Musicals for Beginners- Page 2

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 11:28pm

Definetly some Rodgers and Hammerstein, but I would also suggest some Jerry Herman. His stuff just epitomizes the "showtune". It's catchy and hummable.

[Sporkie]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 11:31pm

Sondheim can be a little cute-like ItW, or a Lot of Company...I can totally imagine that "Bobby" sequence that they always repeat Bobby...
Bobby...
Bobby baby...
Bobby bubbi...
Robby...
Robert darling...
Bobby, we've been trying to call you.
Bobby...
Bobby...
Bobby baby...
Bobby bubbi...
Angel, I've got something to tell you.
Bob...
Robbo...
Bobby love...
Bobby honey...
Bobby, we've been trying to reach you all day.
Bobby...
Bobby...
Bobby Baby...
Angel...
Darling...
The kids were asking--
Bobby...
Bobby...
Robert...
Robby...
Bob-o...
Bobby, there was something we wanted to say.
Bobby...
Bobby bubbi...
Sweetheart...
Sugar...
Your line was busy.
What have you been up to, kiddo?
Bobby...
Fella...
Bobby...
Sweetie...
would drive someone insane, as would a lot of the pattery songs in ItW, like that whole "So it's your fault" bit. and the intense, frequent rhyming. And the merits might not register, because, as Forbidden Broadway reminds us, "With Sondheim's musicals you have to go 'Into the Words'"

[mattvcrewse]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 11:33pm

sporkie:

"...I actually think it's perfect because it's accesible to even Republicans..."

What does political affiliation have to do with liking musical theatre? That is one of the most ignorant, narrow-minded statements I have ever seen on these boards.

You can't start beginners out with something heavy like Les Mis, or any other pop opera. It also depends on the beginner's age and intelligence. Most ten-year-olds cannot follow POTO or shows with heavy adult themes (not talking about sexual references, etc. I mean themes and problems that adults deal with exclusively). If the person doesn't have a taste for more classical music, I wouldn't even start them off with Lerner and Loewe, and definitely not Rodgers and Hammerstein. Start them off with pop music and spectacle (i.e. Lion King). If they're an adult, take them to see My Fair Lady, one of the most perfect examples of a book musical ever written, and down right endearing.

[Sporkie]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 11:47pm

Relax. Remember that whole rent thing during the Republicn Convention in NYC? I wasn't being like 'republicans are dumb', because I know it's not true. However, Avenue Q isn't that great for Republicans, since if that's their first musical they'll think 'omigod, tht show just said George W is only for now, and they're all liberal and...." and Rent is also uber lliberal..I just meant that conservative people probably won't like a lot of the musicals like Rent because if they are conservative it's probably not their thing and could seem like it had too much of a political agenda which, one would assume, might turn first-time viewers off of musicals for good. Some of my closest friends are republicans, and they don't think too much of some of the more liberal musicals. I actually like your suggestions as well. Lion King is easing kids in, since they've probably alrady seen the movie, and My Fair Lady is OK, although I'm not sure it's fantastic. Good ideas, Matt.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:18am

I can't believe there is even any thought being put into this.
If you're teaching it, you have to start with Oklahoma. It was the turning point of the musical theater, and it still works on it's own today, something very few shows from way back when can say.

Now, if i were to start a theater company, or work with a new group of people for the first time, i would do Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, or Godspell. Best shows to feel people out, i think. Beginners can do well with all three.

-Jerry herman is good too! Dolly is a good show for teaching, but i wouldn't start a company off by doing a jerry herman show, they are all star vehicles and you need to try on your casst first.
Updated On: 3/25/05 at 12:18 AM

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 2:00am

ddtruitt- Nice comprehensive list! It's a longer version of mine, and makes me feel stupid that I excluded Hello Dolly. (I know I excluded Brigadoon. And there's a reason for that. The music's good but the plot is so, well, uh, dumb.) I would add some older stuff, at least something by Gershwin (Of Thee I Sing?) and maybe Kiss Me Kate. The older stuff may lack in logical plotting (though rarely as silly as Brigadoon), but they're worth it for the music!

About the Ring Cycle thing, I would name something like Sunday or Pacific Overtures as the Ring Cycle of musical theater; something that's not appreciated by everyone but revered by some, and that pushes the boundaries of its medium. (I know several music history professors who really don't like Wagner and would never sit through a whole Ring. I personally find them musically enthralling but dramatically soporific.)

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 3:06am

get em while they're young and take em to CATS. they'll be hooked for life!

[Footlooser]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 5:33am

Oklahoma may have been a turning point but it doesn't change the fact that the show sucks. Start them off with something good and then go back, if you have too.

[JakeB]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 6:29am

You can't take a beginner to see Rent! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

[bostonbroadwayfan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 8:27am

If you want something modern I'd go with Movin Out as a starting point. That was my first and it sparked my interest in learning about other shows.
Helps if you're a Billy Joel fan and you'd be familar with his music.