We are living a Golden Age in Musicals

[binau]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 5:37pm

I know satisfaction with the execution of these shows may vary. However, it really seems like we are living in a golden age for musicals (new and revival) right now.

10 years ago, could anyone have predicted the events that we have been part of?

* Patti LuPone to deliver a star turn in Gypsy

* To have not one but two new Kander & Ebb musicals, one a controversial but powerful commentary on a major social issue and the other a bizarre but heartfelt companion piece to FOLLIES and SWEENEY TODD, giving Chita Rivera yet another (and potentially last) star turn in a musical

* Three exciting Sondheim revivals:

One with an Academy Award winning star (CZJ) & Angela Lansbury (Night Music), and an interesting (sometimes one-upping, but not always) replacement cast (Bernadette & Stritch - giving us her final Broadway performance).

A lavish (or as lavish as they come these days) prestigious revival of FOLLIES with a full orchestra, and highly effective star and supporting cast

A tasteful revival of Sunday in the Park with a highly effective supporting cast, stand-out lead performance (Jake G) and full orchestra

* Not one but two Pulitzer Prize winning musicals, one a cultural phenomenon that has brought new audiences and more exposure to Broadway than nearly any other musical before it (at least, for a very, very long time)

* A musical that has the guts to satirise deeply held institutions (e.g., religious beliefs) and bring in the one demographic that is often missing from Broadway theatres: young straight males.

* A season (this season) where nearly all musicals are selling well and have their own value-proposition (e.g., A new musical by the Grey Gardens team with LuPone/Ebersole; a musical that seems to companion N2N but oriented more towards social issues than mental health - with a breakthrough performance that might have even one-upped Alice Ripley in a performance that at the time was the one 'for the ages'; a heartfelt musical about people coming together in the face of adversity etc. 

* Glenn Close to reprise her role in Sunset Boulevard with the largest orchestra we have seen on Broadway for who knows how long

* Some interesting revivals that in some ways have improved upon the original productions (e.g., Color Purple; Spring Awakening); have brought us back in time (e.g. South Pacific) or are exciting events (e.g., Hello Dolly)

I know this is by no means a complete list. But we are incredibly lucky.

Updated On: 5/9/17 at 05:37 PM

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 5:40pm

I couldn't agree more! There's always a lot of criticism around here (as there should be), but it is nice to once in a while sit back and be excited by the grandness that is Broadway. 

[newintown]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 5:51pm

I'm not disagreeing, but I am reminded of the immortal words of Sheridan Whiteside: "I may vomit."

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 5:52pm

I also want to add that we have highly successful pop composers like Cyndi Lauper and Sara Bareilles writing successful musicals like Kinky Boots and Waitress. 

[Dave28282]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 5:54pm

I agree, and you don't even mention Miss Saigon is back in full glory, which is one of the best shows ever written in my opinion.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 6:02pm

I was thinking about this today while reading these boards. Looking at this season alone... I can't remember the last time people were so passionate about all four contenders for Best Musical, and there's really no clear frontrunner, which makes it extra exciting. We all have our favorites, but what a world when we're fiercely debating whether this brilliant, innovative show is better than that brilliant, innovative show. (Never mind the incredible revivals this season.) Such a great thing to see! 

[After Eight]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 6:12pm

"It really seems like we are living in a golden age for musicals (new and revival) right now."

 

You've got to be kidding.

You've GOT to be KIDDING!

A Golden Age for musicals --- with no music!

Kindly stop playing these jokes on us.

They're anything but funny.

[JayG 2]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 6:23pm

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 7:13pm

I don't know how you define 'golden age'.  Most of the examples you give are of revivals.  I don't see that as defining a 'golden age'...no matter how well they are done, a period of outstanding revivals doesn't suggest a period of exceptional creativity to me.  On the other hand, it is always great to have memorable productions to see and remember.

 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 7:22pm

I love this thread so much! And I would also add Fun Home into this mix too! Pretty groundbreaking, in terms of a lesbian protagonist, and the first time the Best Original Score and Best Musical Tonys has gone to an all female team!

[jbird5]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 7:35pm

Not just musicals but almost every kind of theater - off and off off Broadway, regional, tours ...

