Matilda is OBVIOUSLY winning best musical....- Page 3

[mikey2573]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 4:10pm

I think KB is now the show to beat for Best Musical. I can't imagine how MATILDA will get anything close to the mostly raves and positives that KB received last night. It is simply not a very good show.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 4:32pm

You'll see from my posts that I'm not a huge Matilda fan, but I still found its script, score and production considerably more sophisticated, challenging and worthy as theater art than Kinky Boots. I do expect the Matilda reviews next week to best the KB reviews by a wide margin.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 4/5/13 at 4:45pm

I think “Matilda” reviews will easily best the “Kinky Boots” reviews. KB got many positive reviews, but also got a few not-so-great ones. I think “Matilda” reviews may be more consistently positive. Also, even in the positive reviews of “Kinky Boots,” many of the show’s flaws were still pointed out (but, critics seemed to take an “I don’t care!” attitude toward its flaws - hence making the reviews quite positive, yet without exactly singing the praises of the show’s artistic merit).

When “Motown” first opened I kept reading reviews on here of how awful it was and many didn’t think it would get a Best Musical nod (despite audience mid-show reaction). Now, I feel like I am seeing more and more people adding it to their lists of possible nominees. What’s changed?

[goldenboy]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 12:30am

I can't believe Douglas Hodge won for that awful La Cage Revival. I cannot believe Contact, Once and Titanic won best musicals.And Titanic won over the Life and the Life was far superior!

For probably this reason Matilda will win. They just do this to piss me off. I know.... totally egocentric right? But I'm telling you they just sit in a room and figure hot how to piss Goldenboy off. Douglas Hodge.. Indeed!

I found Matilda annoying, overated with a horrible cloying score.

And its not that I'm anti British as someone pointed out. I am a huge fan of Oliver, Billy Elliot, the scores to Stop the World I want to get off and the Roar of the Greasepaint.. and even Blood Brothers. Lettice and Lovage makes me happy. Don't get me started on the Killing of Sister George which I love.
I just think Matilda is over hyped and over rated.

[roadmixer]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 12:56am

I would like to see KINKY BOOTS win just to shut down all of the moronic 'chat' about how great MATILDA is...

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 7:40am

Well, everyone remember: Matilda is opening next week, so it'll have reviews. And I'm guessing that it will be mostly positive.

[mikey2573]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 8:01am

"I would like to see KINKY BOOTS win just to shut down all of the moronic 'chat' about how great MATILDA is..."

Something tells me that will happen next week, when the MATILDA reviews come out. I will be STUNNED if that show gets the positive reviews that so many are predicting. It is a MORONICALLY STUPID show wrapped up in a very pretty, professional package.

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 10:42am

>> It is a MORONICALLY STUPID show wrapped up in a very pretty, professional package.

I agree with you that Matilda is "wrapped up in a very pretty, professional package", but I don't find it moronic or stupid. IMO, everything about Matilda is overly exaggerated, just as it might be from the perspective of a girl Matilda's age and character. IMO, that's why the books have been so popular.

The spoiled children in "Miracle" are exceptionally spoiled and self-centered. Likewise, Matilda's parents aren't just stupid - they're stoopid (with TWO 'o's...) and SOOOO dumb that they can't distinguish between male/female genitalia, or even have the ability to recognize being pregnant.

Personal taste (I know), but I found the humor in those representations.

The characterizations of Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull, and even the set pieces are also overly exaggerated. But I can relate to all the hyper extensions of reality when I put it in the perspective and imagination of a girl Matilda's age.

Personally, I LOVE it! I'm also a fan of how dark the humor is. (I like Tim Burton movies, too.)

All of the "life lessons" and points of view expressed in Matilda's score also reflect that over-exaggerated perspective of a child. The "goodiess" are really good and the "badiess" are really bad. Regarding the score, I think those expressions and perspectives are elements that Minchin has really been spot on in capturing and characterizing.

You can probably tell that I REALLY love the score. I have so many favorite numbers, I wouldn't know how to pick just one, but songs like "Telly", "A Little Bit Naughty" and "Revolting Children" are so catchy and cleverly written (for my tastes!). I also happen to "get" and appreciate their dark humor and childish perspectives.

Another number I really like is "When I Grow Up". Besides the clever lyrics, I am tickled by the over-extended musical phrases that go on just a shade longer than they should - very similar to child speak. I also love how the adult (Miss Honey) admits that even she is still not "grown up" yet.

"I'm Here" is a very sweet and touching number. "Quiet" is (IMO) a perfect capsule of Matilda's feelings and (at least on the OC CD) is sung to perfection. I hope the American Matildas can sing it with as much emotion.

