The new West Side Story: Billy Elliot vs. 9 to 5 — Page 2

I don't think TBD2 is explaining it correctly. Original refers to it being the first time it played on Broadway. As in Billy Elliot is an original musical (just debuted this season), while West Side Story is a revival, because it's played on Broadway previously. I was confused about this too when I first got into Broadway and Thoroughly Modern Millie won Best Original Musical. I thought, but it's already a movie that's not original. I had to have someone explain it to me. It has nothing to do with originality of the story. West Side Story would be considered a revival even if they did it with no set, all in Spanish and Italian, and made the score into a punk rock style. Not that they ever should. Hope this clears up the confusion.

rOcKS

Well, in my opinion, I don't think N2N is the best rock musical since rent, that's what I meant to say. I don't think there has been a rock musical at the level of rent yet since rent's opening.

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Updated On: 3/16/09 at 04:02 PM

This Next to Normal conversation is interesting. I do think Rent is something of a masterpiece AND I think Next to Normal is the best rock musical I've heard since Rent premiered. But it's not saying much since I think most rock musicals since Rent have been either awful (such as Spring Awakening) or too similar in style (such as Bare).

I could argue Tanz der Vampire (the German production), but I don't consider it a rock musical. More of a pop musical, I guess.

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Well, in my opinion:

direction: Billy Elliot
Choreo: WSH / Billy ELliot
Score : Billy Elliot
Lighting: billy Elliot
Best Musical: for sure Billy Elliot!!!!!

If Billy Elliot wins best score then that's ridiculous. I love BE but 9 to 5 obviously has a much better score.

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I don't think N2N should be completely neglected for Best Musical. Aren't the Tony Awards supposed to recognize the creativity and development of American theater? With Billy Elliot as a British crossover and 9 to 5 being inspired by a major motion picture, I think that Next to Normal has a great chance of winning Best Musical. I feel as if N2N exhibits all of the qualities necessary to recieve great awards because of its originality and its impact on American theater. Wasn't there a quote somewhere from a review saying something like, "This is a show for anyone who cares about the future of the American musical" or something like that. I totally agree with that statement.

If not Best Musical, N2N without a doubt deserves best score in my opinion.

With the many revivals and few new musicals, Next to Normal possibly will be nominated for Best Musical, will it win? no.

While the score to Billy Elliot may not be memorable. It is very suitable for the plot. It is delivered with nothing over the top but just enough to please the eye.

Having not seeing 9 to 5...yet! From what I see from the videos and sound clips, it has a whipped cream topping w/ a cherry on top, too it. Does it make it Fluff or just enough?

Too early to call, but the ballerina boy might win, OR the working girls will have the last laugh.

I am going to see 9 to 5 in April and revisit BE and I then I can truly give my 2 cents.

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NEXT TO NORMAL is a shoo-in for a Best Musical nomination IMO.

I think it'll be BILLY ELLIOT, 9 TO 5, NEXT TO NORMAL and SHREK.

ROCK OF AGES could steal SHREK's spot but the first three are locks for nominations I think. BILLY got raves, 9 TO 5 should get positive reviews as should N2N considering it got fair to positive reviews at 2ST and is much, much better now.

I could see ROCK OF AGES getting the same level reviews as SHREK but then again I shouldn't judge because I haven't seen ROA yet (I'm going on Thursday) so it's just a shot in the dark.

Ripley, the three Billys, Olivo, and either Jbara or Sieber will take the acting awards at this point, I think.

This is a really interesting Tony year...and it started out so slowly. I think there are going to be quite a few surprises on June 7th.

Much More than 5 shows for N2N. It will be a slow start up, but it garnished great reviews not even a full year ago. With the recording available around the opening of it will also be a much better place than SOML was. My prediction is it will last AT least till the summer, if not later.

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Updated On: 3/16/09 at 09:07 PM

Wish someone could explain all the hype about Billy Elliott to me! In my opinion, it's a loser. May have made some sense on the West End but don't see how it cuts it here. And some dancing would have been nice since it was about a young boy who wants to be a dancer.
HUGE waste of money in my opinion. Could have bought several more watches at Swatch with the money I spent on three tickets.

Billy has choreography in the bag.

^ LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Great Reviews!!!! TELL ANOTHER ONE BROADWAYLOVER26

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