The one exception might be straight plays on Broadway but it's an embarrassment of riches otherwise.

[markypoo]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 7:41pm

No, we are certainly NOT living (in) a Golden Age in Musicals.

Not by my nose hairs.

We certainly WERE forty or so years ago when even the FLOPS were far more interesting, fascinating and notorious than the celebrated "hits" of today.

Amelie posts a closing notice, and it barely merits a "meh."

 

[Chicken_Flavor]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 8:06pm

I get where you are coming from, but I don't think we live in the "Golden Age"...

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 10:09pm

Handsomely produced revivals to not make for a golden age.

[SharksVsJets]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 10:25pm

Golden ages are over-rated.

[Oak2]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 11:50pm

I'd rather we be in a Silver Age of Musicals. When will we have our musicals filled with wacky sound-effects,overly explantory and cheesy dialogue, and over-the-top "plot twists" that are so nonsensical that they loop right around to making perfect sense?

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 5/9/17 at 11:54pm

Dave28282 said: "Miss Saigon is...one of the best shows ever written in my opinion.

 

"

I think you misspelled "most racist shows."

[bwaydreamer]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 1:26am

I fully agree and love this.  I would add that we have two genius young composers who are writing new musicals regularly to semi-regularly who have huge careers still to go in Jason Robert Brown and Adam Guettel.  Light in the Piazza and Bridges of Madison County are two of the most gorgeous scores ever written.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 1:36am

poisonivy2 said: "I also want to add that we have highly successful pop composers like Cyndi Lauper and Sara Bareilles writing successful musicals like Kinky Boots and Waitress. 

 

"

..And are women as well (along with Fun Home from last year) . Waitress especially where the entire creative team - writer, director, composer,...are all female. That's something new as well.

 

[Soaring29]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 2:27am

I prefer the 2000''s and earlier- The 2008 season was amazing with both SP and Gypsy,  along with    the 2007 season with Spring Awakening and Grey Gardens ,  the 2006 season with Sweeney Todd and The Color Purple, 05 with Piazza, 04 with Avenue Q, Wicked(Although it hasn't aged well, it's still iconic),  and the revival of Assassins, Hairspray, ect.  Clearly, I've preferred the shows from the previous decade to this one, but Bridges is certainly amazing, The King And I was stunning, revivals of Anything Goes and Pippin were terrific ,  also On The Twentieth Century  and Violet were  wonderful,  and Fun Home is heartbreaking.  

But I want more legit shows. Obviously, everything is getting more and more overly commercialized and the sound coming out of Broadway is now just pop musical theatre that is not bad music, but  is repetitive, not to disappointing for more operatic singers like me that yearn for the Ragtimes, The Secret Garden's, Passion's ect. We can only hope I guess.  

[newintown]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 7:53am

"I would add that we have two genius young composers who are writing new musicals regularly to semi-regularly who have huge careers still to go in Jason Robert Brown and Adam Guettel."

Adam Guettel writes new musicals regularly? Where are they? I thought that he's only written two in the last 20 years.

[Dave28282]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 8:02am

KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "Dave28282 said: "Miss Saigon is...one of the best shows ever written in my opinion.

 

"

I think you misspelled "most racist shows."

 

"

Is the show racist because you can't handle history? Or because white americans are portrayed as confused mixed-up victims and Kim as a strong, smart, determined and very lovable heroine?

 

 

[newintown]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 8:08am

Must we repeat the same conversations over and over and over and over?

 

 

I suppose we must - it appears to be an unwritten rule.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 8:36am

newintown said: "Must we repeat the same conversations over and over and over and over? 

I suppose we must - it appears to be an unwritten rule."

There are, of course, new voices and/or ears in the conversation, but your point remains. I'd look at it more broadly in relation to this thread and say that (as demonstrated) "golden age" is just another euphemism for what someone likes personally. One person's golden age (e.g., the OP) is another person's hell. And that's even discounting to zero the droppings of the resident posturing troll. 

[newintown]

Posted: 5/10/17 at 8:50am

You misunderstand, Hogan - I was referring to Dave28282 repeated claim that Miss Saigon represents the height of sensitivity to Vietnamese issues.