the "goodness" scale, I would definitely pair them together.

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