Most Overrated Musical (and Actors) of All Time- Page 3

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:25am

Holy crap Eponine. You rule. I've got tears of laughter running down my face and I'm only halfway through. I'm going to finish reading it, print your synopsis and then read it again before I see the show. You'd better post Act 2 here too! (At the very least, to bump this thread!)

A round of applause for Eponine, folks. You were gone for a loooong time and you're only halfway through!

PS. Gimme some dirt of Adam's treatment to his fans. I adore La Pascal, but I haven't heard any specific examples on his a$sholeness.

Updated On: 8/25/04 at 01:25 AM

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:29am

He doesn't make stage door appearances. It's just rude. He skips out on the people who wait around to see him, some who have been his fan for ages. He expects his fans to support him as a rockstar, when he won't fulfill them as fans of Broadway. One of my friends actually tried to flag him down after he snuck out a different way after a show and he flipped her off and ran.

But-- To his credit (which I try to give where it's due) I appreciate that he's gone back to AIDA during its final days and is finally making stage door appearances again.

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:37am

Mamma Mia- I just don't understand.

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:45am

Mamma Mia: When you think about it, it's not much more than an ABBA cover band with an anemic story woven through the songs.
POTO: It's okay, I have nothing against it, I'm just kind of "meh" about it.
Grease: I think I'm th eonly person on earth who thought it worked better as a movie. I didn't care for the stage version at all.
The Lion King: I'm sorry, but I just don't see why this is such a big freakin' hit. I saw it and was not impressed (except by the costumes). Although, I was never a big fan of the movie, so maybe that explains it...

[bwaybaby2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:53am

thanks you - sweeny is one of the most amazing shows ever written - um:
CATS, JCS, MAMMA MIA. actors: mimi from rent - daphnne ruba-vegga or whatever her name is - she amazing as mimi, and nothing else

[Juliette Capulet]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 2:16am

Les Miserables
Avenue Q

Tendres Baisers,
Juliette Capulet

[meagan9848]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 5:18am

In reverse order...

5) Wicked...yep, I said it. That must mean I'm not a true fan of the show.

4) Avenue Q...Sorry, I'm still kinda bitter about the Tony's. I like the show, not the hype.

3) The Producers...I'm sorry, 12 Tonys? NO!

2) The Lion King...Disney's taking over the rest of the World, they should back off of Broadway! The only reason people fock to it is because of the Disney name!

1) Phantom of the Opera...I wanted to hang myself.


Most underated show ever...
THE LAST 5 YEARS!!!

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:19am

About Adam- so what? Actors aren't required to meet people after shows. I personally don't care, I go to see actors perform, not so they can scribble on my playbill. And he's very kind and gracious when he does come out or if you catch him before the show.

About Matt Caplan- He's not as overrated among the Rentheads as you may think. I know plenty of people who'd like to throw things at him. He's been Mark for years; he's bored and it shows.

[ChiChi]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:33am

1. Phantom of the Opera

2. Wicked (Worst actresses would include the two mice who starred in the original cast.

3. Mamma Mia

4. Hairspray

Just wasn't dazzled by any of these.

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 9:04am

Ok, I dont worship Idina Menzel, but I have to defend her in this. 4 years guys...that's a long time to be doing what she's doing. None of us can really judge her (or the rest of the Broadway actors for that matter). Most of us have never been on Broadway/Tour/Tryouts, and I know none of us has ever been the lead in one of those. She has to sing 3 verrrry difficult songs every night in that show (so far about...320 times). I did my High School show for 3 nights and was already getting tired of it. She has to act and give a full out performance every night with the same material. It must be so boring for her and yet you'd never know it. The same goes with Tonya Pinkins. She hasnt been performing the role as long but still, its A LOT of singing in that show. Anyway yeah, it's not as easy as it looks guys. The same with Stephen Shwartz and Winnie Holzman. Its not easy writting a full, original score to an adapted musical lol, or adapting it from a huge novel. Until we can do that...I dont worship them but they def. deserve to be recognized as 2 of the best. Thats all folks lol

[lildogs]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:21am

well, derek, of course being in a show is difficult, writing a show is even harder--but that's the career that these people have chosen, so if they can't do it, they shouldn't do it.

that being said....to me an overrated show is either a hit or a critical hit despite the fact it blows, so i'd have to say to me those shows are "South Pacific" (yes, i know it won the pulitzer) and "The Sound of Music"....if i never saw them again i would be fine.

as for performers, i really don't get the barbra thing either, especially after i saw her on the actor's studio....yech...great voice, but the acting is so forced and hackneyed

i cannot believe someone thinks rosalind russell (that's how you spell it btw) is overrated! everybody's got the right....

[HotTicket]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:22am

The Producers
Avenue Q
CATS
The Vagina Monologues

[lyfeisacabaret]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:33am

Show: Les Miz
The way that thing was advertized... you'd think you could reach spiritual enlightenment during it. Not a huge fan... not at all.

