Munk's TARZAN review- Page 4

[liotte]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 12:53pm

"would have" meaning that I wasn't offended, but if I had been, it would have been about the religious reference (which may be offensive to those people who believe in Christ and find his second coming to be of utmost importance). But whatever, that's not even worth arguing about.

I have an idea of the average CHILD's like and dislike of theater, as I usually have a kid with me when I go, between the ages of 8 and 14, and I work with kids full time. And I can tell you that more kids will like Tarzan than Sweeney Todd. In regards to Sweeney Todd, with the exception of the people on this board who are more theater saavy than the average American, most of the people I have spoken with did not like it, and a few left at intermission. I cannot judge on Tarzan yet since most people haven't seen it yet.
Updated On: 4/7/06 at 12:53 PM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 12:53pm

Dont cross GG!!!

She'll cut ya!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 12:53pm

oooooooooooo, burn, munk!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 12:54pm

I may have been a wierd child, but I definitely would have preferred SWEENEY at age ten to TARZAN.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 12:56pm

Hahaha. This is turning into my favorite thread ever.

Thanks, Garland.

Liotte: Understood. But in your initial post, you didn't say "kids," you spoke of the general audience. Well, for every child at TARZAN there is an adult. Who's to say those adults (and even those kids) wouldn't like SWEENEY TODD? When I was 10 I used to watch SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE on VHS over and over for hours, for years. It all depends on the person.

I am a truly bad person.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 12:59pm

The Kid in front of me at Sweeney the last time LOVED it.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:00pm

i am a truly bad person.

a ha! so you admit your the inherent evility of your nature! i think that we can now casually dismiss everything you've written in this htread as the product of an evil-doer bent on destroying all that is good about men in loin cloths!

[liotte]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:00pm

Fair enough- Being that I am always surrounded by kids and don't like to be condescending towards them, I just refer to them as people. And in referring to Tarzan, since it is Disney, the average audience is more children than the more adult shows. Their parents may very much enjoy ST, but would definitely leave the kids at home.

And I said "with the exception of the people on this board" for a reason- most people posting here are more theater saavy, grew up with it, and yes, they would have enjoyed Sweeney Todd more than Tarzan as a child. Most people, in general, are not all theater crazy like the rest of us.

Edit to add: And the kids who will grow up to post on this board and work in theater.
Updated On: 4/7/06 at 01:00 PM

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:04pm

Oh, I'm late to the party. I'll read through the rest of the thread in a sec but I couldn't contain myself.

First off, to whoever criticized Munk for telling people what to think on page one, do you not have the ability to think and make decisions for yourself?

Secondly, hold on. CurtainDownPuller.
The person
Who Talks like This
Andrarely Makes any Sense

Is criticizing somebody else's coherent review?

How strange.

Munk, you've actually made me more curious to see this. I'm not so curious I want to go stand in what is probably an interminable student rush line, but I'm still curious... but all the same, and I'm not joking, Lestat is worse. It has to be. There couldn't be anything worse.

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:04pm

GG, who are you? LOL

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:07pm

Children are very sophisticated these days and are just as likely to hate something as a grown-up. My nephew hated CHITTY in london, but then had the presence to lie about hating it to the choreographer(who had done a show with his mom) Unless TARZAN is dazzling and engaging, they'd rather watch the DVD or play tarzan psp games.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:09pm

She's Whitney Houston!

She'll cut ya, I say!

[broadway86]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:11pm

Interesting. I wonder how (or if) the show will improve before opening.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:12pm

Munk, I agree with your astute review, 100%. I had the exact same feelings after seeing Tarzan. I felt, in fact, that it was one of the weaker things I've seen in a long time, the weakest being In My Life, which also opened cold. I applaud your review and the defense of your opinion.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:25pm

Okay, now that I've read more of this thread...

Liotte, you are well aware that Munk's mention of Jesus was anachronistic. It would have been the same if he had used any sort of gift from above euphemism. Stop looking for reasons to be offended.

I loved Sweeney Todd when I was 10. Give kids a chance, if you think of them as people. Maybe they won't sit through Wozzeck, but children like to be challenged as adults are. You should know that.

