Two Types of Musical Theatre Fans: Old-Fashioned or Modern- Page 2

Posted: 6/5/07 at 8:23pm

Where does SOndheim fit in the first poster's definitions??

Anyway I like a huge assortment too although I have to admit I tend to prefer serious ones--to watch/listen to (just how I am--I also tend to prefer serious novels and serious movies)--although the "musical comedy" ones can be tons of fun to be in (and I like watching them too).

Musicals are a medium to me though more than a genre... Like any medium (or way to tell a story) I'm not automatically gonna prefer one style.

E

[Jellylorum]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 11:41pm

"She says, 'It's not supposed to be light and irrevent like that. Broadway is supposed to be deep and emotional, like PHANTOM or LES MIS.' I was quite enraged."

She's obviously a theatre snob wannabe. If she were a real one, she'd say, "Broadway is supposed to be deep and emotional, like anything by Sondheim." :)

I don't judge musicals based on genres. If a musical is well-written or if something about it simply appeals to me, then I'll like it. I don't think I fit into either category. But I noticed that I generally prefer musicals with a traditional sound over those that have a pop/rock vibe.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 11:58pm

For me, it's not subject matter, but music that makes the difference. If I love the score(Ragtime), I love the show. If I hate the score (Sweeney Todd), I hate the show.

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 12:04am

Oh, please. This thread is asinine. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde: "There is no such thing as a 'modern' or an 'old timey" musical. Musicals are either well-written or poorly-written, that is all."

And ANYBODY who thinks PHANTOM, LES MIS or the works of ALW are better theatre than GUYS & DOLLS or SOUTH PACIFIC has no business making absolute pronouncements on the theatre. Obviously, all their taste is in their mouth.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 1:54am

Just to add another quote into Phantom and Les Miz Vs. Producers argument, "Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

[StageManager2]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 2:01am

To paraphrase John Waters: "I guess there's just two kinds of people, heil myself!: MY kind of people, and assholes. It's rather obvious which category you fit into. Have a nice day."

[heil myself!]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 11:21am

What are you saying? I'm an asshole? Or do you think I'm calling those who don't like what I like assholes? Not at all. I SPECIFICALLY said I respect people's opinions and that they have every right to enjoy something I don't like. I apologize if I interperuted you wrong.

And John Waters is the man.

[me2]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 11:27am

I agree with Lost Leander--I love all kinds of shows. It's quality that counts.

Interestingly, I think of PHANTOM and THE PRODUCERS as being very similar. One is all out for romance, the other all out for comedy. Neither reach the intellectual quality of a Tennessee Williams play (favorite: SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH) or a LaChiusa musical (THE WILD PARTY).

I think we are caught in a time when people try to sink shows simply because they are not of their personal taste (i.e. Ethan Mordden, whom I highly respect). I actually want to address this in my blog soon.
Broadway Blog: . . . The Jane Eyre Altercation (a sad but true story)

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 11:41am

"I wouldn't call Les Mis or Phantom deep or emotional. I'd call them stupid."

Then I would call you a very poor candidate for a producer. They are two of the smartest shows ever produced.

"The newer composers, thank God, are creating dramatic pieces of the theatre that don't take themselves as seriously as mega musicals. There are moments of humor in works by Guettel, LaChuisa and so forth."

There are moments of humor in Les Miz and Phantom as well. It's not that the shows take themselves any more seriously than 42nd Street, Oklahoma, South Pacific, Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line, or The Full Monty. The dramatic moments are taken seriously as dramatic and the lighthearted moments are taken....you guessed it....lightheartedly. Just like The Producers takes many of its comedic moments very seriously. Almost to the point of losing its humor altogether.

"And ANYBODY who thinks PHANTOM, LES MIS or the works of ALW are better theatre than GUYS & DOLLS or SOUTH PACIFIC has no business making absolute pronouncements on the theatre. Obviously, all their taste is in their mouth."

Please. Anybody who thinks people should adhere to one opinion only has no business making closed-minded snotty declarations about the theatre or any other art form for that matter.

