Is Kinky's Score Really Better Than Matilda's?- Page 3

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 6:15am

What is "better"?

[newintown]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 11:29am

I love when someone proudly calls anything remotely intelligent "overly clever," "showing off," or "elitist," as though they feel their values reflect "the common man" rather than those nose in the air intellectuals.

It's become strangely popular, this loudly vocal condemnation of intelligence.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 11:39am

"I love when someone proudly calls anything remotely intelligent "overly clever," "showing off," or "elitist," as though they feel their values reflect "the common man" rather than those nose in the air intellectuals.

It's become strangely popular, this loudly vocal condemnation of intelligence."

I don't condemn intelligence, if you're referring to me. Logic and intelligence and cleverness are things I prize about most things. I'm sure a lot of people would call me an elitist. But the most clever and intelligent work to me is work that doesn't feel like it's trying to say LOOK AT ME, LOOK HOW CLEVER I CAN BE! There's a difference between being smart and being a show-off. To me, Matilda is more about proving how intelligent it is and about cramming every possible little trick into every single moment and I think in trying to put in so much, you lose focus on the truly smart and heartfelt moments in the show and the score. There is a such thing as a quiet intelligence that does not put neon lights above itself.

And I don't think any of my praise of Kinky Boots was because it was unintelligent, since when does writing a catchy pop hook not require smarts and talent? If it didn't require something most people don't have, everyone would be able to live off royalties from a one hit wonder forever.

[tazber]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 11:48am

Both are great scores that fit their respective shows perfectly.

I enjoy them both immensely. Why must I choose?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 11:51am

Because the thread title demands it.

[tazber]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 11:58am

I won't do it.

I am a huge Tim Minchin fan. I am also a huge Cyndi Lauper fan.

I am rebelling against the system! I stand for equality!

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 7/13/13 at 2:47pm

Gee, it's kind of comforting to see the slant on this one thread is decidedly more pro-Matilda than pro-KB. Back in April/ May I felt like we Matilda-boosters were in the minority on the boards.

(And, look I'm no maniacal fan of Matilda-- its CD was far more enjoyable than actually sitting in the Shubert enduring the show itself. But for me, seeing Kinky Boots in the theater was such a tough slog that I never could bring myself to buy the CD. Hearing snatches of the KB songs on Serius xm reminds me I need never hear those songs ever again.)

In short I agree with all the pro-Matilda-ites above, and respectfully disagree with the pro-KB-ers.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/14/13 at 7:14pm

While we're talking about Matilda's lyrics, there's one that doesn't quite work for me. In Revolting Children - "She can take her hammer and S.H.U!" I understand that he means take her hammer and shove it, but is there something I'm missing that makes it make sense?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/14/13 at 8:25pm

In performance, the actor playing Bruce always covers his mouth before he finishes the word, so I assume the idea is that Bruce stops himself before he says a bad word. I do agree that it's a clunker in a score of pretty great lyrics.