Musicals: Showing their age? Or timeless?- Page 4

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 4:06pm

Wow, finally got around to reading this thread and I'm glad I did, a couple thoughts from all 3 pages:

Jose, early on you mentioned the percentage of Rent fans who know nothing about and care nothing about any other bway show. On the contrary, I know many ppl, myself included where Rent served as a gateway show to the wonderful world of bway--they were willing to see and accept Rent and along w/ the "generation" aspects of it, there was theatre in it, and then they said hmm this theatre thing is kind of good what else is there? and then they moved on to all forms. rent really has I think brought a whole new generation of bway fans. Sure, there are some ppl who like Rent and nothing else, but I still say better that they attend rent and enjoy it than rock concerts which make them deaf(no comment on the loudness of the show please, not my point).

The music man...I played the score 3 years ago...it's...a...satire? Well I suppose that's your answer right there. I always thought it was Meredith Wilson's lullaby to his old home town and those old small towns in old America. Oops. Well, I don't really know how well this one holds up. I don't find it that funny, and I think audiences today want something they can relate to, themes that touch them and relate to their lives. I don't know how much of that is present in MM.

Same goes for Oklahoma! This of course will never be forgotten b/c of its importance in bway history, but still many contemporary audiences I would think do not find this show awfully enjoyable. For me at least, I think it comes to...this show and the MM...it's too happy for me. I grew up w/ a bway where there was almost always a character death, I left crying, or really thinking. The only fairly happy shows I love are comedies like Q or DRS where I am laughing the whole time. So maybe b/c I don't get or appreciate the humor so much is why I just don't enjoy them, again I just don't see much I can relate to, sure there's love but there's more profound versions of love to be found in more dramatic shows. Maybe it's just me, but I was the person who at the end of the Little Shop movie went what?? They live?? What a rip off!

And now in terms of the more timeless musicals...like I said, I think it comes down to is there something the audience can relate to or understand certain feelings or will it touch them. Certainly that's been the case w/ West Side Story...even though the "gang" wars between the Poles and the Puerto Ricans aren't occuring as much, there's still so much of that show that is important today...prejudice, hatred, love becoming your life, hope for a better time and place where there will be peace, and I don't know if at any time an audience will exist that won't be horrified by "The Taunting Scene."

Cabaret as well I think will always be timeless b/c it's main theme, where ppl are terrible things can happen, is just true of all generations. A Chorus Line though it may not maintain the popularity it was known for, there are some universal things people can relate to, dancers of course in particular, but the whole behind the scenes seeing what ppl hafta go through how hard they hafta work to just be part of a line.

B/c they already take place in certain time periods, and they are so touching, I think Les Miz and Miss Saigon can be timeless too. There are some universal aspects in there, and I can't imagine a generation who wouldn't be touched by these pieces.

My Fair Lady feels timeless...::after a couple minutes of thinking:: it's a classic Cinderella story, of ppl rising up from poor circumstances to "have it all." That story is timeless.

It's interesting the Sound of Music feels timeless...but I'm not sure what separates it from MM and O!...it really just may be that i saw it when I was quite young, I'm not sure.

Finally, Rent had been argued about and I think...it may be like a chorus line where aspects of it can remain timeless yet it may not retain its popularity over time, even though it is so much about a specific generation, you see the heart of the characters which IMO can overcome any of the generational stuff...I mean, I don't know how much I consider myself a part of the Rent generation...I'm very close w/ my family, don't have any diseases, etc...but I think the core messages of the show can be universally felt and thought about...measure your life in love and no day but today. These themes could live on forever.

And I'm sorry, I was just doing some thinking, I know you said no present ones but I can't shake this thought

Ljay mentioned Chicago is one of the few musicals that can remain completely relevant 50 years from now...I think Wicked could be too. It's set in a total fantasy world, so time period doesn't matter and there really aren't specific references made. What attracts young girls in particular to this show, the desire to overcome obstacles, defy gravity, become a better person, etc. I can't imagine wouldn't forever be relevant. Even if you guys yourselves don't appreciate the show, i think one has to recognize why it is so popular and what draws people to it and in thinking that way, imo I can't see how it wouldn't become timeless. (Hey I'm discussing the show very intelligently, not talking about how omg i love it wicked haters suck, so I'm allowed to have mentioned it :-P

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 6:51pm

wickedrentq --- Thanks for weighing in. It's always good to hear other people's perspectives. Since you brought up Wicked, I don't mind discussing it. It's more a speculation for both of us, rather than an educated opinion of how the musical "has" already fared against the ravages of time. I think Wicked possesses many potentially timeless qualities... the ones you mentioned, in fact. But "my jury is out" on the music, and also the style of performing the songs that we are used to hearing now. (The "belty riffers" if you will.) Doubtless, in 50 years or more, music and singing styles will have changed. They always do. So I'm not sure how the score is going to hold up. It's great now... very contemporary... but time will tell if it will eventually sound "old fashioned" or even "ancient" to future ears.

But, as others have said, a modern-sounding score isn't everything... or at least isn't the most important thing. Human emotion and behavior will be the main ingredient to any show remaingin timeless... and I think this show has a lot to offer audiences of the future.

EDIT: Grizzabella -- JCS was always intended to be a stage show, but like "Chess" that came after it, initially JCS was produced as a concept album (entirely in the studio). The interest built from there and led to the West End production, then Broadway, the film, etc. Chess took its cue from JCS as a way to build the buzz. And Wildhorn after that.

I love this score and this show! It may even be Webber's strongest in many ways. There is an unbridled, raw energy to it (perhaps due to his youth?) that is missing in some of his later scores. It's "fearless" at times, which is so admirable. The interesting thing about Rock music is that it's still around as a major, viable "pop" genre. Even though JCS has a decidedly early '70s flair, Rock is still around as a vital music "trend" today. Not like Big Band or Ragtime, which eventually moved into the nostalgia category.

It will be interesting to see what will happen to this musical when Rock has become passé.

Updated On: 12/8/05 at 06:51 PM

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 12/8/05 at 7:28pm

Wicked: I have never been one of the big detractors of the show. I enjoyed it, although the performers need to be strong to hold my interest, and the last time I saw it they were not. I think that it is not possible to have a real perspective on the show at this point. The Score is very modern, but in the right hands I think it could be produced in many ways. The Book is a huge detriment to the show though. The themes and fact that it is set in a fantasy world are helpful. All in all, I think it could hold up, but there are many factors working against it. As with all the shows we have been discussing, handleing the material with skill and balance is probably essential.

JCS is without a doubt my favorite Webber score. I agree that the way that audiences respond to "Rock Music" will be important to the show's success at lasting into the future.