"The one style that I really dislike are the megamusicals - Les Mis, Phantom, Miss Saigon, Wicked; the shows that take themselves too seriously."

Wicked? Takes itself too seriously? When? You must be talking about a different show, right?

Green girl...Galinda...talking goat?

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 11:56am

I have been thinking about this lately re: myself. I tend to get bored silly by the likes of Kiss Me Kate, Guys & Dolls, My Fair Lady, etc. etc. I feel like I'm *supposed* to like them, but I'm left cold and bored. Lately, I'm nuts about SA and GG, but even among slightly "older" stuff, I like Pippin, Godspell, Chorus Line...i.e., stuff that plays around with conventions. So I guess I'm in the "modern" camp, but I also think of it as light/dark, traditional/non-traditional, heavy/light. I know there are lots of grey areas, but still, it's interesting to think about....

[me2]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 12:20pm

gymdudeva, Don't give up on those shows yet! The first production of THE MUSIC MAN I saw was a bland community theater production, so I thought it was a bland show. When I saw it on Broadway, I was amazed in 2000 and 2001. I adored every minute of it.

So . . . Maybe you just haven't seen a strong production yet? have you seen the DVD of Brent Barret and Rachel York in KISS ME, KATE?
Broadway Blog: . . . The Jane Eyre Altercation (a sad but true story)

[thenewmoon]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 1:03pm

I am thinking the Two Types Divide could best be summarized by using a decade-defining show as a litmus test:
Those who think "Wicked" (or Phantom, or Les Miz, etc) is the epitome of a "Great Musical"; and those who recognize it as slick, conservative, populist entertainment. It's like the difference between blockbuster movies and indie flicks.

I happen to like both, for the record.

[Dirty_Rotten_Guy]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 1:09pm

um, i consider myself a "Modern" theatre fan, but dont like any of the shows you considered "Modern" theatre fans to like

as others have said, i am probably on the border line. THE WEDDING SINGER and GREY GARDENS are my two favorite musicals. one is more modern, one is more classic. so, yeah.

[raphael06]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 1:15pm

I guess my taste can't be classified then according to your list then? I like the "girl" shows, Andrew lloyd webber, Sondheim, the "classics", the light-hearted musicals, etc. Having one set taste in entertainment is rather dull.

[misschung]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 3:00pm

I would think Les Mis would be in the other category.

It's hard to say for me - my taste in musicals is like my taste for music in general, which is pretty eclectic. I love big, fun shows but I don't really like cheesy stuff. Sometimes those two characteristics go hand in hand, so its hard for me to choose a category.

I like Les Mis, but I don't like Phantom or Cats.

[Timmer]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 4:43pm

1. Ballad-lovers (the girl): They like WICKED, PHANTOM, LES MIS, MAN OF LA MANCHA, JESUS CHRIST SS, AIDA, and despise old-timey shows like GUYS & DOLLS and THE PRODUCERS.

2. Classic-lovers (me): They like showgirl, kick-line, brassy, old-fashioned musicals. THE MUSIC MAN, GUYS & DOLLS, THE PRODUCERS, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, ANYTHING GOES, 42ND STREET, and hate anything Andrew Lloyd Webber.


Except for hating ALW (whose shows I like), all of this describes me. I loveo the richness and the breadth of the Broadway musical. All the different styles are wonderful -- and all of them have produced their stinkers too.

[istillbelieve24601]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 5:05pm

Les Mis is one of my favorite shows. Obviously, then, I'm a shallow "ballad-lover."

My favorite shows also include My Fair Lady and Guys and Dolls. I'm not obsessed with the Producers, but I do like it. I can't stand Phantom in any form- the musical, the movie and the novel all bores me to tears. I think Wicked is overrated.

This is basically a nasty musical-theatre stereotype. Stereotyping is not right and not fair. It's wrong and always has been wrong. Period. End of discussion.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 5:17pm

me2: I won't give up! I like going to shows regardless, so maybe I'll eventually get to some good productions of the classics.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/6/07 at 5:19pm

Am I a bway legend yet