Anais Mitchell blames the patriarchy for people wanting perfect rhymes in theatre songs. Seriously. Dec 16
2019, 10:54:17 AM
Disagreeing vehemently with Sean Martin2. I find HADESTOWN one of the truly great and sublime works of musical theater in the last decade, and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face watching it, despite Mitchell’s insistence on choosing false rhymes throughout where perfect rhymes would have made me smile even more.
"The original off-Broadway production was in 1996, right? Wasn't Benjamin Walker a teenager then or am I thinking of someone else?"
Boy, do I apologize for that slip. Just checked my cd and it was Christopher Innvar who played Floyd stunningly. (Also surprised to discover Floyd's brother was played by Jason Danieley and Brian D'Arcy James was in the ensemble.) Funny the tricks your mind plays once you cross 60.
The original Off-way production had a lot going for it. Beautiful score, star-making debut by Benjamin Walker, gorgeous musicianship by the pit band. But it felt like a story that painted itself literally into a corner it could never find its way out of. The progress of Act II went from bleak to bleaker to bleakest, despite the fact that it ends with "How Glory Goes" which is indeed musical theater heaven. I imagine it would be a very tough sell to today's audienc
^ My personal opinion is that those 2 songs are among the least effective in the whole score of SUNDAY, more like random sketches for song ideas that never coalesce into a complete satisfying number. But the shape of the two acts was certainly deeply imbalanced before those songs were added. And the character of Marie barely registered without her solo number.
I think HADESTOWN is one of the most beautiful evenings of musical theater to come around in a long time. But my enjoyment would have been exponentially increased had Mitchell succumbed to the patriarchy and provided us with proper true rhymes to end her lines. I ascribe her refusal to do so more to a lack of professionalism than to any moral paradigm she's fighting. Each time her lines ended in a true rhyme, my heart smiled a little.
"I predict during that six week period, I Feel Pretty and the ballet sequence will be restored."
God, do I hope you're wrong. Our tickets are for December 29, and boy, would I be pissed to see the show without those 2 numbers and then to have them restored in time for the opening.
Decades ago I saw the original production of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at a preview before "Children and Art" and "Lesson #8&q
Theater References in Dec 1
2019, 11:42:57 AM
And “Being Alive” wasn’t the only song from COMPANY performed in MARRIAGE STORY. The 3 ladies (mom and 2 sisters) perform a slightly modified “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” earlier in the film.
I adored the 2 Bway references in KNIVES OUT, though I was among a very small few in the audience who roared with laughter when we heard them. Sondheim appreciation is still a rare thing in the movie theaters here in LA.
Just to prove how divisive this show is, my friends and I found it among the worst nights of theater we ever endured on Broadway. Please understand that folks feel PASSIONATELY about this production, both pro and con.
And no, virtually no show is worth the cost of theater tickets PLUS the plane flights and hotel costs for one lone show. No show is.
I'm happy you guys all think the words "dream Jukebox Musical" inspire such flights of happy fancy. Enjoy!
For me a "dream jukebox musical" is a contradiction in terms; I've seen loads, and I have yet to see one work any better than a cruise ship show. (Okay, the SINGLE exception I actually enjoyed was AMERICAN IDIOT.)
You guys above are definitely helping me out! These shows brought me pure joy/catharsis: 9 musicals and 6 plays. If you're only allowed 10, throw out whichever 5 you want.
Maybe "Fig Leafs" closed so quickly because there's no such word as "Leafs".
Favorite Flop? Nov 21
2019, 10:18:34 PM
^ I’m not convinced of that. It’s a show built around an essentially selfish gangster antihero with no happy romantic ending. The most charismatic guy in the world couldn’t make Legs lovable.
