Broadway’s “Memphis” 10 Years Later...- Page 3

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 10/21/19 at 10:37pm

I’d argue that American Idiot was exciting, original and new in a way that Memphis never could be. 
 

I would agree with you.

 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 6:32am

I would agree American Idiot was more innovative than this show, man I wish I was lucky enough to see that on Broadway

[Kad]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 1:37pm

ModernMillie3 said: "It won because it was the Best Musical. It's in the record books, they got to put it on their marquee, they got the most distinguished theater award one can receive and it recouped. Unlike the vapid American IDIOT."

Yeah! It's in the record books for having won the most distinguished theater award one can receive, unlike garbage shows like WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, MAME, SWEET CHARITY, HAIR, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS, WICKED, CAROLINE OR CHANGE...

[AADA81]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 2:10pm

That was definitely a weak year for BW musicals.  I thought 'Memphis' was nothing special and won the award for lack of strong competition.

[Dublin2]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 2:20pm

Kad said: "ModernMillie3 said: "It won because it was the Best Musical. It's in the record books, they got to put it on their marquee, they got the most distinguished theater award one can receive and it recouped. Unlike the vapid American IDIOT."

Yeah! It's in the record books for having won the most distinguished theater award one can receive, unlike garbage shows like WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, MAME, SWEET CHARITY, HAIR, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS, WICKED, CAROLINE OR CHANGE..."

Seems correct. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 4:07pm

Dublin2 said: "Kad said: "ModernMillie3 said: "It won because it was the Best Musical. It's in the record books, they got to put it on their marquee, they got the most distinguished theater award one can receive and it recouped. Unlike the vapid American IDIOT."

Yeah! It's in the record books for having won the most distinguished theater award one can receive, unlike garbage shows like WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, MAME, SWEET CHARITY, HAIR, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS, WICKED, CAROLINE OR CHANGE..."

Seems correct."

Don’t forget Follies, She Loves Me (I can’t remember if it was even nominated), Chicago, Funny Girl, Mame, Hair, Wicked, Miss Saigon.  Even if you don’t like every one, they were / are still monster hits and / or classics.  Sure there are others...these are off the top of my head after seeing the above list.

Updated On: 10/22/19 at 04:07 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 5:04pm

The reality is that only one show can win Best Musical a season (except for 1960, when there was an unprecedented tie).

So ''West Side Story'' lost to ''The Music Man.'' ''Gypsy'' lost to ''The Sound of Music'' and ''Fiorello.'' ''Mame'' and ''Sweet Charity'' lost to ''Man of La Mancha.'' ''Hair'' lost to ''1776.'' Etc., etc. Taste is so subjective; sometimes, you'll agree with the winner for Best Musical. Sometimes, you won't. Some seasons can be more competitive than others, but that's showbiz and luck. Winning in any season, or just getting to Broadway, is an accomplishment.

Updated On: 10/22/19 at 05:04 PM

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 8:26pm

I saw all of the new musicals that opened that year except for Million Dollar Quartet, and Memphis was the one that pissed me off the most. It is startlingly lazy and mediocre and it takes zero risks; even the closing number being cited by many here as a highlight is a blatant rip-off of "You Can't Stop The Beat." Especially in hindsight, I think that both American Idiot and Fela! hold up significantly better. Both were interesting and experimental, and I'd rather a show be that any day than what Memphis was. I listen to the American Idiot cast album all the time and it's truly wild that Tom Kitt wasn't even nominated for his orchestrations. 

[NOLAguy]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 9:03pm

May be because it was the first show I saw ON broadway but I really like Memphis. But I saw American Idiot as well and do think AI was a stronger more emotional show and should have won at least over Memphis

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 10/22/19 at 9:33pm

Yeah! It's in the record books for having won the most distinguished theater award one can receive, unlike garbage shows like WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, MAME, SWEET CHARITY, HAIR, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS, WICKED, CAROLINE OR CHANGE..."

Anyways, Memphis won a Tony. For some reason, that burns you. And every single time there is a thread about this great show, you always give us the same exact opinion. We get it, ya didn't like the show. No need to keep repeating it every few years, thanks.

Oh, and most of those shows are garbage, especially when you are YELLING them. 

[Kad]

Posted: 10/23/19 at 1:04pm

Using all caps to denote a show title is common on this board and if you are hearing it as yelling then you should go to a doctor immediately. 

And how is repeating one's negative opinion on a show any different than repeating one's positive opinion?  (I'm not even sure I've shared much in the way of my opinions on this particular show much). 

Updated On: 10/23/19 at 01:04 PM

[Roscoe]

Posted: 10/23/19 at 1:48pm

Someone referred to MEMPHIS as being the kind of a show where a white guy walks into a black club and impresses everybody with how cool he is, and yeah.  I remember the character of a young man who was traumatized into perpetual silence by the sight of his father being lynched, and how clear it was that he would regain the power of speech at some climactic moment, and then later after that happened how clear it was that at some point somebody would tell him how they liked him better when he wasn't talking.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/23/19 at 6:37pm

Roscoe said: "Someone referred to MEMPHIS as being the kind of a show where a white guy walks into a black club and impresses everybody with how cool he is, and yeah. I remember the character of a young man who was traumatized into perpetual silence by the sight of his father being lynched, and how clear it was that he would regain the power of speech at some climactic moment, and then later after that happened how clear it was that at some point somebody would tell him how they liked him better when he wasn't talking."

That’s over my head. What show is that?