Grey Gardens a Musical or a Play with music?

I say it's a musical.

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It's a musical. Souvenir is a play with music. The History Boys is a play with music. Grey Gardens is a musical.

Spring Awakening is a play with music? Wait, what?

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I really don't think that a musical or a play with music is a matter of opinion.

That is almost like me saying that a TV miniseries and a TV show is a matter of opinion.

Spring Awakening won Best Musical not Best Play.

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Well, in my opinion, certain musicals can be classified as plays with music. I know I am definitely in the minority. But I find GREY GARDENS to be a great example, maybe not so much SPRING AWAKENING.

Take it up with MLW.

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This thread was just created because I PMd Tap the interview I was referring to, and he took it upon himself to create a thread to just try to prove me wrong.

But my opinion, and the opinion of MLW (one of the show's stars), are not changing.

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I think when the heart of a show is it's storyline and book

Every show's book should be the heart, the book is the strength of storyline and the music is the mode of telling that story.

By this logic, there would be no standards for "musicals" to have strong books to support the action.

It's a musical.

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I am not saying it isn't a musical.

IMHO, a show can be a musical and a play with music.

Again, take it up with MLW. It's just my opinion.

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Correction: I believe that she said that, as did others. We just think she is wrong, it is a musical. People onstage with a score and bursting out into well over a dozen songs with dialogue interspersed? If it isn't a musical then what the hell would it be?

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Updated On: 7/31/07 at 12:33 AM

Okay. I'll just try to explain myself once and for all. (I've never had a thread completely pinned against me!) I know pretty much all of you will disagree, but here goes!

Well, for me, the term "musical" entails certain glitzy aspects that have become sterotypes (lots of dancing, random singing, showy costumes, etc.) These stereotypes have become part of many Americans opinions, although I do understand that not all musicals are like that. In fact, I would first call GREY GARDENS a musical, but then, comment that it can be seen as a play with music. Some musicals are far from that flashy stereotype that the world entails, and GREY GARDENS is definitely one of them. It's a dramatic musical that is certainly helped with a great score, but grounded by its book. It certainly isn't showy in that "Broadway musical" way. It's a genuine piece of theatre that could stand alone without music and still be equally as moving. However, I wouldn't say the same for most musicals. I mentioned SPRING AWAKENING because it is based on such a wonderful piece of theatre that happens to be a straight play. I have read SPRING'S AWAKENING and find it to be remarkably moving. I have watched and read about the Bouvier's and know that GREY GARDENS could work seamlessly without any book songs. However, most musicals would suffer without songs. THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA would seem bare. SPAMALOT would seem like a copy-cat. THE SOUND OF MUSIC would be missing its heart. CURTAINS would be missing its fun. WICKED would be missing its liveliness. HAIRSPRAY would be fun, but nowhere near as joyous. Those are just a few examples. However, GREY GARDENS would still be moving and touching. SPRING AWAKENING would still be racy and exciting, as displayed by it's straight play counterpart.

My definition of a play with music is most definitely different from the "correct" term that is used by most people. But, for me, some musicals emerge as plays with music or musicals that could stand alone as straight plays and really lose very little.

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But regardless, if you were to take away the score of GREY GARDENS, you would lose several songs that propel the plot forward. And the show would suffer because of it.

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