SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?- Page 6
SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
#125SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 1:30pmMy thoughts exactly, jv92. Sorry-grateful.
#126SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 2:27pm
There is a lesson to be learned from SCOTTSBORO BOYS: Black history deserves something better than musical comedy cliches.
Why didn't PARADE, about injustice done to a Jew, resort to Yiddish theater mannerisms? Because Hal Prince and Jason Robert Brown wanted the story to be done with dramatic integrity. The creators of BOYS sold history down the river with dated, outmoded, staging and writing cliches posing as "irony." Unfortunately, the show's potential audience saw through it...and rejected it.
#126SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 2:27pm
There is a lesson to be learned from SCOTTSBORO BOYS: Black history deserves something better than musical comedy cliches.
Why didn't PARADE, about injustice done to a Jew, resort to Yiddish theater mannerisms? Because Hal Prince and Jason Robert Brown wanted the story to be done with dramatic integrity. The creators of BOYS sold history down the river with dated, outmoded, staging and writing cliches posing as "irony." Unfortunately, the show's potential audience saw through it...and rejected it.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#128SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 2:30pm
Most AUDIENCES loved it. It was people that never walked in the door that poo-poo'ed its choice of device. There was NOTHING cliche about the production.
I thought it was brilliant, and was quite moved. As were so many that actually attended the show.
#129SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 2:53pmI can't speak for most 'AUDIENCES" and for that matter, neither can you. I can only speak for myself, I firmly stand by my comments. And for the record, 1970's-style/Walk Him Up the Stairs (Purlie) tambourines are quite a cliche.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#130SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 2:55pmOrlandod, that's the same post that Stevenstage posted on All That Chat. Are you one and the same?
#131SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 2:58pm
"I can only speak for myself"
Orlandog, when you say you can speak for yourself, does that mean you've actually seen the show? Your arguments don't convince me you've actually seen it.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#132SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 2:59pmIf he's stevenstage, he hasn't seen it.
#134SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 3:05pmYes, I saw the show at the Vineyard Theatre, and on broadway.
#135SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 3:11pmIn that case, I am shocked that you didn't find the minstrel show framing device effective. That is, however, your opinion.
#136SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 3:19pmThat's a fair statement. The artist in me found the minstrel show framing device gimmicky, and to be fair, yes, at times quite effective.
#137SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 3:22pmJust out of curiosity, which bits did you find gimmicky and which bits did you find effective?
#138SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 3:33pm
The overall feel of musical theatre sugar-coatedness of this really rather serious piece with the minstrel show framing device seemed extremely gimmicky to me- the ending (Rosa P) (without completely spoiling it for those who plan to see it/are reading this thread), and the biggest thing for me was the feeling that the show was tepidly presenting the 'BOYS' story, and yet, trying to be ironic. How can you tell their story and NOT go there. I've mentioned the 'props-tambourines'.
Again, I was rooting for Scottsboro Boys success, and for that matter the future of 'intelligent' musical theatre on broadway, but this, again in my opinion, didn't do it justice.
As for the effectiveness of the piece, I sincerely thought the performers did the material justice and they're a talented group--and the infamous line, which i'm sure the creative team thought would make the minstrel show frame work brilliantly and not just be an offensive musical (SPOILER) and i'm paraphrasing...
"CAN WE TELL THE REAL STORY NOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED..."
"
Updated On: 12/4/10 at 03:33 PM
#139SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 3:51pmThat's a fair opinion, orlandog. Let me share mine. I felt that the minstrel show is something that has been somewhat "forgotten" in today's society. It is a shameful tradition and is not one that people constantly refer to. Most of my non-theater friends have no idea that such a form ever existed and are horrified that it did. I think that in The Scottsboro Boys, the minstrel show puts the audience members back a century and makes them feel as if they're actually "enjoying" a minstrel show. As an audience member, you are forced to come to terms with the fact that you are being entertained by a degrading art form and figure out what that means to you. I think that it evokes stronger feelings and reactions, for me, as a minstrel show, than it would as a straight-play telling the story. The minstrel show further highlights the racism and stereotypes that made the injustice of the real Scottsboro Boys story possible by taking you to a time in which those stereotypes were considered entertaining. I confess that the first time I saw it, I wasn't exactly sure what to think after. Seeing it a second time helped me "get" it as much as I could and I found it even more powerful. I plan on going a few more times this week if I can just to soak up every last minute of a wonderful, powerful show.
