Revolutionary or safe?

[bestofbroadway]

What would you rather see?

[JakeB]

Are there going to be many more of these threads??

But - revolutionary. Safe means Mamma Mia, Movin Out, We Will Rock You, Tonight's the Night, etc, etc, etc. Revolutionary is far more.. revolutionary.

[bestofbroadway]

What would to classify as a revolutionary musical? I think there are several shows on Broadway that are "safe"...some of which I enjoy. But what is a revolutionary musical?

-The majority of Rodger and Hammerstein musicals
-Sweeney Todd

[racerchiquita76m]

I'd rather see revolutionary. It's just so fabulous when something comes out, and I can say: "Wow, I've never seen anything like that in my life." Safe has its place and can certainly be just as entertaining, but I like when theatre isn't afraid to "stir things up" a bit and take some risks.

[FindingNamo]

Surely you could have loaded the question even more, BoB.

"Never-seen-before or The Same Tired Old Thing That Appeals to People With Taste That Isn't as Refined as BoB's?" perhaps?

[bestofbroadway]

I certainly could have but I didn't...did I?

[FindingNamo]

Ohhhhhh tooooooo-shayyyyyyyyyy!

Let's try a new one:

"Which absolute middle of the road has-been pop artist with tired baby boomer appeal's work should Twyla Tharp choreograph a show around next? Or maybe do you think she should not play it so safe next time?"

[JohnPopa]

Good.

[bestofbroadway]

"Which absolute middle of the road has-been pop artist with tired baby boomer appeal's work should Twyla Tharp choreograph a show around next? Or maybe do you think she should not play it so safe next time?"

That is merely an opinion of yours Namo. Have you ever seen anything on Broadway like Movin' Out? Answer that question. I certainly haven't. I do not consider any of her work "safe." Maybe if you were a little more informed of her other work you would see that. She is a one of the great contemporary choreographers who is constantly crossing boundaries and is not stuck in one genre or style. Her work is electrifying and prominent. She is not afraid to be experimental or commercial. As for Billy Joel only appealing to baby boomers- that's just stupid. There are so many people that relate to his music and you simply don't. I suppose this is all an opinion too...but I think I'll stick with mine.

[FindingNamo]

You know what kind of a bet it is when you pick an artist who is in regular rotation on Classic Adult Contemporary radio to build your show around? A SAFE BET, that's what kind. It's not like Twyla opted to do something revolutionary, like use challenging music like Radiohead. Nope, she picked Billy Joel. Heard hourly on radio stations with "Magic" in their name. And her unique idea would never have seen the light of Chicago without the success of Contact.

Safe safe safe safe safe.

[bestofbroadway]

Did I call it revolutionary? No...but it definetely isn't safe.

[FindingNamo]

Safe as can be.

[bestofbroadway]

Yep that Twyla Tharp is one conventional and safe gal. I mean just look at her choreography...I mean it looks exactly like Susan Stroman's or Jerry Mitchells. I mean talk about conventional choreography...

I Mean what in the world was Ben Brantley talking about when he called it a “A shimmering portrait of an American generation!” And I mean why in the world would you pick Billy Joel music to depict an American generation...what a stupid idea!
-"Even at a time when the Broadway musical keeps stretching into new categories to find new audiences, ``Movin` Out`` fits no pigeonhole."
-"Yet Ms. Tharp`s production has little of the old-style showbiz wit and flourish that Ms. Stroman brought to her delightful trio of danced playlets. Nor does ``Movin` Out`` trade as obviously as ``Mamma Mia!`` does on what might be called the karaoke quotient: the pleasure in listening to familiar feel-good music that makes you want to sing along."
-"Yet Ms. Tharp and her vivid team of dancers unearth the reasons certain clichés keep resonating and, more important, make them gleam as if they had just been minted."

Or when Newsday called it “Boundary-defying virtuosity! A true heart original!” Or Pat Collins calling it “Provacative, dazzling, and sexy!"
-“An electric experience unlike any other Broadway entertainment!”
-“A MASTERPIECE THAT WILL LEAVE YOU GASPING FOR AIR!”! Don’t ask what ‘MOVIN OUT’ is, just find a way to see it. It provides more gut-wrenching lows and more spirit-lifting highs than anything Broadway has seen in years. You are not supposed to feel this much at a mere Broadway show.”
-“THE BOLDEST NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL SINCE RENT!"

I guess you saw a different show...

[FindingNamo]

Wow, now you sound like a shill.

[bestofbroadway]

Thanks! :)

[FindingNamo]

For a show based around the music of the safest M.O.R. artist with the widest appeal to people who enjoy cover bands.

[bestofbroadway]

Hey...whatever you say Namo. Tell Twyla what you think. Next time she wants to choreograph a show about the classic American generation you suggest she use Metallica or Radiohead...or whatever. I'm sure that'll fly.

[JeffG]

Actually. BOB sounds like he has WAY too much time on his hands.

Twyla Tharp is hardly revolutionary if you look at what she's done in Movin Out to many of her past works.

And NAMO - you left out the Karaoke sound-alike part.

But, all that aside. OK. Movin Out's choreography removed from the picture. What do you have?

Hairspray without Mitchell's Choreography, what do you have.

[bestofbroadway]

JeffG- Movin' Out is a dance show. Take away the choreography and you have nothing...duh..

[broadwayguy2]

so that is who bestofbroadway is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twyla got tired of bulldozing around like a deisel dyke serial killer when she has to picj up her awards, so she posts here now as bestofbroadway!

[FindingNamo]

No dyke-baiting, BG. BoB is perfectly capable of hoisting himself by his own petard without that.

Of course Radiohead or Metallica wouldn't fly, and you want to know why, BoB? Because that wouldn't be SAFE.

Let's just call you Safey McSafe-Safe: The Movin Out Safety Shill!

[bestofbroadway]

And let's call you Hairpsray's Happy Little Has-Been Homo

[bestofbroadway]

Broadwayguy2- Oh I wish I were Twyla Tharp. That I could have danced with Barysnikhov...

[FindingNamo]

There's somebody with a similar name to that playing Carrie's boyfriend on Sex & The City. Looks just like my beloved Russian masseur, who assures me that I am very much a Happenin' Homo, thank you very much.

"Next great, new wave, dance craze, anyways, it's still rock and roll to me!"

[Sunfish]

probably depends on if you are gentry or a guerilla. Or on your definition of same.