#26
Posted: 6/9/11 at 10:56pm
Billy Elliot, Memphis, Spring Awakening
Worst musical to win best musical? — Page 2
#27
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:01pm
Billy Elliot...worst EVER? I actually enjoyed it well enough and can see where people think it's way over-hyped/cheesy/touristy (it is all of those things), but there are moments of brilliance in it. I wonder if you who say BE say it because of a grudge against it for beating N2N?
For worst that I've personally seen in its original Broadway run, I'll say Jersey Boys (ugh).
For worst that I've seen in other productions. 1776. I cannot stand anything about that musical.
For worst that I've personally seen in its original Broadway run, I'll say Jersey Boys (ugh).
For worst that I've seen in other productions. 1776. I cannot stand anything about that musical.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
#28
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:07pm
For worst that I've seen in other productions. 1776. I cannot stand anything about that musical.
I'm sorry you have such terrible taste.
I'm sorry you have such terrible taste.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#29
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:07pm
I mean I loved Fosse, and would love to see Jerome Robbins' Broadway as well, but it seems unfair (yes I know this topic has been beaten to death) to put them up against a book show.
I know, Starmites was absolutely robbed!
Dare I mention Cats?
I know, Starmites was absolutely robbed!
Dare I mention Cats?
#31
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:09pm
"I'm sorry you have such terrible taste."
And I'm sorry we have different opinions. Awful, I know.
And I'm sorry we have different opinions. Awful, I know.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
#32
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:19pm
I'm sure it's not the worst ever to win, but I really, really dislike The Lion King musical.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
#33
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:26pm
I don't like The Wiz and Annie but nothing else was good that year.
Updated On: 6/9/11 at 11:26 PM
#34
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:40pm
Memphis
"I've never encountered such religiously, you know, loyal fans as Broadway musical theater fans. It's amazing."
--Allison Janney
#35
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:45pm
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA It really wasn't much of a show and has had almost no after life. It won over A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#36
Posted: 6/9/11 at 11:47pm
Two Gentlemen of Verona won over Follies, Dolly. A Little Night Music won the following year.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#38
Posted: 6/10/11 at 12:01am
For me it is a tie between Spamalot & Cats.
http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com
#39
Posted: 6/10/11 at 12:03am
I'm pretty sure it won both years.
One gentleman for each ceremony?
One gentleman for each ceremony?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#40
Posted: 6/10/11 at 12:07am
Well, they wanted to be fair to both men.
#41
Posted: 6/10/11 at 12:07am
So do we just ignore the awful Herbert Hoover song from Annie and pretend it's an amazing show from start to finish? There are fantastic moments in that show and the music is mostly good, but I've yet to see a production that makes me think it's a particularly great show. It's cute and fun and crowd pleasing, but I think it has to be one of the worst Best Musical winners. Not that Annie had much competition that year: a Brecht/Weill stinker that even bombed in its original language, a Sondheim review, and a Coleman/Stewart sex satire.
Memphis to me is just kind of bland. It lucked out in being a middle of the road show opening against three far more polarizing jukebox musicals. The only show I could have seen beating it was Everyday Rapture and that didn't get nominated for Best Musical. Then again, I swore that Passing Strange was going to beat In the Heights, so what do I know? I'm drawn to the stranger shows and make it no secret.
Memphis to me is just kind of bland. It lucked out in being a middle of the road show opening against three far more polarizing jukebox musicals. The only show I could have seen beating it was Everyday Rapture and that didn't get nominated for Best Musical. Then again, I swore that Passing Strange was going to beat In the Heights, so what do I know? I'm drawn to the stranger shows and make it no secret.
#42
Posted: 6/10/11 at 12:09am
For me: Cats, Thoroughly Modern Millie & Applause.
#43
Posted: 6/10/11 at 12:29am
Passion. Absolutely torture, all 25 versions of it through previews & the frozen version was no better.
#44
Posted: 6/10/11 at 1:03am
You leave Passion alone *angry face*. Although I do suspect one reason it won over Beauty and the Beast was a sort of backlash or message to Disney. But I was thrilled one of myf ave musicals won. (Similar to how I'm sure Will Rogers Follies--a beautifully staged show with virtually no libretto, and Cy Coleman's most mediocre score since the early 60s--won over Miss Saigon just because voters were so pleased ot have a hit that they could vote up against a British megamusical import).
Applause is beyond mediocre, but I do get why it won over Purlie and Coco and I think Ron Fields' direction and choreography were definitely deserving (it's a shame his career never really took off).
