Why the competition?
Why the competition?
#0Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 2:50pm
This is a little off-topic, but in a way, it's not. Why is there competition over who is the biggest Brodway geek and things like that? What do people accomplish from putting others down to claim that title?
I got an email yesterday telling me that I wasn't a real Broadway fan because I've only been interested for about 5 years. I think that it doesn't matter how long you've been a fan. The point is that you are a fan and you appreciate the work. Broadway might mean more to some than to others, but it means something to us all. People should be happy that Broadway is getting the recognition it deserves. Your degree of being a fan may differ from someone else's but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. What matters is that the love of Broadway is being shared.
So that's my opinion. What do you guys think about this competition and if it really matters or not?
#1re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 3:21pmIt's ridiculous and people enjoy showing off and they just come across as idiots.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird
#2re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 3:23pm
It has nothing to do with Broadway or theatre. It has to do with human nature. There are baseball fans who criticize other fans for not knowing the starting lineup on opening day, and sci-fi fans who criticize others for not knowing the complete cast list of the first season of Babylon 5.
There area always competitive people in every corner of life.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 6/13/06 at 03:23 PM
#4re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 4:05pm^Agreed.
...What happened next, was stranger still, a woman breathless and afraid, appeared out of the night, completely dressed in white. She had a secret she would tell, of one who had mistreated her. Her face and frightened gaze, my mind cannot erase...But then she ran from view. She looked so much like you...
Danielm
Broadway Star Joined: 3/17/05
#5re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 5:00pmHi alliez92092, whoever sent that to you has real problems. Ignore them. I would welcome you from someone who was loving Broadway from before you were born but I think 5 years means you've already arrived.
Yes, we do need a third vampire musical.--Little Sally, Gypsy of the Year 2005.
#6re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 5:12pmYour right. It feels wrong though that Broadway is a place that tries to teach acceptance and people don't accept that.
icantbelive
Featured Actor Joined: 5/5/06
#7re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 6:56pmI've only been really obsessed with Broadway theatre for 2 years. I love it and i wont go back to not loving it or liking it. There isnt to much more i can say except to just ignore it
#8re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 7:44pm
I would LOVE to know what the person who emailed you that considered a "Broadway fan." Ask them for a year count. Ask them for a number of play count. Ask them for a cast recordings count. I'll be willing to bet you there are dozens of people on here who are more "Broadway fans" than this person is - by a mile. (The point being that anyone who would send such a ridiculous email clearly couldn't be as "real" a "broadway fan" as they think they are).
And I know the grammar in that paragraph sucked - we need to all agree that "they" is a perfectly acceptable gender neutral word until/unless we come up with something better - the "he/she" nonsense and "only use he" garbage doesn't cut it. Sorry for the complete threadjack from the enraged English teaching-BROADWAY FAN.
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
NightLaughs
Leading Actor Joined: 6/26/04
#9re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 7:59pm
I agree, it is ridiculous. Very few of my friends enjoy Broadway like I do, so when I come across another theater fan, I'm always excited to talk shop. However, sometimes times I've found the other person to take a somewhat condescending attitude with me, as if we're in an unspoken competition. Its frusterating, all I want to do is relate to someone who loves theater as much as me.
Its why a lot of my friends mistaken theater fans as snobs, there can be this arrogant wall there that is hard to break down sometimes.
I agree that it exists with many different genres; sports, sci fi, cars, what have you. Its a shame.
If you limit your choices to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise."- Robert Fritz
#10re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 10:19pm
I agree with all of you, I do.
BUT I think we can also agree that someone who jumps up and down and screams and hollers "OH MY GOD!! Wicked!! I love Broadway! It's why I'm born! I've loved it for ages!" and then you ask what they think about Guys and Dolls...and they've never heard about it...isn't really a fan.
Obviously you can't just be inspired by one show and suddenly know all there is to know. It takes a long time to learn other shows and keep up and such. But it IS rather obnixious when people say things that aren't true...because they think that loving musical theatre is something to rub into people's faces. It's not. It's a passion just like anything else.
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
#11re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 10:20pm^There are soooo many people like that, it's sickening. I agree completely.
#12re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 10:26pmI agree about the Wicked fans -- BUT, anyone who jumps up and down about Wicked - and then gets asked about Guys and Dolls - and says "What's that? Tell me more..." - THAT is a Broadway fan.
