Revolutionary or safe?

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 5:48pm

What would you rather see?

[JakeB]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 5:52pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 5:59pm

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
Updated On: 2/2/04 at 05:59 PM

[racerchiquita76m]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 6:22pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 8:28pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 9:05pm

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

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 9:11pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 9:22pm

Good.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 9:32pm

"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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 9:40pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 9:42pm

Did I call it revolutionary? No...but it definetely isn't safe. Updated On: 2/2/04 at 09:42 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 9:44pm

Safe as can be.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:02pm

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...
Updated On: 2/2/04 at 10:02 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:02pm

Wow, now you sound like a shill.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:04pm

Thanks! :)

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:09pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:11pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:14pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:17pm

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

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:19pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:27pm

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!

Updated On: 2/2/04 at 10:27 PM

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:41pm

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

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:42pm

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

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:49pm

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]

Posted: 2/2/04 at 10:54pm

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