#140SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 4:06pm
Yes, I thoroughly understood what they were aiming to do, but the mere fact that they choose to present the story as a toe-tapping/stomping 'intelligent' thought provoking musical, as opposed to a play perhaps, limited them (dare I say it) to high kicks, big grins, blackface, lots of teeth, and ball-changes.
All wrapped up with accusatory glares, furrowed brows, poking fun of Caucasian women, Jews, and African American Kids, not to mention during the holiday touristy season, in order to sell tickets. At the end of the day, the irony and offensiveness of it all played too gimmicky (for me) and apparently future audiences were not taking too well to what they had to sell.
Updated On: 12/4/10 at 04:06 PM
#141SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 4:32pm
So it seems this was a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-dont choice. No, I havent seen it yet -- I will on Tuesday -- but I think the choice of the minstrel show was inspired for its sheer audacity: an art form that was done specifically for the amusement of a predominately white audience. It's taking the irony of CABARET and CHICAGO and pushing it to a *really* uncomfortable level, and I applaud them pursuing the concept as much as they apparently did. But while we apparently love the "irony" concept in shows such as CABARET and CHICAGO, once it's applied to something as touchy as race, I gather it makes everyone *so* uncomfortable that we just dont want to deal with it. Instead of embracing the show for turning the stereotype on its head, we protest it... which, to me, suggests the protests that many churches ran against LIFE OF BRIAN when that film opened. None of them had actually *seen* it; they just didnt like someone *supposedly* making fun of what they saw as *their* turf. Then folks actually saw it, the protesters were left with egg on their faces, and life continued on.
So I'm gonna ask the question: is it the fact that this show was written by a couple of white guys that makes those against it so uncomfortable? Spike Lee, after all, trod the same ground with BAMBOOZLED in 2000 -- it wasnt a great film by any stretch, but neither did it have any protesters when it opened. So is it the fact that the creators of SCOTTSBORO are playing in turf where they werent invited?
#142SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 4:34pm
Edited because I didn't read your question well before responding: I think that might be part of people's problem with the show, especially given the charged nature of the protestors' flyers. I, on the other hand, think the show speaks for itself, no matter who wrote it. I think you're really going to enjoy the show.
Updated On: 12/4/10 at 04:34 PM
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#143SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 4:49pm
Optimist2 -- I couldn't agree with you more. I loved the contrast of what the Minstrel Show brought. I thought it highlighted the absurdity of the times beautifully.
Even WHILE I would laugh, it was an uncomfortable laughter -- and one that almost embarrassed you to have -- which I suspect was thier intent.
#144SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/4/10 at 10:05pmRandom question: does anyone know if they're selling a windowcard at the theater?
#145SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/5/10 at 1:04pm
Orlandog,
Can i just poke a few holes in the gimmick idea? 
In 1931 the most popular form of entertainment was the minstrel show. This show takes place in 1931. Gimmick or truth? In 1931 if this show were to be done, it more than likely would have been minstrelsy, otherwise IT would not have sold tickets.
Rosa Parks was an avid activist for the Scottsboro boys. She worked i believe for the advocacy groups that helped raise awareness to get the Scottsboro Boys funding. GImmick or Truth?
Minstrel shows did not have Spiderman type budgets. Often it was a bunch of poor performers traveling in a bus and truck type tour with rag-ma-tag props and sets. Minimal to say the least. I think tambourines fit into that category. I wont ask again...
So much misconception shrouds this show, the format, the actual case, and history. Im so sad the show didn't have more of a chance to educate. Oh ive talked to some folks associated with the show. People jump to their feet every night. They are just as confused about it not selling as i am.
#146SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/5/10 at 10:05pm
I saw the show today and thought it was magnificent.
The protesters outside the theatre, however, seemed to think otherwise. What's the point of protesting a show closing in a week?
#147SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/5/10 at 10:37pm
Anyone find it a little weird that the protestors only protest the matinees (as far as I have heard/seen). If it was really that big a deal for them, wouldn't they try to go to all performances?
I was at the performance tonight and was deeply moved again. It was a wonderful house. It took several minutes before the crowd calmed down enough to let them make the BC/EFA speech. What an incredible show. I really hope it has some sort of life after Broadway.
#148SCOTTSBORO BOYS closing December 12?
Posted: 12/6/10 at 11:10amNo protestors on Dec. 4th before the matinee. I was looking forward to seeing them and telling them they ought to be ashamed of themselves. Really ignorant people.
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