Why all the "Passing Strange" Love?- Page 2

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:10am

<< how would you feel if people kept bulldogging ITH saying 'This is horrible, why do people lie this?' It gets tedious after a while...we get it, you don't get the show. Get over it, ladies and gentlemen>>

That basically happens now !!! :))

There are around 50 threads where people have trashed the "ITH" book--- maybe more.

All differing opinions. Thats what makes the world go round !

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:11am

Please, Scaryotypes, don not fall into this trap of bad mouthing other shows! BTW, are any of you posters actually IN show business? (I'm not). If so, I hope that when you get your breaks that you never have to read the awful snarky, ultra negative comments on these Bway boards. It's only entertainment, remember? Let people enjoy what they enjoy! Who cares what others enjoy, even if you think it's a piece of crap...Okay, it's fun, it's contentious, but really......loosen up and SUPPORT BROADWAY!!

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:12am

well first of all people do that!
Secondly, i think that sometimes people genuinely don't understand why it got as much acclaim as it did, and want an explanation by the people who loved it so much, with no intention of bashing the show, just explaining why they believe it was overrated and are questioning it for their own edification while defending their own point of view.

(so i have this friend, who has a drug problem, and... jk)

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:15am

You're right, star. I changed what I wrote previously...even though I didn't mean to badmouth another show. That wasn't my intention.

[Micah McDade]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:20am

blaxx keep going please.
i believe Xanadu and passing strange were equally reviewed the best out of the season.
and at xanadu u have fun!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:22am

Okay, Mealz, I'll go with that....(I think Jaystarr and Benkaye gave excellent commentaries of the show, better than myself)
And, there are pages and pages of PS commentary by various people.
Of course, my mantra is, after many decades of theatre going...Go in with an open mind, don't listen to critics, know what you tend to like., etc. Even though I'm one of PS's biggest fans, it's NOT for everybody.
That being said, I pretty much like everything, even what I consider the "worst" shows, because everything creative is a crapshoot. Even Hal Prince, Sondheim, Mr. Abbott, Gershwin, Fosse, Mr. Belasco, etc. had bombs.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:22am

I don't like these sorts of threads. No one is going to change anyone else's mind, and it rarely, if ever, leads to an intelligent exchange of opinions. Many of us love Passing Strange because we feel it's an audacious, moving, bold, and a wonderful work of art. Many posters and reviewers have explained why time and again. You disagree, then, fine, we're all different and can't agree on all things. There's no "right" or "wrong" here.

And it's ridiculous to assume that anyone who's an ITH fan automatically hates P.S. or vice versa. There are plenty of us who love both shows.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:26am

<< And it's ridiculous to assume that anyone who's an ITH fan automatically hates P.S. or vice versa. There are plenty of us who love both shows.>>

Totally agree--- I loved (3) of the shows (Best Musical Noms)-

"Xanadu", "PS", and "ITH"-- They each move me in a different way, but they are all art, and that is good enough for me !

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:28am

contrary to popular belief i too enjoyed passing strange, i just dont think its what it was hyped up to be but... we are NOT getting into that argument again...

i adore xanadu, and obviously love in the heights

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:30am

chica, the voice of reason.

[blaxx]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:30am

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:32am

You're still the best, BLAXX!!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:39am

Yes! If only this board was a GAP Holiday commercial.

A lot of negativity going around lately, towards every show and every performer. Try not to take it in.

I just realized that "lately" is an understatement. What the hell is up with some people on this board?

I too enjoyed all three shows. They were all great in its own ways.
Updated On: 6/14/08 at 01:39 AM

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 3:18am

It was clearly too deep and real for the OP.

as travtrev4 says.... "Suck It!"

No. It's fine. You just don't get it. I don't get IN THE HEIGHTS (I do enjoy the score). It's all opinions.

But to say the score is bland and mediocre and everything? Wow. That's really ****ing stupid and, as a musician/vocalist, I disagree 100%

it's so underrated and absolutely brilliant.

It's like the rock version of a Sondheim score.

But we'll just keep it at that and agree to disagree.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 4:37am

Why all the love? Because some people were truly affected by the score, story and brilliant acting performances.

It was the best new musical on Broadway I've seen since Caroline, Or Change (which is saying a TON considering how much I loved Grey Gardens)

I'm not quite sure how someone doesnt appreciate the score, but if you werent affected by the score, story and acting then it just didnt hit you the same way it did others.

Why ask why others love it? The only reason I can think of is to express a negative opinion of the show. There are people who love every single show that opens on broadway, its just the way things work.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 4:48am

City of Angels, now THERE'S a show!

