Great Comet moved me. And many others.

I'm really getting sick and tired of this narrative that Comet is a soulless spectacle.

It is a show that personally has helped me get through periods of depression in my life... Pierre's journey to find something that would justify the continuation of his life is something that a lot of people struggle with on a daily basis, and empathize with.

Similarly, many female friends of mine are inspired by Natasha's resilient attitude towards society, and admire how she goes after what she wants.

As for whether it's hitting a "popular chord" in the nation right now... Since when does the nation's opinion really matter in discussing the content of a piece of work? Quite often the best musicals are entirely left out of the national spotlight at the time they are originally produced (see most of Sondheim's catalog). Many friends of mine are afraid to voice how much the show moves them because they are immediately shut down.

I could write essays about the emotional content in this show. One thing the "Fansens" and CFA fans should realize is that trashing other people's shows doesn't put you ahead in this race. It just makes people like your show less.

haterobics said: "Just stop your crying, it's a sign of the times ...



"

What do you mean by this?

Liza's Headband said: "You seem a little unhinged... Did this require its own thread? Perhaps I'm wrong but I'm not noticing any more-than-ordinary amount bashing.



"

I made a thread because I think that it would be a good place to discuss the emotional content of Great Comet. I've noticed a common theme in most threads that anybody who tries to bring up the idea that Comet might actually be (gasp) a deep and well-written musical is ignored or written off. A debate is needed!

And how am I unhinged? Is it bc I've shared how a show has impacted me? Isn't that what the DEH and CFA fans do all day?

Ok, you got me. They don't literally post every minute of every day. But it does feel that way sometimes!

It'd be nice if you tried to actually have a debate about the content of the argument at hand...

Great Comet touched me as an artist in a way that DEH never could and never will because of its artistry - there is so much there and so many levels to wind through. In particular, the character of Sonya strikes a chord in my heart and my life right now.

That being said, I think there is a need for a thread such as this. All over Facebook fan groups, on Twitter, and in some threads here, the DEH fans are piling up on The Great Comet/Come From Away/whatever else they see as a threat trying to quantify the artistry of the show. The Great Comet, in particular, seems to have fans who really love it or people who sincerely hate it with few in between.

I think the problem is that DEH has a lot of younger fans who believe that social media bullying has an impact on what will actually happen. These are the people who loved Hamilton and watched it win/win/win and believe that DEH should do the same, but that isn't what this season is about. Interestingly enough, I don't see people who prefer CFA doing that.

Actually,I've experienced the opposite. Critics of DEH pretentiously dismissing it as a tween melodrama with no artistic value. There's a smug superiority on both sides.



By the way, if the teens losing their collective minds over DEAR EVAN HANSEN miss the dark irony and the proverbial bitch slap directed towards them, some deep analysis required.

I think it's interesting that both of these shows have leading men who are struggling with mental disorders. For my part, as someone who's struggling with depression, I identified much more with Pierre's slow struggle towards enlightenment than I did with anything in DEH. I can totally see why another person would find "Waving through a Window" or "You Will Be Found" more personal than "Pierre" or "Dust and Ashes", but for me, seeing Pierre give Natasha hope and finally connect with someone is one of the most hopeful moments of the season. Obviously the artistry is amazing, but the idea there's no emotional connection with Great Comet is ludicrous. There are many quieter moments and the actors, especially Groban, Benton, Ashford, and Gray, really get you to empathize with their characters.

Popular shows always get bashed for being popular, especially by fans of the competition. Nothing new or unusual is happening here. Same immature nonsense that happens every year.

It moved me and a lot of others too...right to the exits...gasping for air that we wasted money that we could have used to see Aladdin for the 2nd time or buy a street dog

Call_me_jorge said: "I'm obsessed with that song! Can't wait to hear the full album. "

Second single dropped today.

I liked both, slightly preferred Comet, but don't really care which wins... since, in no other aspect of my life do I need to rank Russian-themed electropop musicals and suicide-inspired social anxiety/redemption musicals in order.

Liza's Headband said: "WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE DEH OR COMET? WHY CAN'T IT BE DEH AND COMET???



"

Because it's nearly impossible to have a draw out of over 800 voters

Both Great Comet and DEH moved me and I thought they were both fantastic new musicals. I don't understand why both can't be considered great works and why one MUST be better than the other like there's some kind of ridiculous competition that you've all made up. Just enjoy that we have so many wonderful new musicals this year.