How would you define "fake butchness?" Isn't all butchness inherently "fake" or performative? I see it as the heterosexual male equivalent of gay "campiness" or "queerness," the partially-to-completely-affected, performative indication of sexual affiliation and availability. A mating dance of sorts, as Hair's "Margaret Mead" might say.
I see what you mean, and I could have used a better word perhaps. I do think there is a genuine masculinity, but that Dogfight went over the top in attempting to write masculine characters, creating stereotypical, two-dimensional "bros" instead. These kind of characters do exist in real life, yes, but who really is interested in spending any time with them?
The "bro culture" is the one trope that you rarely ever see deconstructed- people just seem to accept that bros exist and are kind of the dregs, so we don't look at who they really are and why they are that way.
It's odd that the only musical I've ever seen that even touches on that too much, albeit ironically, is the stage version of High School Musical 1, which deals more playfully and tongue in cheek with the same issue of fitting in and "sticking to the status quo" as the film, but intentionally plays up the idea of "you have to BE your own stereotype."
I see it as the heterosexual male equivalent of gay "campiness" or "queerness," the partially-to-completely-affected, performative indication of sexual affiliation and availability
Having now met a 14 year old male who is very 'camp' in terms of vocal quality, wrist movement etc.. - but is not 'out' (I met them in a professional context so I don't know if they even identify as gay)- and is ridiculed by his peers. I don't necessarily think 'campiness' or 'queerness' is 'fake' conscious choice. It can be part of someone's 'personality', I feel. (I have also seen the opposite, people who adopt 'campy' mannerisms after being exposed to gay culture etc., suggesting IMO it can also be consciously adopted).
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
"Most personas are adopted. No one is born a "gangsta" white boy rapper"
Yes, but I think we have to draw a line between people who consciously exaggerate their masculinity or femininity ('fakes') and people who just act the way they are after years of socialisation etc.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000