[NYCboy2]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 8:21am

holbee -dude, you're a sh*t stirrer! you posted once but never responded back! defend your thoughts, coward!

Too Darn Hot- you're too darn bright!

The Boy Downstairs- very well said!



Updated On: 6/14/08 at 08:21 AM

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 10:01am

I find it interesting that most people that say they don't like the show have similar comments about Stew being self-centered or there really being no narrative, or being confused as to whether the story was real or not.

I find it interesting that everyone thinks Stew is telling his own story. Certainly it's informed by his own experiences (as are many shows by some great writers such as Tony Kushner, William Finn, etc.). However, the only time I can think of in the show when Stew signs "I" is in the beginning when he's introducing himself, and again during "Work the Wound," a brilliant song which blurs the lines between the story and the real people on stage.

Perhaps the reason why people are so sure this is his own story is because it rings so true. The emotions ring true. The characters ring true. And that, to me, is a testament to the writing. I agree with the post above. This is the best show on Broadway since Caroline, or Change. A truly moving, intelligent show that tells a story in a way not seen before. And i'm not talking about the narrative structure as much as I am about the philosophical and emotional observations. It's SAYING SOMETHING that hasn't been said before. And it rang true to this 25 year old white man who's never been to Amsterdam or Berlin.

[NYCboy2]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 10:03am

Great analysis, kidmanboy!

[Holbee]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 10:13am

I don't know what else to say. I was horribly let down by a show I thought I was going to love. It wasn't just the critics, what I'd read about "Passing Strange" thoroughly convinced me it would be totally "my type of show". But then I got to the theatre and found it was completley the Emperor's New Clothes. I even found some of the performances sorta horrible. But I do have to restate my thoughts about the score. I was actually impressed by the lyrics. In a lot of places they were really terrific. Which really surprised me. I thought it would be the music I would love. But so not so.
Now, believe me, I have problems with "In the Heights" book. And was a little mad that they had so much time to fix it between off-B'way and B'way and they really didn't bother. But the score and the heart took me with it. Not so Stew's show.
Look, I have seen medicocrity heralded before. And usually I even understand it. This whole overtly pro "PS" phenomenon has confused and confounded me. But that was okay. Its the Best Tony talk that has lately begun to infuriate me. So I had to post. Sorry if it came off hateful. But I am honestly confused.
And yes, it is my opionion. Only my opinion and reaction to the show. But what is not my opinion. What I believe is fact: "Passing Strange" is about as "real" as televised wrestling.

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 11:14am

I guess I'm a huge fake then.

In the Heights praise confounds me as well. But I don't need to tell everyone they're wrong. They're not wrong. If they like it, they like it. I don't.

I could again turn this into some philosophical post about how having your own taste and not conforming with societal norms is exactly what Passing Strange is about, but I don't think it's worth it at this point.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 11:26am

Beats me.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 11:36am

Holbee wasn't saying anyone is wrong. I don't understand why you think someone stating his or her negative opinion of the show is bashing it. how is it different than you stating your posative opinion. ITS AN OPINION!!

And unless you are claiming to BE passing strange, then the OP wasn't saying that YOU are fake, kidmanboy.

I don't get why you guys are always so defensive. Someone didn't like the show, and is trying to understand the hype, since you guys love it so much try to EXPLAIN what it is about that made it so real for you and so incredible so that people like us can at least understand your point of view, respect it, and respectfully disagree with it, instead of of just associating this show with overhype by overly defensive and over sensative fans.

(btw holbee, i wouldnt say that they didnt BOTHER to change things about in the heights, maybe they were satisfied with the things that you think should have been changed... but that has NOTHING to do with this thread.)

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 12:36pm

"And yes, it is my opionion. Only my opinion and reaction to the show. But what is not my opinion. What I believe is fact: "Passing Strange" is about as "real" as televised wrestling."

I presented what made the show wonderful to me, and then the OP responded with the above statement. It doesn't really sound like he/she's interested in respecting my opinion. They're opinion is fact.

I don't care that someone doesn't like the show. I really don't. I was simply stating why I like it (as the subject of the post asks).

These boards constantly run rampant with people bashing other people's opinions. I don't think I've done any such think. I presented my opinion. I did not say that because you disagree with it you are wrong.

There are no facts when it comes to taste. There is no such thing as a GOOD or BAD show.

[jaso937]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 12:41pm

can we a get a spoiler warning please!!!! I havn't seen the show yet and now a MAJOR part is ruined for me because of your idiocy. THANKS!