Actor: Sarah Brightman... ::gags::

[Ustadance]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:38am

R. E. N. T.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:49am

Oh my...I hope people don't hate me for this, but I have to go with "The Producers." I truly felt like I was the only one in the theatre who was NOT amused, NOT laughing, NOT hailing Nate and Matt as the new Messiahs, NOT leaving humming the tunes, NOT seeing it winning 12 Tonys and actually feeling pretty offended as I left. Perhaps my feelings wouldn't be as strong if it weren't for the fact that one of my favorite musicals, "The Full Monty", which the critics had drooled over earlier in the season hadn't been completely shut out of the Tony, Drama Desk and OCC Awards. I'm sorry, but "Big A** Rock is just as clever and catchy as anything in "The Producers", "You Walk With Me", is absoluely gorgeous, and poor Kathleen Freeman! I'll admit, Cady was the best thing about "The Producers," but she was no match for Kathleen in "Monty."
Whew...I'm done venting now....

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:51am

Type_A_Tiff, I hope it convinced you to go see the show *winks* ActII will be up shortly

[NBRISBY]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:09am

OK...here are my top (or bottom) five most overrated shows and performers. Let's start with performers:

5- Michael Ball
4- Ethel Merman
3- Marin Mazzie
2- Adam Pascal
1- Barbara Streisand

Now, for the top five overrated shows:

5- Cats
4- My Fair Lady
3- Hair
2- Follies
1- Oklahoma

There ya go. Thems the worst of the best. The cream of the crap. The bottom of the top.

[HJAJtheFirst]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:14am

WICKED with a capital "W" for WORST!

[ForTheLoveOfLea]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:31am

I second Grease. I saw it on stage (and on ice) and I thought it was horrible. You aren't the only one who thought it works better as a movie, Rose. I also don't understand the Wicked fixation. I mean, I like the music and all but it is way overrated. Same with it's stars. I like Kristen and Idina, but I don't think they are quite worsip worthy yet.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 12:03pm

for Type_A_Tiff
INTERMISSION: (in which Ulla paints the set blue…)

