I think people get too caught up in what a musical is. This is def. a musical. The songs propel the plot forward. But, it's not some big, splashy musical. It's soft. It's quiet. But oh is it gorgeous. Maybe I'm just a sucker, but I was bawling by the time "Answer Me" happened. I just found the search for connection so fresh in these days of online dating apps, etc. I don't know. I fell head over heels for it. I think it's gorgeous. I can see why someone might not like it, but I think it deserves every award this season. Sure, it's not an "original" musical, but it's pretty damn original. A producer would have to be insane to make this a commercial property, but here we are! I hope it wins every award at the Tonys.
poisonivy2 said: "No way. Both Fun Home and DEH packed an emotional wallop the way TBV just didn't."
As Kad mentioned above, The Band's Visit bested Dear Evan Hansen in a few awards where their off-Broadway productions went head-to-head last year, including the Lucille Lortel Awards. [I had originally listed the Obies here, too, but DEH was considered - and won - for the previous season.]
Dancingthrulife2 said: "I feel The Band's Visit has a tad too much comedy in the beginning. I loved it the second time after knowing what to expect, but the comedy part threw me off when I first saw it and didn't warm me up for the emotions that I was so taken by revisiting the show."
Interesting, I had the opposite effect. I think the humor made the characters relatable and humanized them to help the audience really understand and care about them in the beginning, which in turn set up the heart breaking moments throughout the rest of the show and made them more effective from the audiences perspective.
I have to say, I'd be heartbroken if by some chance it didn't win Best Musical. I saw it Tuesday night and have been playing the cast recording on a loop. I just close my eyes on the subway and let the music carry me away. (And yes, I'm a native New Yorker so I know when I can close my eyes on the subway.)
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
I always thought musicals were plays with music. Musicals obviously have their own needs that should be met to be successful and their own unique obstacles with form and execution and storytelling but they are essentially plays told through song and/or dance. I don’t think there needs to be much of a separation between the two except for awards considerations like the Tonys.
joined:8/14/05
joined:
8/14/05
Posted: 5/11/18 at 1:10am