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
#13re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 10:30pmMost of the time I find that other people I meet *want* to discuss broadway, and usually we click right away. I think getting into competition is just stupid. You should just tell whoever sent you that e-mail to grow up.
#14re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 10:31pm
Yeah! Exactly!
But look now. Even people who aren't into musical theatre have heard about Guys and Dolls. I guess I was kinda exaggerating.
But really. I can't stand people who try to use musical theatre as a way to be individual. I mean, yeah it does make you an individual, but when you press it in people's faces..it tends to be annoying.
Example A: I consider myself a Broadway fan. That's the only music I listen to or care about, I go to a performing arts high school, I read about it, etc etc. But I don't jump in people's faces about it. So this one time in algebra, there was a group of our high school's "theatre crowd" and they were SCREAMING Little Mermaid. Whatever floats your boat, is what I say, so fine...do your scream fest. But then my friend said something funny (not about them, about math...) and I laughed. They thought I was laughing at them. So they come over and yell at me about how I don't appreciate real musical theatre and I'm obviously dimwitted not to appreciate that kind of music.
The fact that they didn't know my dedication is besides the point. You shouldn't do that to people. Defend yourself if you must, but that's just rubbing it in.
Be proud, but don't obnixiously flaunt it is all I beg of you.
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
sanda
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/10/04
#15re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/13/06 at 11:35pmWhy do you take an apparently ridiculous email seriously? I think some people have too much time.
#16re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/14/06 at 12:02amI get the feeling whoever sent that is enjoying this thread.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#17re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/14/06 at 12:54am
First of all, hello alliez, 92092 *waves* 
I am sorry you received that e-mail. Delete and forget it.
I am 31 years old. I can not remember a day that I did not have Broadway in my heart and soul. So I was wearing a red leotard and red dance skirt like Cassie and singing "MEMORY" long before many people on this board or in line with me at shows were born. That doesn't make you or them any less of a fan. I am glad to talk with you, glad you paid money to join me and see a show.
Let's face it: Broadway has been around 100 years give or take and is much bigger than any of us can imagine. So many shows, so many performers... There's room enough for all fans, new and old Going back to that statement then: that person who e-mailed that to you is not a fan, either, by their own reasoning, since they have not been a fan as long as it's been around.
See a show, and chances you'll hear something about another performer or song from another show you think you may enjoy and it will grow. It's contagious.
Doesn't matter how old you are or how long you have been a fan. It's the passion that stirs in your heart and soul when you hear the overature to PHANTOM OF THE OPERA or walk in Times Square.
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
#18re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/14/06 at 2:44pmIt was a myspace message. They don't even know that this site exists.
#19re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/14/06 at 2:51pm
MySpace?!
That's not even an e-mail then.
And...it's MySpace.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#20re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/14/06 at 3:36pm
It's kind of more. Because this guy was friends with my friends.
And I wish I could delete this thread because I feel like what I'm getting is advice, when I just asked a question. And I know I brought that upon myself.
Marguerite Chauvelin
Broadway Star Joined: 7/19/05
#21re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/14/06 at 4:05pm
Allie, I've sent you a PM 
If Percy Blakeney were in Les Mis....
Percy: Sink me! If it isn't Javvurt!
Javert: Zsah-vair, it's pronounced Zsah-vair.
Pecry: But it's spelled J-A-V-E-R-T Javvurt.
Javert: Repeat after me Zsah...Zsah....
Percy: Oh! Zsa-Zsa! Like the Gabor sister! Well I personally have always prefered Eva.
Javert: (Looks for gun)
Percy: Sink me! If it isn't Javvurt!
Javert: Zsah-vair, it's pronounced Zsah-vair.
Pecry: But it's spelled J-A-V-E-R-T Javvurt.
Javert: Repeat after me Zsah...Zsah....
Percy: Oh! Zsa-Zsa! Like the Gabor sister! Well I personally have always prefered Eva.
Javert: (Looks for gun)
#22re: Why the competition?
Posted: 6/14/06 at 5:28pmJeeze, I'm surprised that person hasn't sent me an email. I've been a fan of Broadway for less than a year. However, I've been a fan of theatre my entire life. Ugh. I can't stand people who judge.
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