show stoppers (the wrong kind)

Posted: 9/12/08 at 12:03pm

Ok, you've got a show you enjoy, or really love. But there is that one number that you can't stand. It brings the whole show to a stop, and not in a good way. It just doesn't fit, or it's just plain bad, or is an ok song but has nothing really to do with the plot of the show, and you just basically wait till it's over, for the show to begin again.
for me "All I Need is the Girl" is one. It's not a bad song, and it sort of sets up the romance, but I still find myself waiting for it to end...so, any others?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 12:08pm

Sheldon, I've gotta agree on that one. That song...I'm always just waiting for it to be over. Nothing against the dancing or anything...it's (the song itself) just boring to me.

Updated On: 9/12/08 at 12:08 PM

[HometownGlory]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 12:16pm

"More I Cannot Wish You" in Guys and Dolls. What a snoozer.

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 12:24pm

"I am a sentimental man who always longed to be a father..."

Gag.

Posted: 9/12/08 at 12:40pm

wow, that's the other one I was trying to think of. You are so right, Hometown.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 12:42pm

"Inutil" from IN THE HEIGHTS. I just watched Alex conducting during it.
Updated On: 9/12/08 at 12:42 PM

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 12:54pm

I agree with "All I Need is the Girl." It seems like they just said "Okay, it's a musical, we have to have some number where a good-looking young guy flirts with the girl and dances with her."

obsessedjb, I thought "Inutil" was pretty good by the standards of that show, it was "Enough" that really struck me as a disaster in that show as it seemed like it was intended to be some sort of big, character-driven last-straw explosion and it really didn't do anything for the audience.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 12:56pm

"The Last Midnight" from INTO THE WOODS

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:04pm

"Brush up your Shakespeare" is another one for me, from Kiss me Kate. Just feels like they thought they had a cute, lyrically clever song and stuck it in there. But I just find it annoying.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:24pm

During my 7 year fandom of RENT, I have loved every song except "Out Tonight." So shrill, I can't stand it.

[Esparzafan]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:27pm

Tony, I totally agree about "Out Tonight." That's always been my least favorite song in Rent...

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:30pm

"Sing" from A Chorus Line. Nothing like a song about a woman auditioning for a musical who can't sing.

[BNN]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:37pm

For me personally:
Class from Chicago
The Miller's Son from ALNM

It's not I don't like them but I feel they really throw a wrench into the pacing of the show.

Posted: 9/12/08 at 1:38pm

I totally agree about "Sing". It's the one song I skip over if I'm listening to the ACL Soundtrack.

I may get ripped for this, but I've always thought "You are 16 going on 17" was not great. But maybe that's because I have only seen the film version, and I can't stand the actor who plays Rolf.
Updated On: 9/12/08 at 01:38 PM

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 2:07pm

I completely agree with "Sing" from ACL. It's just plain annoying. I also can't stand "Growltiger's Last Stand" from Cats. It's just too much.

[shh282]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 2:11pm

I feel like 'Contact' is out of place in Rent- personally.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 2:25pm

LITTLE LAMB in GYPSY
GROWLTIGER in CATS

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 2:27pm

Roscoe-
Why do you say that about "Last Midnight"?

[She_Had_Refinement]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 3:06pm

Well, I used to feel that way about "All I Need is the Girl", but it's nice to hear a male voice every now and then... not something that happens that often in that show. And I like watching how strictly they've followed Robbins' choreography... and it's just fun. Can't think of a truly horrible show-stopper... I don't like "Pass the Football" from Wonderful Town. Wreck is sort of a throwaway character in the musical, so I just don't see why we need to hear him sing. And there are plenty of good male voices to be heard in that show. In the play, his role in the plot is more important.


That written, a friend of mine who is not into musicals at all, with the exception of Sweeney Todd, feels that "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" is skip-worthy. I disagree. Have always loved a particular verse in that song and feel like the show's incomplete if I haven't heard it. Updated On: 9/12/08 at 03:06 PM

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 3:10pm

'The I Love You Song' from Spelling Bee. I love the show, but that song is too long and bores the hell out of me.

[Eponine3]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 3:29pm

As much as I love Side Show and believe the record and the cast are amazing.. I always skip over that stupid "Song Birds on Display" song that opens the second act.. grrr. I always blame that song as the reason the show failed :) ... They cut "She's Gone" but left that!!!! what were they thinking

[sally1112]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 3:40pm

"The I Love You Song' from Spelling Bee. I love the show, but that song is too long and bores the hell out of me. "

That is my favorite song in the show. I recommended that show to a friend, and she liked all of it but that song! Is it me?

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 3:46pm

No sally1112 it's not just you. I love the song too but I've also met many who hate it. I think it's beautiful and shows a softer/more serious side of the show kind of like "There's a Fine Fine Line" does in Avenue Q.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 3:48pm

I agree with All I need is the girl. I used to feel the same way with little lamb but have since changed my mind since I saw it with Laura Benanti. I would disagree terribly with whoever said The Miller's Son throws the pacing of Night Music.

[bbfan26]

Posted: 9/12/08 at 3:58pm

Love that number....But it can drag along!!