I could go on and on (but probably shouldn't)... My point is "chacun a son gout". I can see how you might find the show "moronic" or "stupid", but in its defense, I appreciate the childish perspective and even (in fact) think it's one of the show's many strengths and why it deserves to be considered for "Best Musical".

________________

EDIT:
I'm listening to the Matilda CD again, this afternoon and finding even more stuff I like in the score - in particular, the song, "Loud".

How can anyone NOT like that number? Musically, it's so much FUN! In terms of how it moves the story along: I think it shows exactly where Matilda gets her best attributes from (genetically).

Even though Mrs. Wormwood is stoopid (...two 'o's), this is the number where she actually gives her daughter some good advice as a mother (in her own stoopid and self-centered fashion). And it's advice that Matilda actually follows (in her more mature, even-as-a-child fashion).

...And how could anyone miss the sarcasm/social criticism in the writing of "Telly"?

Holy cow, I LOVE this show! :^D
Updated On: 4/6/13 at 10:42 AM

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:01pm

Won't be the least bit surprised if Kinky Boots wins Best Score, but Best Musical? I very much doubt it.

[Nickhutson]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 1:19pm

Re - what John says...LOUD is sung to Miss Honey, not Matilda. I know some creatives think it's the weakest song of the lot and it has been tinkered with so much.

[mikey2573]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 4:03pm

Well, John, I am glad you enjoyed it. But I was not looking at it as seeing things through Matilda's perspective. She is not a strong enough character to warrant that. All the characters are stoopid (to use your spelling) and/or weak. Miss Honey basically spends the show witnessing children being abused and does nothing about it. None of the characters changed from beginning to end, not ONE. When you go to see any play or musical (or movie or read a book) you want to see how the characters change and learn on their journey through the plot. No one in this play changed. Matilda's parents were the same horrible people as was Trunchbull as was Miss Honey as was matilda (unless you can call the ability to knock over a cup and move a piece of chalk with your mind "changing"). That is why I wrote that the characters are stoopid; not just because they are ingnorant and/or evil people, but because they are WRITTEN stoopid, meaning they don't learn or change at all through the course of the play. But I am glad you liked it. I also disagree about it winning Best Musical. I haven't seen KB but based on the mostly positive reviews I think it has a very good shot. Personally, my favorite show so far this year was A CHRISTMAS STORY. THAT was a HUGE surprise to me. I did not think I would like it and I NEVER thought the a production based on that movie could move me. Like I said, that show really surprised me in a good way and I hope the Tony folks remember it.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 4:32pm

Why exactly will anyone be stunned if Matilda gets raves here? Look, it's fine if you didn't like it, but the show got raves at Stratford and in London, and won a great deal of critical awards. I'm not saying the reaction her will be identical, mind you, but it's not like it's a universally reviled show. I will be much more surprised if it gets poor reviews. Personally, I'd also be pretty disappointed, since I think it's a really terrific and touching show.

[mikey2573]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 6:17pm

I think MATILDA has a very "British" mentality going for it over in the West End. This is why it got such raves in London and won so many awards. I don't think American audiences quite like the kind of show that MATILDA is and I think the reviews will reflect that.

[Nickhutson]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 7:08pm

Let's not forget that thy evil lord Ben Brantley has already given it a rave review: http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/02/01/theater/reviews/matilda-by-the-royal-shakespeare-company-in-london.html?_r=0

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 7:15pm

The title of this thread reminds me of that viral video, "Well OBVIOUSLY there is rapist in Lincoln Parks. He climbing in yo windows…".

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 7:24pm

American audiences love the works of Roald Dahl, hence why a number of them have been adapted into movies with Americanised settings.

'Matilda' succeeds not because of a British mentality, but because it captures the essence of Dahl's characters and themes so perfectly.

His imagination existed through a child's eyes, hence why you are seeing this world through Matilda's perspective. That's why you need a strong enough actress to carry the show, as it is her story that is being told. Not seen any of the Broadway girls, but each London one I saw did a fantastic job on what what is a very taxing and wordy role.

I don't think NYC critics will slate this show just because of cultural differences or whatever. They will praise it as it is a funny, touching and clever new adaptation of a well-loved story.

[YouAndMePal]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 8:10pm

I don't why everyone is pooping on this show. Most lyrically ambitious show in years. Inventively staged. I thinks it's absurd to compare it to Light in the Piazza. Why is that relevant at all? I appreciate that I have to chase Tim Minchen's thoughts. Minchin has a Sondhemian sensibility, he's lyric first. I appreciate that. I love Piazza, it's more musically ambitious, but such a different kind of show. I like Minchen's music too. He utilizes dissonance. He has a minimalist style, but it services the lyric in a profound way.

