Musicals with Confusing Plots

[BwayDude2]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#1

Posted: 2/19/15 at 3:34pm

Hey everyone! Going to be doing a cabaret this summer and we wanted the theme to be songs from shows that have confusing story lines.. Any ideas? Shows, songs, anything! I think our opener is going to be "Tangled" From Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown!
Thanks!

[Mister Matt]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#2

Posted: 2/19/15 at 3:42pm

Chess

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

[ILuv2shop531]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#2

Posted: 2/19/15 at 3:43pm

Interesting idea!

My first thought was If/Then. Not completely a confusing plot line but more confusing in the sense that many do not know what is going on the first time they see it. Hope that is helpful!

[Fantod]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#3

Posted: 2/19/15 at 3:45pm

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

[ErinDillyFan]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#4

Posted: 2/19/15 at 3:45pm

Certainly originally "Les Miserables" had that problem. The Forbidden Broadway song about Les Miz is hilarious.

"Martin Guerre" is probably in that category.

I think most would put "Chess" is in that category.

"Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812"

I would put "Next To Normal" in the mix.

A couple of Cole Porter shows: "Anything Goes" and "The Nymph Errant" might fit.

"If/Then"

"Tommy" has some confusing scenes, depending how it is staged.

"By Jeeves" actually has a song where he is trying to remember the plot and all the double named characters.



Updated On: 2/19/15 at 03:45 PM

[gleek4114]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#5

Posted: 2/19/15 at 3:46pm

Depending on the person:

- If/Then
- Merrily We Roll Along
- The Last 5 Years
- Anyone Can Whistle

[Gothampc]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#6

Posted: 2/19/15 at 3:53pm

The Last 5 Years

Merrily We Roll Along

Just because you have to pay attention to what timeframe they are in

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

[henrikegerman]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#7

Posted: 2/19/15 at 3:59pm

Triumph of Love (The Sad and Sordid Saga of Cecile)
Into the Woods (The Witch's exposition in the title song - or better yet to your theme, Your Fault)
Goodtime Charlie (History)
Ernest in Love (Mr. Bunbury)
City of Angels (It Needs Work, "it's just the narrative, it's like a sieve and cloudy as a cataract")
Two Gentlemen of Verona (Follow the Rainbow)
Oh, Brother (Tell Sweet Saroyana)
The Boys from Syracuse (I Had Twins)






Updated On: 2/20/15 at 03:59 PM

[MrsSallyAdams]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#8

Posted: 2/19/15 at 4:04pm

Flahooley (1951)
Boy meets girl and invents communist hating doll.
Asian princess seeks runaway genie.
Genie replicates the dolls destroying capitalism.
Factory workers revolt, burning the dolls. Something something happy ending!

Dude (The Highway Life) (1972)
Gerome Ragni's inimidated by the success of Hair so he writes a follow up musical about a hippy everyman played by multiple actors who is tempted by God and the Devil. Something something drugs and rock songs. Cult flop!

threepanelmusicals.blogspot.com

[Bwaydide92]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#9

Posted: 2/19/15 at 4:19pm

Next to Normal does not have a confusing plot. It has a surprising post device that keeps you in the dark at first.

[ggersten]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#10

Posted: 2/19/15 at 4:32pm

Next To Normal was very confusing with its internal timeline - even with the lyric change to try and smooth/cover it up.

[icecreambenjamin]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#11

Posted: 2/19/15 at 5:13pm

I don't understand how Into the Woods is confusing due to the Witch's exposition. Everything is set up pretty clearly.

[doodlenyc]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#12

Posted: 2/19/15 at 5:40pm

Shogun, the Musical. It had cliff's notes in the playbill.

"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."

"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS

[Gothampc]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#13

Posted: 2/19/15 at 5:54pm

The Mystery of Edwin Drood. They kept changing the ending.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

[seahag2]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#14

Posted: 2/19/15 at 6:53pm

Maybe this is just me....but I was very confused during South Pacific.

[JoseLee_]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#15

Posted: 2/19/15 at 6:57pm

The recent Porgy and Bess revival. I went in not knowing anything other than a few songs. I couldn't tell what they were saying (on tour).

[philly03]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#16

Posted: 2/19/15 at 6:59pm

WONDERLAND

[MVintheheartland]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#17

Posted: 2/19/15 at 7:32pm

If/Then
Next to Normal

[JoseLee_]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#18

Posted: 2/19/15 at 7:38pm

Definitely The Last Five Years. I saw a stage version and then the movie, and STILL don't know what/why/how is happening/ed.

[henrikegerman]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#19

Posted: 2/19/15 at 7:47pm

"I don't understand how Into the Woods is confusing due to the Witch's exposition. Everything is set up pretty clearly."

I tend to generally agree with you, Icecream, but perhaps you've also noticed the hundreds of questions the inciting incident of Into the Woods, described in the Witch's exposition in the title song, has engendered from bww posters asking for clarification.

[GavestonPS]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#20

Posted: 2/19/15 at 7:50pm

I didn't find MARTIN GUERRE confusing so much as laughable. All those thinly disguised love songs between the two male friends and then the shivaree where the townspeople circle the marital chamber and basically chant "Phuk her, phuk her!"

I tried to be quiet, but I laughed through all three hours.

***

But I'll second the choice of FLAHOOLEY. Also, and though I haven't seen it, the plot summary of DO RE ME makes my head spin.

***

As for the proposed review, I find the concept very odd. How is the audience supposed to know the songs come from confusing musicals when all they hear is a single song from each show?

Wouldn't it make more sense to do an evening of confusing songs? At least then the audience would have a shot at being in on the joke.

[henrikegerman]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#21

Posted: 2/19/15 at 9:48pm

"I didn't find MARTIN GUERRE confusing so much as laughable."

I felt the same way about SHOGUN.

[JamesBroadwayWiner]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#22

Posted: 2/19/15 at 10:09pm

If/Then. I have never been more confused at a show.

"Brevity is the soul of wit"--Hamlet

[AHLiebross]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#23

Posted: 2/19/15 at 11:07pm

Brigadoon. Of course, I was ten years old when I saw it.

Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.

[Mr. Nowack]

Musicals with Confusing Plots#24

Posted: 2/19/15 at 11:55pm

I've always found the synopsis of 70, GIRLS, 70 in the CD booklet to be absolutely nonsensical. Perhaps the jumps between the stage show and the actor scenes are more evident seeing it.

It's also got a wonderful score, though intended to be performed by the elderly.

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