Pros and Cons on Memphis- Page 2

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 1:26am

I doubt Kimball will even be nominated.

I highly doubt it as well, not with the likes of the two Felas, Nathan Lane, Sean Hayes, Alexander Hanson, Doug Hodge, Kelsey Grammer, John Gallagher Jr., Cheyenne Jackson, and Jim Norton all vying for 5 spots.
Updated On: 12/31/09 at 01:26 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 1:27am

Will the Fela's be like the Billys?

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 1:28am

^ I would think so.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 1:28am

Then I hope they open the show dancing with a chair.

[jeffmiele]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 1:40am

the show was good but if you mix 'Hairspray', 'All Shook Up", and 'Jersey Boys" together, you get 'Memphis'

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 3:31am

AdamGreer-- have you heard anything about American Idiot? (re: the Gallagher mention) I thought it wasn't opening until Fall


and THANK YOU to the rest of your for taking the time to elaborate your opinions. I'm still on the fence, but leaning BACK to my original thought of stay the heck away....but now have more to think about. I can't be in the city until the weekend after MLK day -- so I've a LITTLE time to decide what to see along with Present Laughter.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 2:14pm

AdamGreer-- have you heard anything about American Idiot? (re: the Gallagher mention) I thought it wasn't opening until Fall

I've heard it's coming this spring, moving in to the theater of a soon to be closed revival whose title is not Ragtime.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 3:12pm

I have since NOT heard the same thing. Thanks for getting back to me.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 3:22pm

I agree with the comment about Kimball playing the character like he has some kind of mental disability. It was quite a strange performance.

[Sab6888]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 3:24pm

I'm gonna agree with the minority here, but Memphis is one of my favorite shows on Broadway right now! Here's my pro-con list:

Pros:
Chad Kimball's performance. Everything about it. I was totally moved by his portrayal, and I definitely felt for Huey.

The choreography

The ensemble

James Monroe Iglehart

The music! I cannot stop listening to the OBCR.

The ending

Cons:
Montego's acting at times

lots of clichés

[goldenboy]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 2:29pm

I thought this musical was great!
I am so glad I went. It is everything a musical should be. I hope it finds it audience through word of mouth.

Pros:
Chad Kimball gave an amazing performance-sitting in the row P of the orchestra--
he gave a Tony Award performance. He was Robin Williams and Norbert Butz rolled into one..
moving and involving plot
the score
the choreography
the set
the spirit of the cast
the talent of the cast.
the costumes
thought the plot was involving
its an original musical
not based on and ruining a movies like Legally Blonde.
Its everything a musical should be.
a well deserved standing ovation.

Cons:
Only one- I could have lived without the mother's epiphany (Cass Morgan's gospel solo) to suddenly embracing the other race in Act two. I think this number colored
the critics judgement as overtly " politically correct. and overly sentimental. It made me roll my eyes. should have been cut.


Although it is similar in theme to Dreamgirls and Hairspray, the story is very different and I ddin't find it predictable at all.

I found In the Heights way more predictable--10 minutes into in the Heights
Grandma forgets to take her heart pills. " Oh she is going to die in Act 2 I thought.-that was predictable. And a plot (in IN the Heights) whether the girl is going to stay in college--it wwas like a bad afternoon special. That was predictable and Mundane.

I hope this finds an audience.



So much better than In the Heights, Legally Blonde, Phantom of the Opera and Mama Mia.

[Hank]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 5:39pm

"whispering in my ear", huh? Not exactly. The show is very loud, especially the opening number. And even more so if you're siting in row C on either side. That's my biggest con. Other than that, I think it's a so-so show, great dancing, and I agree with all the comparisons with Hairspray.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 6:06pm

Hey goldenboy, spoiler alert of some kind would be nice. Some people(me) haven't seen In The Hieghts, so thanks.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 6:23pm

"So much better than In the Heights, Legally Blonde, Phantom of the Opera and Mama Mia."

Hahaha!!! That doesn't really say much. In fact, it only verifies what the majority think - "Memphis" is a worthless drag.

There are dozens and dozens of flaws/cons. Start with the book, then move onto the score, then focus in on Chad Kimball, and continue from there! I could go on for days... LOL

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 1:22am

Did we see the same show? I find the negative comments around Memphis very confusing.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 1:29am

^ Why are you so shocked? It's all a matter of opinion.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 11:59am

I'm sure you would. Stop drinking the kool aid and open your eyes a bit.

I liked "Memphis" the first time and went back a second time, but really paid attention that next time around (as opposed to just 'enjoying') - it is SUCH a mess. I think they do a decent job at hiding this for those who are naive & ignorant.

Go see it with a fresh perspective and an open mind. The fact that you can't find ANY flaws is somewhat strange. Usually we call people like that a shill. Are you? Perhaps.

[snarkywannabedreamer]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 12:15pm

I would have to say that if you find this subject compelling and enjoyed the singing, PLEASE do yourself a favor and investigate REAL Memphis R&B and Rock n' Roll... not this showtuney, "jazz hands" version- a version that only sounds soulful when it relies on the singers and an audience that has no sense of music (outside of an OCR) and doesn't know any better.

I actually think this show could have been one of those shows that could have found success as a jukebox/original score hybrid. Use real Memphis soul for the "hit" songs of the time . It would have at least help add some flavor of authenticity.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 12:22pm

^^ Agreed Snarky.

Though that would also be more expensive... LOL

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 5:14pm

Some people here are so nasty and possessive of what's supposed to be a public space. I find it amusing and a little sad. It really plays to some very unfortunate stereotypes.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 5:40pm

Who's being possessive? The OP asked for peoples' opinions on Memphis, and they were given.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 5:53pm

Oh, you didn't hear???

According to Mr. Scott Briefs, we're all "possessive" and "nasty" if we can pick out anything negative in a FLAWED production of FLAWED material. Hey, Scott - try a little harder to hide your shiller identity.

How much are they paying you?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 6:36pm

AS the OP, Scott, people here responded just in the way I hoped....giving me constructive and/or positive feedback. While I get to the city often, I still don't have the time OR the money to see EVERYTHING and since I was on the fence about seeing this, I wanted to make a real educated choice by hearing the good and the bad about it.

How does someone else's criticism in ANY way affect YOUR enjoyment of the show?

One of the shows I dearly love (Spring Awakening) was CONSTANTLY bashed here. Big Whoop. Even though it spoke to me on a very emotional level, I could see it was flawed. (Very few shows ARE perfect!)

Please remember these are DISCUSSION boards, discussions don't happen if there aren't different opinions. I appreciate your love for the show as much as I do the criticism of others.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 8:33pm

Drama - While I agree with your nicely written post, you did say something that just isn't true...

"(Very few shows ARE perfect!)"

Correction: NO shows are 'perfect'. There is a flaw in everything. There are many classics that come close to "perfection" but I can promise that there are glaring flaws, problems, and holes in each musical.

[lsinger2]

Posted: 1/2/10 at 10:02pm

Just got home from the show- it is fun and enjoyable but silly. There is nothing to it. The music is good but from the side orchestra it was hard to hear. I felt like I was watching Hairspray at some parts. The story was not developed as much as it should have been. The audience seemed to be loving it. DO NOT pay full price. Got student tickets an hour before on the side for 27$. It is worth that for a nice afternoon, not amazing theater.