Will Broadway always be "gay"? — Page 2

You don't like Merman???

Leave this board...

im a straight guy, but i love going to musicals and plays, as much as i love going to sporting events. if its good and entertaining, im gonna go, regardless of stupid sterotypes and generalizations.

I think anyone who cringes at being called gay needs to evaluate their obvious homophobia.

The performers who typically are thought to attract the "stereotypically" gay audience (Merman, Channing, Garland, Fierstien) actually do very little for me most of the time. It has nothing to do with the fact that I'm straight. I appreciate why they are icons (well, I don't quite get Channing), but other than in very certain roles, I don't typically enjoy those performers. This isn't to say that that's 100% true - I like several gay themed musicals (Falsettos is one of my favorite shows) but why shouldn't I? I'm not Siamese and I like The King and I. I'm not French and I love Les Mis. I'm not a cat - well, OK, I digress.

The thing is, most people who categorize musicals as "gay" do so based on these aspects - the things that are KNOWN to be iconic gay figures, and it takes a certain type of person (gay or not) to enjoy them - they are NOT universally appealing. Because of the association in the public mind, though, those artists "go" with gay folks, and in turn are linked to the theater world. Those who decry theater as gay have never seen - or probably even heard of - the majority of what those of us who love theater treasure.

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There will always be gay people working on Broadway. However, it does seem that a gay aestheic has been the dominant one for the last few years. I have a problem when one sensibility takes over an art form.

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Updated On: 1/13/07 at 02:34 PM

Yep!

Maybe it is because us gays are more talented. thats just me though. Cheno told it like it is last night lol.

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I guess I just don't get the argument that Broadway isn't gay.

All right, I have a question then, Bobbybubby. Do you want Broadway to be successful? Unfortunately, there IS a lot of homophobia out there. With the "gay" label attached to Broadway, it DOES drive away people who might otherwise enjoy it. My friend who I wrote about in another post is the perfect example. I would never think of taking away anything from what makes Broadway great, but to appeal to the mass audience, which is needed for success, there HAS to be some idea that just because you like musicals, that doesn't make you gay. Is it right? No, of course not. It's born of idiocy and ignorance. That's how most of America is, though, idiotic and ignorant (hence, back to my original post on this thread about those who like theater again being EDUCATED).

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I'm not saying it can't appeal to other people, or shouldn't try to. I'm just more offended by straight musical theatre lovers taking offense to being called gay.

I seriously doubt there are any straight men on this board who actually get OFFENDED by being called gay. It IS tiring having to constantly tell people that just because you like theater, doesn't mean you ARE gay, but there's a difference between that and being offended by it. Seriously, I could care less what people think I am -- my girlfriend knows I'm not gay - what else really matters to me in that realm?

The only place I DO make sure to bother to correct people is if my students say something about it. They know I love theater, and I've had a couple ask me if that meant I was gay. In that case, yes, I did tell them I'm not and I gave them a little talk about A)tolerance and B)prejudging people.

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i wasnt taking offense. i was just saying that im staight and i love theatre. i have gay friends, i love them the same i would anyone. people are people, regardless of sexual orientation.

Updated On: 1/13/07 at 03:40 PM