Okay. He we go, get comfy, but I’ll bet your butt still might go numb. Act II begins with the scrim down and this cool lighting effect and the chorus marching in the background as they were at the end of act 1. Makes you think they were marching there during whole of intermission (kinda…). Enjorlas (the girly barricade leader, in case you forgot) is leading the revolution, and everyone’s getting piped up about it. (YAY! Lets go die for a hopeless cause!). Enjorlas asked for someone to spy on the enemy (whoever that may be, they never really tell us). And Javert in disguise raises his hand and says he will and he knows all about the enemy because he served his time ith them. (This is a load of bull as Javert never did but just wants to find Valjean, even though Valjean himself doesn’t know he’ll be fighting at the barricades too. Ooooh Javert can see into the future!) Eponine shows up dressed as a boy with her signature trench coat and newsboy hat, and Marius being a self centered jerk and oblivious to Eponine’s feeling says here you can take this letter I wrote and take it to my TRUE love. Eponine does, she climbs over the iron gate again which she is pulled down from by Valjean. (In funny accent) “Get offfa ma LAND!” Valjean brings out a shotgun and promptly tries to….never mind. Eponine explains the letter is for Cosette and it’s from a boy at the Barricades. Valjean thanks her and then reads the letter, because it’s for Cosette and he thinks he might have pot connections. (And he is a concerned parent, oh and he wants some too..). He reads the note and realizes that his little girl is growing up, awww, and that theres this guy at the barricades whose going to die soon and he loves his daughter. So Valjean heads off to the barricades to protect him. Eponine btw, is majorly upset and walks through the streets and sings “On My Own” the song dreaded by casting directors everywhere. (Damn all you teenage girls who ruined MY song!). She decides to join Marius at the barricades.
Back at the barricades the students sing and drink and be merry and presently Javert returns and says oooh they won’t fight until tomorrow you can all get drunk tonight. Gavroche (who btw, watched Javert sing “Stars” [I forgot to say this before]) says that Javert is a liar and thief and he stole my precious… He is an Inspector and the students freak out (We trusted you!) and they tie him to a chair (this could get dirty).
Next scene, a student spots a “boy” climbing the barricade and it turns out it’s Eponine, who ran right through the enemy lines to get back to Marius. Marius immediately questions her about Cosette then thinks “wait a minute, Eponine, why did you spill ketchup on yourself?” Eponine lays in Marius’s arms and they sing “A Little Fall of Rain” and she dies. (but before she finally admits to loving Marius, and he feels like a total dick). Everyone is shocked because (OMG we’re fighting a war and someone DIED! This wasn’t supposed to happen. Just like Bush and Iraq and……). Anyway they all are depressed and tired and so they get drunk again, but first they sing “Drink With Me.” Soon Valjean arrives and offers his service they let him fight and the First Battle starts, they love what Valjean can do with a gun so they thank him, but Valjean asks if he can have Javert. (ooooh. I want to keep him and comb his sideburns and pet him and says he’s mine..). They give him Javert who tells Valjean to kill him, Valjean lets him go. Javert still vows to follow Valjean. Valjean fakes Javert’s death so everyone thinks that he’s dead. Somewhere in here (can’t remember exactly where,) there is another battle. And they are short on ammunition, which isn’t right because the heros never run out! Marius offers to go collect bullets from the other side of the barricade, which would mean certain death. Then Valjean offers cause he says he’s old and useless and before anyone can do anything Gavroche hops over the barricade and get the bullets and chucks them back to the barricade but he is shot and killed (this is truly heartbreaking). Then they all fall asleep and Valjean lovingly looks down at Marius (Mmmm, hot gay actor) and sings “Bring Him Home” about letting Marius live in the battle. Anyway there is another battle and everyone starts to kick ass and chew bubble gum, but they all die except for Valjean who was knocked out and Marius who was wounded but unconscious. How handy huh). This is where we have the lovely oboe solo (which is so beautiful) and the stage turns around to show Enjorlas (with his shirt wide open and fake blood on his mouth) symbolically on top of the Red revolutionary flag. Gavroche is also there who died earlier. Valjean picks up Marius (or tries to) and heaves him off to the sewer, which is also very dirty (not to mention smelly). Javert returns to the barricade in search of Valjean and somehow thinks (hmmm maybe he’s in the sewer) which he goes to as well.
Next scene is in the sewer (the stage with a lot of smoke) and Thenardier shows up with a “dead” chorus member whom he pulls a tooth out of. (hey! This isn’t Sweeney Todd) and he sings about how he cheats the good people and how their lives are a living hell “Dog Eat Dog.” Valjean collapses with exhaustion just next to Thenardier without realizing it. And Thenardier searches Marius and finds a ring (insert Gollum noises here). He then spots Valjean, freaks and leaves, taking the “dead” chorus member with him because he’s dead and can’t walk off stage himself. Valjean drags Marius across the stage in different positions and then stops right in front of Javert who has been waiting (Bwahahahaha!) Javert and Valjean go at it and sing tying to convince the other of their means. Valjean wins (yay..I think) and Javert finally lets Valjean go and save Marius (but says he’ll be back). Javert is now very confused and rethinks about his life and how all he’s been doing is running after Valjean (like a very obsessed fan girl). He sings “Javert’s Suicide” in the same tune as “What Have I Done.” And as the title indicates javet jumps off a bridge. Or rather a bridge flys above his head and Javert stays put, cause jumping into the stage would hurt. And there are cool lighting effects and Javert rolls around on stage. And drowns (aka: rolls offstage).
Next scene the women of Paris gather and mope about how all the students are dead and life sucks. (“Tuning”). A wounded Marius then laments about his dead friends in “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” one of the best songs if done right. And all the dead barricade people line up behind him while he’s singing, it’s very cool. Then the girl in the doily dress (aka: Cosette) shows up and says aww its okay we’re together it’s all good. They are getting married, but before Valjean shows up and tells Marius the truth about his past and how he must run away because he is caught then it will ruin Cosette’s life. Marius promises not to tell her.
Next scene is the wedding. Who knows where all the rich people came from? Anyway the Thenardier’s show up (all rich and decked out in ugly clothes) and they harass Marius about the ring that was stolen and say that Valjean saved his life. He beats the living pulp out of Thenardier and runs to find Valjean with Cosette before he leaves. The Thenardier’s meanwhile are helping themselves to the silver.
Valjean is sitting at home, but he isn’t leaving because he is old and about to bite the dust. He writes a letter explaining everything to Cosette, and Fantine appears. The angel of Fantine I should say, and they sing because Valjean is about to die. Marius and Cosette show up and thank Valjean for saving Marius’s life and Cosette cries because she doesn’t want Valjean to die. He gives her the letter and dies. Eponine appears and she and Fantine and the ghost of Valjean sing and reach towards Marius and Cosette. Then you hear the chorus singing in the background and the entire ensemble join in a reprise of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” And that’s the end.

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:47pm

the lion king! may have great sets, BUT WHO THE HELL WANTS TO GO TO THE THEATRE TO HEAR HAKUNA MATATA!

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:55pm

lildogs...I dont want to start an argument lol or anything (I find arguments over musicals very...weird and a waste of time :)) but I think this is the show where they all proved they CAN do it. I mean Stephen is def. a great songwriter. Look at Pippin. I dont know. Im sure many would agree and many wouldnt so...I also 2nd whoever said The Sound Of Music...R&H were great, but I actually thought that was their weakest show. I thought South Pacific on the other hand was their strongest though

[lildogs]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 1:59pm

you misunderstood me derek, you seemed to be defending Idina and Schwartz saying that performing and writing is difficult and we should cut them a little slack because of the work involved. my point was that the "wicked" folks or anyone in this business must be well aware of the hours and work that goes into producing a show, and if they feel that they can't sing full out 8 shows a week or finish that score, they should probably find another career, that's all.....cause there's alot of people who would gladly replace them, i'm sure

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 2:00pm

OOO gotcha! :)

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 2:06pm

Wicked (definitely just unimpressed)
Rent (sorry they sold that show out way too early)
J.C.S. (I'm hoping it was the production I saw a few years ago but wow that show was aweful)