Annie really was a show that kinda came around right at the right time--when audiences were ready for an optimistic piece like it. I tyhink it's a good show, and I loved it as a (small) kid, but I'd never call it a great show, but I kinda get why it became something of a phenomenon, and like you said, it was up against a weak season (although I Love My Wife was well reviewed and did well--even if it's been almost completely forgotten).
It's always interesting to look, that *most* years there really weren't three let alone four great shows, or even shows that are still often done. It puts complaints about recent seasons in a different perspective. 1969 though is a season that always irks me--I know 1776 was the underdog, and many love the show (maybe I have to be American...) but I would have rathered Promises Promises, Zorba, or Hair had won.
Applause is beyond mediocre, but I do get why it won over Purlie and Coco and I think Ron Fields' direction and choreography were definitely deserving (it's a shame his career never really took off).
Annie really was a show that kinda came around right at the right time--when audiences were ready for an optimistic piece like it. I tyhink it's a good show, and I loved it as a (small) kid, but I'd never call it a great show, but I kinda get why it became something of a phenomenon, and like you said, it was up against a weak season (although I Love My Wife was well reviewed and did well--even if it's been almost completely forgotten).
It's always interesting to look, that *most* years there really weren't three let alone four great shows, or even shows that are still often done. It puts complaints about recent seasons in a different perspective. 1969 though is a season that always irks me--I know 1776 was the underdog, and many love the show (maybe I have to be American...) but I would have rathered Promises Promises, Zorba, or Hair had won.
Updated On: 6/10/11 at 01:03 AM
#45
Posted: 6/10/11 at 1:07am
I can't believe it took so long to mention Cats. Definitely that for me, and Memphis, and I'll also throw in Jersey Boys and Titanic for good measure. Cats is the worst offense of all time to me, and it'd take a lot more than something like Memphis to top it.
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim
#46
Posted: 6/10/11 at 1:25am
CATS was just a triumph of staging - style over substance if you prefer. Same with the excrescent SUNSET BLVD - a great source ruined by lazy indifferent author/producer.
While I agree APPLAUSE is hardly a milestone, its strength comes from the original screenplay/story and much of the score I find enjoyable.
While I agree APPLAUSE is hardly a milestone, its strength comes from the original screenplay/story and much of the score I find enjoyable.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
#47
Posted: 6/10/11 at 1:31am
If I limit myself to the seasons I've seen all nominated shows on Broadway, I'd have to say Contact and Billy Elliot (Wild Party and Next to Normal 4 lyfe dawg).
Otherwise: La Cage Aux Folles. Yeah, I said it.
Otherwise: La Cage Aux Folles. Yeah, I said it.
#49
Posted: 6/10/11 at 1:34am
Cats and Phantom. I especially abhor Phantom. I like it up to "Music of the Night", and I just wanna strangle myself after.
I still wish Urinetown won over Millie, but I still enjoyed Millie a lot.
As for Memphis, I didn't really like any of the musicals last year, so I was apathetic about that.
Sunset Boulevard lucked out because of no competition. But I hated that show as well.
And then Two Gentlemen of Verona.
I still wish Urinetown won over Millie, but I still enjoyed Millie a lot.
As for Memphis, I didn't really like any of the musicals last year, so I was apathetic about that.
Sunset Boulevard lucked out because of no competition. But I hated that show as well.
And then Two Gentlemen of Verona.
I like your imperturbable perspicacity.
#50
Posted: 6/10/11 at 1:36am
Titanic was a collossal bore and beat on The Life which was
fascinating on so many levels. I could not wait for the ship to sink and I would never go see a revival of that if anyone would want to
In the Heights was like a really bad after school special. I found myself counting the height of the set (which was an impressive height) to keep from falling asleep.
Let see 10 minutes into in the Heights "Grandma please don't forget to take your heart medication." I said to my companion... she'll be dead by act two. And then 2 hours if they were going to have the money to send Consuela to college and if they would okay her african american boyfriend. This was an after school special that also put me to sleep.
fascinating on so many levels. I could not wait for the ship to sink and I would never go see a revival of that if anyone would want to
In the Heights was like a really bad after school special. I found myself counting the height of the set (which was an impressive height) to keep from falling asleep.
Let see 10 minutes into in the Heights "Grandma please don't forget to take your heart medication." I said to my companion... she'll be dead by act two. And then 2 hours if they were going to have the money to send Consuela to college and if they would okay her african american boyfriend. This was an after school special that also put me to sleep.
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