#1
Posted: 4/15/09 at 10:44pm
Glad somebody finally had the nerve to say it.
[title of show] as "self-congratulating artistic masturbation"
#2
Posted: 4/15/09 at 10:45pm
Well, I liked it.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#3
Posted: 4/15/09 at 10:49pm
Who said it?
#4
Posted: 4/15/09 at 10:50pm
Gave me a good chuckle.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
#5
Posted: 4/15/09 at 10:51pm
See my signature.
#6
Posted: 4/15/09 at 10:53pm
Couldn't agree more.
I know you.
I know you.
I know you.
#7
Posted: 4/15/09 at 10:55pm
Couldn't disagree more, but whatever.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
#8
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:12pm
As much as I like [title of show], I very much agree with David Rooney on this one.
My blog- http://okayentertainment.blogspot.com/
#9
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:12pm
I disagree with it, but I can sort of see how someone would think that, what with all the self reference and discussion about what a Broadway show should aspire to and all that. I think the show rises above it and is much more about the questions and challenges you face when being creative and what you aspire to be rather than providing an example of what they think Broadway should look like and high-fiving themselves for it.
But the quote's pretty funny, especially with all the masturbation jokes in the show.
But the quote's pretty funny, especially with all the masturbation jokes in the show.
#10
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:20pm
I liked [tos] well enough, but the comment has hit the nail on the head.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#11
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:21pm
Link, please?
#12
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:27pm
When did Artistic masturbation become a bad thing.
No one get's hurt, pregnant or a disease.
No one get's hurt, pregnant or a disease.
Updated On: 4/15/09 at 11:27 PM
#13
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:28pm
Im a tos fan myself, but its completely true.
#14
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:36pm
I enjoyed tos and think that assessment of it is completely fair and accurate.
I laughed hysterically when I read that line in the review.
I laughed hysterically when I read that line in the review.
when ducks grow thumbs then maybe my opinion will change.
#15
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:41pm
I agree with lull89. I kinda see [tos] being in the same vein as Sunday in the Park with George, but more direct, not using painting as a metaphor for writing musicals, and people hail that show as the masterpiece of the master of the modern musical.
You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
#16
Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:41pm
And to an extent... why shouldn't they be self-congratulating? The show found a lot of success and even ended up on Broadway, and now is finding life in regional productions.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#17
Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:06am
I think I might put on my TOS Cd and enjoy myself as I listen.
#18
Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:18am
I think thats not true at all and only pertains to people who want(ed) it to fail because it wasnt the same run-of-the-mill musical
#19
Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:31am
I would hardly think that anyone would want a "not your average musical" show to not succeed.
What annoys me slightly about [title of show] is this: on one end, it is incredibly pleased with itself (as well it should be), and proud of what it is; and then, on the other end, it is more than desperate for the audience to accept it and like it (even the very last note trails off in a "So what do you think... please like us...?" way). The two ends don't, in this case, mix, and I agree with Linda Winer when she called it a "Like this musical, or we'll shoot this dog"-type of show.
What annoys me slightly about [title of show] is this: on one end, it is incredibly pleased with itself (as well it should be), and proud of what it is; and then, on the other end, it is more than desperate for the audience to accept it and like it (even the very last note trails off in a "So what do you think... please like us...?" way). The two ends don't, in this case, mix, and I agree with Linda Winer when she called it a "Like this musical, or we'll shoot this dog"-type of show.
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#20
Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:31am
I kinda see [tos] being in the same vein as Sunday in the Park with George, but more direct, not using painting as a metaphor for writing musicals, and people hail that show as the masterpiece of the master of the modern musical.
but Sunday in the Park with George is far superior and every level. and it wasn't filled with jokes meant to show how "in the know" its creators were.
but Sunday in the Park with George is far superior and every level. and it wasn't filled with jokes meant to show how "in the know" its creators were.
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
#21
Posted: 4/16/09 at 12:40am
well, duh.
Most musical theatre is "self-congratulatory artistic masturbation".
Most musical theatre is "self-congratulatory artistic masturbation".
#22
Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:27am
I agree. I only listened to the CD once and was totally turned off my its narcissism.
#23
Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:45am
You say that like it's a bad thing...
#24
Posted: 4/16/09 at 1:58am
That is a good critique and they should feel good about it. ![re: [title of show] as 'self-congratulating artistic masturbation'](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/board/icon_smile_big.gif)
#25
Posted: 4/16/09 at 2:09am
I love people who are claiming to be fans of [tos] while in the same breath accepting something that is clearly meant as an insult as "accurate."
To the comment at hand: the dig is unwarranted. I don't feel as though [tos] was self-congratulatory at all. The show wasn't "Hey, we're on Broadway, this is us making the show and now flaunting it! Love us! Love us!" It simply told the story of its creation in an entertaining way that I personally feel was extremely relatable. I don't feel as though they were flaunting some kind of achievement by telling their story.
Perhaps "vanity project" would seem more accurate because they all worked so single-mindedly toward their objective, but again that would be something applicable if they were in a position where they could have easily done something "better" and settled on just being able to tell this story for gratification's sake.
They had an interesting journey which they were able to weave into an engaging narrative. I don't call that "self-congratulatory;" I call that talent.
To the comment at hand: the dig is unwarranted. I don't feel as though [tos] was self-congratulatory at all. The show wasn't "Hey, we're on Broadway, this is us making the show and now flaunting it! Love us! Love us!" It simply told the story of its creation in an entertaining way that I personally feel was extremely relatable. I don't feel as though they were flaunting some kind of achievement by telling their story.
Perhaps "vanity project" would seem more accurate because they all worked so single-mindedly toward their objective, but again that would be something applicable if they were in a position where they could have easily done something "better" and settled on just being able to tell this story for gratification's sake.
They had an interesting journey which they were able to weave into an engaging narrative. I don't call that "self-congratulatory;" I call that talent.
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