Next To Normal - 5/15/09- Page 2

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 12:27pm

Some of the greatest musical theater writers of all time have songs that repeat a word or phrase many times. That's not really a pointed argument.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 2:09pm

<< As for the rest of the score, how many times can we repeat "solidarity! solidarity! solidarity forever!" over and over again?
>>

And that MIGHT be considered the best song in the show !!!

It would really be a crime if it wins Best Score... which is basically why I dont think it should win for Best Musical.

[srg129]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 3:40pm

Billy Elliot is a rather simple overblown tourist trap. It is directed, designed, and performed that way. It will win the Tony only because in this economy the road show producers will unanimously vote for it.

The score is one of the worst of any of the new musicals to open this year. 13, Shrek, and The Story of My Life have better scores than Billy Elliot. Next to Normal's score is so far superior to that of Billy Elliot, it isn't even funny.

In a recent article in the NY Times, Ben Brantley stated, "In overproduced musicals like ?9 to 5? and ?Guys and Dolls? all the flashy scenery, and the self-conscious winking that accompanied it, seemed evasive, like a gaudy smoke screen disguising a hollow center." Well this was about the only statement that I didn't agree with in the article. He should have included Billy Elliot--complete with the dancing dresses, Peter Pan flying scene, giant Margaret Thatcher puppet and grown men in tutus "self-conscious winking" that the show relied on to pander to the tourists.

Not to even mention the battery of one-dimensional stereotypical peformances turned in by a number of performers including Gregory Jbara and Carole Shelley. And while David Alvarez (who I saw) is an amazing dancer for his age, he was rather mediocre and average in the singing/acting disciplines.

I think Billy Elliot is a great dance show, but that doesn't always make a great musical. The source material is far superior to the musical, which is odd considering who created the musical.

Billy Elliot's producers and creative team have done a great job "dumbing down" the material so that they will be a financial success on Broadway. Unfortunately they have sucked the heart and soul right out of it in doing so. I still think it's worth everyone seeing simply for the choreography, but just don't expect very much from it other than that. The only Tony award it truly deserves to win is choreography. In all the other categories there are far superior choices that should win. But that won't happen since the voters will look to reward "safe" choices this year and it will pick up more awards on novelty alone.

If you really want to get the thrill of experiencing live theater with heart and soul there are far better options out there to consider.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 7:54pm

I've been saying all along that the star of Billy Elliot is the choreography.


And while I think I liked the show more than srg, I pretty much agree with your thoughts. (Especially about the boys.)

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 8:52pm

I'm not a fan of N2N but I can understand why some people like it. I can promise you that Billy Elliot will NOT depress you. In fact you'll probably be leaving the theatre with your feet about 6 inches in the air!

[cubanpab]

Posted: 5/16/09 at 11:30pm

i corrected the date in the thread title. it was late when i started the thread so my brain was only half working. anyhow...

i cant stop thinking about this show. spent most of the day thinking about what an impact it left on me. i dont think ive ever been affected by a show like that before. maybe the first time i saw 'rent'? thats really all i can compare it to