[once a month]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 8:16pm

I found it to be torture...I was bored and completely underwhelmed throughout. Perhaps I'm getting tired of the scene, but paying 150 I want more than a great seat...I'd really like to be entertained. So disappointed, but I really hated it and found it to be bereft of laughs.

Wonderful show for all the mommies and their little girls. Made me wish I was sitting through The Prime of Miss Jane Brody, or even The Utter Glory of Morrisey Hall.

Updated On: 4/6/13 at 08:16 PM

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 8:41pm

I assume Brantley will be the reviewer. As he already raved about it when on assignment in London last year, he probably will do the same here. I can recall only two times when he recanted on his original opinion: Democracy, which he blamed on the inferior American transfer; and LuPone in Gypsy, probably because even he even he had the common sense to know when he saw the genius before him. I saw Gypsy with LuPone when it played City Center Encores! and when it transferred to Broadway. Magnificent though she was (best since Merman as far as I'm concerned), her performance didn't change that radically.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 8:46pm

Thinking that the show was impossibly mediocre, I still think it'll get raves and it'll run. It's just yet another example of hype gone wild. It was a nice show, I enjoyed it, but it's in no way anything beyond a fun, nicely written kids show. But because of the hype and the ticket price, people need to justify paying what they pay by exaggerating the merits of everything they say. Matilda's hardly the only show this happens with.

Not saying it isn't possible to love this show on its merits, but every couple seasons there's a show that rides on a wave of hype that's impossible to live up to. Spring Awakening and Book of Mormon come to mind.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 9:04pm

I have posted a few times that there is something about Matilda that just didn't make me LOVE it. The heart of the show was mentioned above and I think that is part of it. The show does have a heart but I agree that it just seems to be too slickly packaged. The opening to act 2, When I Grow Up, is the only time the show really stirred any emotion in me. My heart just melted. Then the slick packaging slipped back in. I did like the show though.

I have seen Kinky...and Kinky Boots! (A little humor there)...I found it to be a fun evening at the thatre. Not the greatest. The difference between the two is that I felt a bit more for the characters in Kinky. I felt a bit more pulled in. I see Motown next week and have been hard body. I won't decide which I think should win until after I see Motown. Just my thoughts.

Updated On: 4/6/13 at 09:04 PM

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 9:07pm

>>Re - what John says...LOUD is sung to Miss Honey, not Matilda.
DOH!! My bad! Yes, you're correct. ;^)

>>I thinks it's absurd to compare it to Light in the Piazza. Why is that relevant at all?
It's not. My original comment was in agreement with broadway guy that there isn't much competition this year. I expressed my opinion that I like Matilda a lot and continued, "But if, say, The Light in the Piazza were brand new on Broadway this year, Matilda would be my runner up for Best Musical."

[jnb9872]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 9:15pm

Not to kick a hornet's nest, but Brantley also notably recanted his Once opinion from off-Broadway to Broadway, after admitting to having viewed the film shortly before his original review and having had his opinion affected by that mistake.

As for Matilda, it will most likely receive good reviews because it is good (in this theatregoer's opinion.) I personally respect the ambition that's plainly on the face of Matilda... it is a family show, yes, but (like Dahl before it) respects that kids are perfectly capable of being represented as complexly as adults and accepting the mantle of the responsibility of leading roles in fiction without being condescended to. Matilda is a wonderful character (Minchin's lyrics in her solos are so delightfully dextrous and intellectually nimble) and the story, the score, and the production around her is so uniquely suited to her, I enjoyed the craft of it very much.

I have yet to see Kinky Boots, but it doesn't interest me on a level much more than it looking slight yet fun. If anything, the clips I've seen and reviews read reinforce, to me, that it appears to be energetic, flashy and skin-deep fun. Until I see it, I reserve the right to change my judgment, but from the imbalanced point of having seen one and not the other, I can only speak towards Matilda's quality, which I have done. I just don't perceive the same level of ambition and wonder in KB as in Matilda, though to be fair I also don't believe that it is at all what KB is after. It's different strokes, of course. And if it comes down to it, just like Once vs. Newsies last year, I will always cast my ballot for the ambition and originality over exuberant but well-tread fun.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 9:24pm

"I will always cast my ballot for the ambition and originality over exuberant but well-tread fun."

I'd like to live in a world where it's not one or the other.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/6/13 at 9:34pm

Ambitious and original is not always better, as we have seen in the past. But that is just my opinion.