Musical Comedy as an Artform

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/9/09 at 8:44pm

I've been eagerly reading everyone's thoughts on 9 to 5: The Musical and one thing has concerned me. Many reviews preface the rave with "It may not be art but...". Is fine musical comedy so rare these days that it is no longer considered a valid arform. Does injected laughter into your subject prevent it from being art? I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts. There are plenty golden age musical comedies that I consider artistic achievments. Does a work have to be dark and dramatic to be considered art?

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 4/9/09 at 8:50pm

I think there are 'brilliant' musical comedies, such as "Hairspray". I also feel that this goes back to the idea people have that a musical has to be 'Brilliant' to be good. I saw Movin' Out. The 'story' was not strong, there was no 'high quality' in there; but you know what... I liked it. I had fun, the music was wonderful, there was energy... it was just a fun night of theatre. Yes, musical comedies can be 'Artistic', we've seen some lately: Dirty Rotten Scounderals, Hairspray. But they don't HAVE to be artsy to be good.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/9/09 at 9:03pm

No, it has to be good.

[rufussars]

Posted: 4/10/09 at 12:50am

Quite honestly, many people don't consider musical comedy to be worthy of edification. The general notion seems to be that because one is laughing, there's very little artistic merit. For some reason, the perception is that serious dramas are more "sophisticated" and "classier", and, therefore, true art. That is to say that a show achieves brilliance if it deals with the angst of losing a best friend and coping with the loss, where as you merely "have fun" at shows that are 55% gags about Jews, tits, Lloyd Webber ballads, or Hitler. Needless to say, I disagree heartily with those who scoff and discredit comedy. If you're spurning it simply on the grounds that it made you laugh at vulgar low-brow jokes, then you have no business deeming what is it artful for the next person whose tastes may not align with yours. In truth, fine musical comedy is often dangerously difficult to write and perform; that is why I feel it is to be respected and celebrated in such high regards as what the majority would consider to be "real art".