BROADWAY SECRETS: Wherein we confess our controversial opinions- Page 21

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 8/11/15 at 8:03pm

Although talented, I wish Neil Patrick Harris would go away.

I wish Disney would stick to making movies.

Kinky Boots is overrated.  I remember wishing Stark Sands would stop singing.

Spamalot bored me and  I wish Jekyll & Hyde revival would have lasted longer.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 8/12/15 at 2:18am

"Stephen Schwartz's work on film soundtracks blows away his Broadway scores. (That's NOT to say I am not a fan of his musical theatre work, but I do think his film lyrics border on the brilliant.)"

 

I agree with this in that I think most of work after the 1970's has been pretty mediocre, but I think his lyrics to scores by Alan Menken are much better than most of what he writes for his own music; compare the lyrics of Just Around the Riverbend with Defying Gravity. One is subtle and beautiful and the other is obvious and literal (and not in a good way).

[IvyLynn]

Posted: 8/12/15 at 11:15am

I'm certain this has to have been said in this thread already but:

Rosario Dawson was FAR superior in the role of Mimi than Daphne Ruben Vega. Acting wise, Rosario just nailed the rough around the edges vulnerability, and singing-wise, well, just listen to the two respective recordings (OBCR and film) and wait to see which one makes you cringe. DRV's part on "Another Day" is atrocious. 

[Balthazar Chasen]

Posted: 8/13/15 at 11:08am

The THREE musicals I had the album & sheet music to while growing up in the 1970s were A CHORUS LINE, PIPPIN, & STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW.  I played these over & over. 

That said, once I finally saw it I thought the second half of PIPPIN was, well,...weird.  If someone could puh-leeze explain its ending, I'd much appreciate it. 

I guess my other opinion is I LUV Cinderella wins @ The Tonys, especially in the Featured Actor/Actress (Musical) categories.  Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian Hoff,....

 

 

[CatastrophicDay]

Posted: 8/17/15 at 9:44am

I finally saw Hedwig (with Taye) and thought it was entirely mediocre.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 8/17/15 at 11:14am

^That's because you saw it with Taye.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 8/30/15 at 8:45am

Taye Diggs is my favorite Hedwig.

I can't stand Lin Manuel Miranda.

Something Rotten was the best musical of this past season.

I don't think Kelli O'Hara should have won the Tony Award this year.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 8/30/15 at 10:45am

^ Disagree with everything but your last statement: Kristin Chenoweth should have won the Tony this year, since Kelly O'Hara should have won it LAST year for BRIDGES! Frankly most of The King and I's Tonys should have gone elsewhere: AAIP should have won best costumes, On The Town should have won best revival. (AAIP should also have won best Director and best Musical.)

Yeah, I was pretty grumpy come the end of Tonys night.

[DigificWriter]

Posted: 8/30/15 at 11:25am

I posted earlier in the thread about not being impressed with the score for Wicked, but have since given it a second chance and have had my opinion softened/shifted a bit. I could still do without some of the more well-known songs, but stuff like No One Mourns the Wicked, The Wizard and I, I'm Not That Girl, and For Good do make the music more worth listening to than I'd thought previously.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 8/30/15 at 4:00pm

I think we should impose a moratorium on productions of Into The Woods.

[Showface]

Posted: 8/30/15 at 4:33pm

There needs to be more musical theatre songs for bass/baritones

Updated On: 8/30/15 at 04:33 PM

[Ranger Tom]

Posted: 8/30/15 at 4:51pm

Charley Kringas Inc said: "I think we should impose a moratorium on productions of Into The Woods.

Yes - especially Into the Woods Jr.

 

"

 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 12:54am

I want to see Jackie Hoffman in everything.

I was so looking forward to On TheTown but found it boring and lacking in energy - and bolted during intermission

Would love to see Neil Simon get a chance to have something new produced - there must be a fantastic play locked in one of his drawers

I loved Finnian's Rainbow

I loved Xanadu

I love pretty much anything that MTC does

Joe Mantello is a genius

Kerry Butler is one of the most talented people ever on Broadway

Was super bored by Porgy & Bess revival

Loved Waitress

Wish Donmar Warehouse produced more shows in the US

Wanted to love It's Only A Play but didnt

Can't wait to see Noises Off

Even more excited for Seth Rudesky's musical Disaster

[Shaun7]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 1:21am

I have three: 

1. As much as I love Idina, she scares me everytime she sings live. 

2. I loved Finding Neverland and think it deserved ATLEAST a Tony Nomination

3. Kristen Chenoweth annoys me so much. God bless her soul though because she can reach some ungodly notes

Updated On: 8/31/15 at 01:21 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 4:08am

Or three. ??

[actorsnonactors]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 12:50pm

I think that Spring Awakening is one of the worst musicals ever written, Duncan Shiek had no idea what to do music-wise, and the songs are forced...as though they're just drawn from a hat, IMHO.

[acekatherineplumber2]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 2:08pm

I 100% agree with you about Spring Awakening, actorsnonactors.

[Crateful]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 11:31pm

I hate The King and I.

[MVintheheartland]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 7:52am

Also agree about "Spring Awakening". And it was depressing.

[Hellob]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 11:47am

Falsettos was awful in 92 & does not need a revival. I don't ever need to see another show about people realizing they're gay or the like. Over it.

Lion King/Les Miz are overrated but they are the safest and least painful choices for taking basic, out of town friends/family to see. I'd include Jersey Boys if swearing isn't minded.

All Guys and Dolls revivals should be required to cast Faith/Nathan until they pass away.

Sadly, the death of KJB made Saturday's matinee the BEST performance of LM I've ever seen. I took my cousin from Oregon, who came bc she's a RK fan. The whole time, I kept thinking "this is so intense". I figured it was bc RK was leaving the next day.

I predict a big Hamilton backlash in 6-9 months. Once the buzz wears down, the flaws will be more visible. It's akin to meeting a great guy who gets you swept up in a whirlwind but eventually you see the light.

I don't like any of LMM's female characters in both shows. He is great at writing male parts, though.

If you are tall/heavy, buy an aisle seat. Someone at Hamilton tried guilting me into giving my aisle seat to a member of their group who was uncomfortable in their seat. Ain't gonna happen, no, it ain't gonna happen.

I don't think there's anything wrong with stage dooring. I've only done it 3x in 25 years but I don't think it's classless if it's done bc the work moved you. I think sd'ing just bc it's James Franco is a bit more gray, but to each their own.

The fact that Idina is a household name and Savion Glover isn't depresses me. 

I don't care for middle and adult Alison. Joan looks just like Gabby from Luscious Jackson.  

Updated On: 9/1/15 at 11:47 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 11:48am

No one realizes they're gay in Falsettos.

[Hellob]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 11:53am

Kad said: "No one realizes they're gay in Falsettos. "

I know. That's why I said "and the like". I should have been clearer. Sorry. I'm just over it. 

[Hellob]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 12:29pm

I forgot to add that I'd love for theaters to have a New Yorker/seasoned theater goer section so I don't feel pressured to stand after crap shows. It'd also be great to sell tomatoes to us. I'd given anything to pelt the entire cast of Realistic Joneses square in the face, though I would lob softly at Marisa! 

[SuperSecretBoyband]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 5:35am

To me Anna is the most boring character in The King and I, even when she's played very well. I much prefer the subplot of Lun Tha and Tuptim and it pisses me off how we don't get a proper onstage resolution to it.

[xoffender45]

Posted: 9/3/15 at 6:19am

I walked out of Hamilton at intermission. Making it only the second show I've ever left. 

 

The first? In The Heights. Fool me once, Lin Manuel...