Last, god knows, the thing that is wrong with theater audiences today is that they think Broadway is designed as an evening of entertainment you bring your children to. We should be dancing in our pants when they create a show geared towards adults rather than dumbed down to the point of banality. I may have mae that word up.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:30pm

Not to turn this into a childrens theater/adults theater thing... but you make a good point.

I started seeing Broadway shows when I was 7 years old - my first few were "Into The Woods", "Les Miserables", "Crazy for You", "Secret Garden", "Chorus Line" "Miss Saigon" - I saw all those (and numerous others) when I was 12 and under, and none of them were strictly "childrens fare". I enjoyed them all thoroughly. I don't know if it was a lack of childrens theater at the time (or more likely, the fact that my parents can't stand that stuff) - but I don't think children are given enough credit sometimes - my little brother sat through most of those too (more or less enjoying them - he wasn't game for Secret Garden but LOVED Les Mis)

Updated On: 4/7/06 at 01:30 PM

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:36pm

I haven't seen "Tarzan" yet, but look forward to it! We all have the right to post our opinions or reviews during previews, but keep in mind that a negative review now doesn't necessarily translates to a bad show once it opens.

Tarzan doesn't open for five more weeks. We don't know what kind of tweaks and changes will be made to the script, songs, set, and costumes in that time. We also have to consider that the performers will have five more weeks of rehearsals, in which time they can only improve. We're talking about some really terrific performers here--Jenn Gambatese, Chester Gregory, Shuler Hensley, Merle etc. I have no doubt they will shine by the time May 10 rolls around.

I appreciate all the reviews written here, good and bad. But there has been enough positive written here about Tarzan that I still have a good feeling about the show and can't wait to see it!

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 1:37pm

I'm STILL not game for Secret Garden. I've never liked that show much.

Yeah, I think a lot of these shows are hardly as complicated as people make them out to be. While sure, I'd be a little leery about a kid enjoying the new production of Sweeney Todd because it's so confusing, there's something to be said for the kid liking it because of its content.

[liotte]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 2:05pm

I said WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD (and future posters), because yes, I know you all loved those shows as a kid. Yes kids like to be challenged, but they also like to go to theater because it is entertaining and it's a great thing for parents to bring their kids to see. If a kid enjoys the content of a show like Sweeney Todd, great for them. They will be one of the future posters on this board.
I am not looking for a way to be offended by any means. You all are sharing your thoughts, these are mine.

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 2:09pm

Munk, I'm glad to see you've taken my advice. Best of luck with your career.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:24pm

For what it's worth, I was a kid when I saw the original national tour of SWEENEY TODD (the same cast and production in the video) and I absolutely adored it. I also loved (and completely understood) A CHORUS LINE, EVITA, BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE and other so-called "adult" shows that many here would say I shouldn't have been allowed to attend so young (my parents also took me to revivals of O'Neill, Shakespeare, Williams and Ibsen and I "got" those too).

A couple of years later (still basically a kid) I saw the OBC of CATS and DETESTED it. I was the supposed "target age" for the show and I was bored out of my mind (I've never been a fan of empty spectacle). Make of that what you will.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 3:25pm

The best way to upset people on this board is to post a scathing negative review. Statutory Rape, however, will win you new fans on this board.

I thought Munk's review was well written and thought out. Does he have a subjective view point? Yes, everybody DOES. You will always find people who hate a show and people who love a show. Light in the Piazza is one of my favorite shows but I wouldn't attack Liotte because she hated it. I don't know why many people on this board insist on vilifying others who do not share their opinions about shows.

[Nothatsmrt]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:15pm

Munk, I enjoyed your review as well. Thanks for your insight. Since I'm saving my pennies for The Drowsy Chaperone tickets, I probably won't spend the money to see Tarzan, but look forward to everyone's reviews on it, before and after opening night.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 5:00pm

There are folks in the BBB office who are on ATC and all over any TARZAN criticism and bashing other shows as well. Just keep tellin' it like it is no matter what.
(I have not seen this show, I am just standing up for the right to give an opinion.)

and btw, i do not talk about shows i am connected with or if i do, i make that a qualifier in the intro. it's only fair.

[lesmisforever]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 5:20pm

That's a shame