November 13, 2007

#1

November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/18/06 at 11:51pm

THE LION KING turns 10 on Broadway.

Can you believe it's already been 10 years? I mean, it feels like CHICAGO has been there forever, but THE LION KING is thriving. And I don't mean financially. How is it that CHICAGO and RENT, two shows that, in my opinion, are written much better than THE LION KING and yet they are sooooo bad right now, and LK can still not only rack in the dough, but the show is in GREAT shape!! It was even in great shape before the transfer, I hear.

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#2

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:05am

Oh my...

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"Hey, you! You're the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber!" -Family Guy

#3

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:08am

I can't believe I saw TLK the weekend after it opened.

Now that's something.

#4

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:10am

aww... I share a birthday with one of my least favorite shows... interesting...

#5

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:12am

Updated On: 11/22/06 at 12:12 AM

#6

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:42am

Rent is still doing business in the 70s most weeks, sometimes more, sometimes less. I wouldn't call that bad by any stretch, given how long its been open. Chicago is also pulling in good attendance, granted by stunt casting.

Even still, the weekly running costs for both shows allow for low(er than capacity) attendance on a somewhat regular basis.

#7

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:56am

Screw attendance, I'm talking "shape" as in how GOOD it is.

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#8

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 1:09am

Ah, well, in that case, I agree with you re: RENT. I haven't seen it on Broadway in a year, but I can't say I was impressed with most of the cast when I did see it.

#9

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:21am

Lion King is a machine, who's primary star was its director. As long as there are actors to fill the parts in her vision, it will continue to be a success. There aren't any roles in Lion King that require actors with any particular flair or stand-out quality. You basically need four or five lead actors who can manage stereotypical english or african accents and can sing decently and you've got a hit that just keeps on running. The other shows you mention, however, are built around the performances of the actors. Chicago in particular with its bare staging.

#10

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:27am

I feel so old.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#11

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:35pm

It's THAT old????!???

#12

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:39pm

Wow, I saw it with the OBC too

Where are my crows' feet to show for this...

#13

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 5:58pm

"How is it that CHICAGO and RENT, two shows that, in my opinion, are written much better than THE LION KING and yet they are sooooo bad right now, and LK can still not only rack in the dough, but the show is in GREAT shape!!"

Simple: It's Disney, the movie was VERY popular, and it's a family-friendly show. Duh.

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#14

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 6:06pm

Gosh Theatreboy it's so easy, you go do it. Really. Go.

I've seen the Lion King a few times during it's ten years and have never seen a cast that wasn't giving 100%. I won't say that it's the best show on Broadway by any stretch, but I have to hand it to Disney, they have put togther a first class show that is not showing it's age.

#15

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 6:10pm

That is a year from now, why you posting it now?

#16

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 6:20pm

Yeah, um, it's only been nine years. Planning a party Capn? I'd love an invite!

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"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx

#17

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:01pm

OMG! That is unbelievable! And to think I saw it with the OBC. Now I feel old

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Dancing through life... For the next ten minutes

#18

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:03pm

This makes me think of Ragtime.

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-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/

#19

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:05pm

The only people who care about the shape of a show are on the message boards. You think the tourists would know the difference?

#20

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:13pm

^They will once they buy and listen to the "soundtrack!"

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-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/

#21

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:24pm

When I saw RENT last month, the two "tourists" seated in front of me walked out.

And as I stood in line at TKTS, I got into a conversation with some tourists from Australia. They saw RENT the day after I did and thought it was dreadful. They were in line for tickets to BEAUTY & THE BEAST...I persuaded them to see AVENUE Q instead. (They had seen LK in AU and loved it).

---

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#22

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:27pm

Maybe they walked out because they thought the show itself sucked. Same with the Australia tourists. Doesn't have to do with "quality."

#23

re: November 13, 2007

Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:53pm

JoeKv, do what? What's with the attitude? Is what i said really that harsh or outwardly challenging?