re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#1If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/5/06 at 9:03pm
What 3 American musicals would you introduce them to, and why?
I won't give any examples as to not pursuade people.
Updated On: 12/5/06 at 09:03 PM
#1re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/5/06 at 9:55pm
Oklahoma: Classic American culture in the Western states with values that are held close to many in our country. Optimistic, easy-to understand, and enjoyable in "Americana" style.
On the Town: Gives an outsider's view at life in NYC, exploration of new area, classic show
Company: Modern classic that is my last choice because it could possibly only be best appreciated by an American exposed to that sort of culture. However, it does show upper-middle class life very accurately today.
Fenchurch
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/16/06
#2re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/5/06 at 10:16pm
Candide - Best music in the genre, bar none
On The Town - for reasons listed above (and above)
LITP - Shows the contrast that the form has taken since then and it's the best contemporary musical out there that keeps with the song/scene form.
"Fenchurch is correct, as usual." - muscle23ftl
Junior
Stand-by Joined: 4/12/06
#3re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:05pm
hmm... it would depend on the person...
if they wanted spectacle: Phantom or Wicked (i know, i know, but you've got to admit, if you want to see a spectacle, in every sense of the word, good or bad, these two fit the bill)
if they wanted something moving and endearing: LITP or Color Purple
if they wanted a classic: Gypsy. enough said.
#4re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:13pm
Show Boat - Classic example of typical American musical
West Side Story - Uses dance to convey plot
The Color Purple - Modern musical that slightly deviates from traditional plot-line
Also all these shows provide commentary for American historical social issues.
#5re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:14pm
A Chorus Line
Gypsy
West Side Story
Possibly Wicked or Phantom just to see what spectacle theater is.
Updated On: 12/5/06 at 11:14 PM
Julian2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/06
#6re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/6/06 at 12:31am
Hello Dolly! - Artful Entertainment
The Phantom of the Opera - Spectical
Sunday In The Park With George or Sweeney Todd - High Art (Sunday would be to show the more Play-like musicals, Sweeney to show that they're not all happy go lucky)
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#7re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/6/06 at 12:56amJust to clear up confusion...I'm talking, if someone who doesn't speak English (this is hypothetical, so don't give me that "but then how would they understand the musical" crap) wanted to know three good musicals and knew nothing of the art form, which ones would you list and why?
COOOOLkid
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/15/05
#8re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/6/06 at 1:08am
CATS - No one gets it, so foreigner wouldn't feel like they're missing out anything.
A Chorus Line - Maybe some of the monologues/lyrics might not be easy to figure out, but it's still amazing.
The Phantom of the Opera - Just 'cuz.
#9re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/6/06 at 1:24am
Wicked
Lion King
Phantom of the Opera
I chose these three because they are visually appealing and if they don't understand the show they will at least have a good time.
alwebber4life2
Swing Joined: 12/2/06
#10re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/6/06 at 2:18am
Starlight Express
Woman in White
Hair
sanda
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/10/04
#12Making sexy time on Broadway
Posted: 12/6/06 at 8:38am
I would try to pick shows that represented a variety of writing and staging styles:
Les Mis
Chicago
The King and I
Oh, and Mr. Borat, in our country it's not considered polite to stand up and answer back to the stage during a performance.
#13Making sexy time on Broadway
Posted: 12/6/06 at 9:16amA Chorus Line wouls absolutely have to be included. Since you specificed American musicals, I'll leave out any British imports. So, I'll go with Gypsy and West Side Story.
superwoman108
Stand-by Joined: 1/5/05
#14Making sexy time on Broadway
Posted: 12/6/06 at 9:43am
I agree with A Chorus Line & Westside Story.
But if we are talking "classic American musical" here, you can't forget about Guys and Dolls.
#15re: If You Had To Introduce A Foreigner To Musical Theatre
Posted: 12/6/06 at 10:18am
If you're trying to get a slice of "Americana" in a musical, try:
Ragtime and Show Boat (both drama)
How To Succeed... and Music Man (both satire)
Hello, Dolly! or Guys and Dolls (both musical comedy)
If you're not looking so much for "Americana" but want to see the best that the genre of the American Musical has to offer, see:
Sweeney Todd
Gypsy
A Chorus Line
If you want to see what's very popular currently in the genre, see:
Wicked
Jersey Boys
Lion King
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#16Cultural learnings of Broadway
Posted: 12/6/06 at 10:20amBorat would absolutely love Mamma Mia. I suppose there's no way to consider that an American musical. If Les Mis has to be excluded for its French/British roots I would substitute Ragtime.
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