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#1

Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:40pm

I got into musicals about 5 years ago after being convinced by my g/f of the time that they were a good thing to do. After some initial scepticism, and about 6 months grace period i eventually rented the Les Mis Royal Albert hall recording, and loved it. I now habitually go to the theatre and have most of the recordings that have been done. However, i find that loving musicals casts certain aspersions on my masculinity - despite being straight as a die. Has anyone else found this?

PS - Just started listening to 'Sunday in the Park with George.' It's great!!
"the cottagers at Rotherhithe knew something of his name. From Hammersmith to Putney people shuddered at his name" - Growltiger's Last Stand
#2

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:45pm

It is a stupid stereotype. Yes, many gay men enjoy musicals but I know many who do not.

Don't let it bug you. Enjoy!

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#3

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:45pm

I too fall into that small group of straight male musical theater lovers/performers. I was mercilessly teased about it in middle school and high school, but once I got to college people were much more accepting and I'm now proud of my occupation. It's a great art form, and don't let anybody keep you from enjoying it!
#4

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:49pm

There are more of us than you might think.

Akiva
#5

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:51pm

"straight as a die".........now that's one I never heard of before



truly I think it's a myth..........supposedly the vast majority of gay men are supposed to NOT like sports.........
during college football season you cannot get me away from a TV.......
It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story... AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956

Updated On: 9/5/05 at 03:51 PM

#6

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:53pm

Thank you for the reassurance. To be honest, i used to believe that stereotype, too. I was never going to give it up. To be honest it's only blokes who give me greif over it. Birds seem find the whole "Les Mis then some dinner," date pretty irresistable.
"the cottagers at Rotherhithe knew something of his name. From Hammersmith to Putney people shuddered at his name" - Growltiger's Last Stand
#8

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:58pm

Straight male who loves musicals here too. There's another thread about this exact thing (I started it) on the off-topic board also. I don't get the stereotype either. Apparently liking Falsettos makes you a gay man, like watching The Color Purple makes you a black woman or a Jet Lee movie makes you an Asian martial arts expert.
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#9

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:59pm

I always thought in theatre you were gay until proven guilty?
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#10

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:01pm

WonderBoy have I told you today how much I love you? re: Musicals and masculinity
"It's like children's theatre for 40-year old gay people!" - XANADU THE MUSICAL
#11

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:02pm

do you guys have any friends who are geezers and go to the theatre? I have no bloke friends who like musicals.
"the cottagers at Rotherhithe knew something of his name. From Hammersmith to Putney people shuddered at his name" - Growltiger's Last Stand
#12

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:05pm

Hahahaha! I love you too bare_nakedlady!
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#14

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:10pm

Our society socializes males to shut down emotions and not show any vulnerability. Acting whether it's drama or musical theater is the antithesis of that message. It is all about getting in touch with feelings. The result is that males who choose to express themselves via acting are considered girly and by extension --gay. They suffer the most in middle school and high school when anyone who doesn't conform is ostracized.
When you can just acknowledge that you love musical theater and not have to add but "I'm straight," you will have arrived at a really good place.

#15

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:10pm

I'm quite straight and I buy cast recordings by the bushel. I went to performing arts school when I was younger, so I didn't even hear of the silly "gay" stereotype 'till I was in college. Like what you like and to hell with everyone else's opinions.
Praying Decca Broadway will put "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" on CD!
#16

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:12pm

OMG gay people like Musicals?



seriously, stereotypes make me laugh. especially the gays not liking sports, like elphaba said, I can't stop watching football (and no its not because of the tight uniforms). I adore sports, and theatre, gasp.

But I also like the more obscure sports (atleast by american standards) like cricket and Aussie Rules football, and soccer.
when ducks grow thumbs then maybe my opinion will change.
#17

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:14pm

Well, i'd never consider acting. some of us still have our boundaries, and making a prat of yourself in front of a group of peers is a breach of that.
"the cottagers at Rotherhithe knew something of his name. From Hammersmith to Putney people shuddered at his name" - Growltiger's Last Stand
#18

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:16pm

PS - Cricket and (ahem) "soccer" (i think you'll find it's called 'football' - and for good reason, as the players majorly use their feet) are cracking games. Good man for liking them!!
"the cottagers at Rotherhithe knew something of his name. From Hammersmith to Putney people shuddered at his name" - Growltiger's Last Stand
#19

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:22pm

It's interesting that we equate manhood with bravery and taking risks-- and yet the thought of doing something that your peers would make fun of you for is something you wouldn't consider-I say don't let other people set boundaries and dictate what you can and cannot do. We miss out on so much that might potentially bring us great joy because of fear of what others might think of us.
#20

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:26pm

You know what? At work, they know that I like musicals and one day this woman I work with asked me, "So, DJ...did you watch the football game last night?" I said, "I don't really like sports. I just can't get into them." Then all of a sudden, out of the blue she said:

" You know what DJ? You like musicals but not sports. I think I have more balls than you do and if you don't watch out, people are going to start thinking you are a fag."

Trust me, I was SO PISSED OFF I couldn't stand it. But, yes.....straight men who like theatre get it but it does not take away from your masculinity. That is not defined by what sports you like or who you bullied in high school. Your masculinity is defined on how you act in your daily life and you striving to be the best that you can.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#21

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:32pm

and you should have answered, " And if you don't watch out people are going to think you are a narrow-minded, uncultured---Homophobe---and that's not a good thing!!!

#22

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:35pm

Oh, I can tell you that she is a homophobe. She makes comments all the time about gay people that REALLY tickes me off. Almost everyday she tells me that I need to be more like a man. One time I almost said, "Ok.....if I punch you in the mouth and tell you to shut the F*&CK up and get me a Mountain Dew, will I meet your standards of a 'man?'" She always has something to say, but one day it will catch up with her and I hope I am there when it happens.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#23

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:42pm

All stereotypes are rooted in truth. I'm at college (a theatre conservatory) and of the 25 or 26 Acting and Musical Theatre majors, I know that about 20 are gay. Personally as a straight male I have only one thing to say about this....hell yea!

I have have no f***ing competition! I would let my straight guy friends kno about this...but why ruin it for me. Dude, if yur straight and into musical theatre, live it up.

Yours Truly,
Straight Musical Lover
#24

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:42pm

I don't know what your work is or if this Neanderthal is in a position of authority but she is sexually harassing you and you should report it.
How awful for you that you are subjected to this jerk...
#25

re: Musicals and masculinity

Posted: 9/5/05 at 5:03pm

No fears. Girls LOVE guys who are into the theater.

Only guys I've really dated have been men I've met through doing theater. I really enjoy being able to go to theater with a guy and passionately discuss the show or the score without him being bored to tears.

EDIT: I love London Boy! Only place I've ever heard someone called a "prat" is in Harry Potter. ADORABLE!
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. " --Sueleen Gay

Updated On: 9/5/05 at 05:03 PM

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