Are musicals fun?

Posted: 1/2/04 at 11:21pm

There was a time when Broadway musicals were fun. They didn't try to be art but perhaps because they didn't try a few of them came to define the genre by virtue of the qualities their creators.

At what point did musicals stopped being fun and what do you believe contributed to this change in tone? Was there a particular moment in time? A particular show? A particular creative element? Or was it a subtle shift?

This sounds like an essay question but it's not. I'd like to hear your thoughts on when this might happenend and what may have caused it.

Yours for a better Broadway!

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 12:04am

Perhaps its because I'm still young and I haven't had a rich experience of many Broadway plays under my belt, but I think Broadway shows are a lot of fun. I don't think they've stopped being fun.

In fact, I think new concepts like Avenue Q are really starting to make musicals more interesting and funny, and steering away from the traditional musical.

I know that after I've seen a show with a friend or whoever, I can't stop talking about the show and everything I loved about it and how great so and so was. But like I said, I'm still a teenager as well as an aspiring actor, so I love almost everything about the art of theatre.

I can't think of a show I didn't have fun at, besides a poorly directed "Kiss Me Kate" in a community theatre. Oh, and a High School production of Annie (with a 6 foot tall Annie). Those are simply productions, though, and not the show material themselves.

Do you feel that they aren't fun anymore, Broadway Bulldog? What shows in particular do you feel are taking away the fun of musicals on Broadway?

Posted: 1/3/04 at 12:10am

Good to hear your thoughts Joizey.

In my opinion a recent crop of musicals have started to stick their toes in the waters of fun. This was a result of the phenonenom known as THE PRODUCERS. Even so fun original musicals aren't exactly an epidemic on Broadway, or off- for that matter.

Why is that?

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 12:13am

There are some good shows on Broadway right now, but I think Avenue Q is definitely one that is "fun". I've yet to see it (I have tickets for Feb. 4th), but based on the cast recording I find it very fun and exciting. Have you seen or heard Avenue Q yet, Broadway Bulldog? I think that's a good example of at least on 'fun' show on Broadway. But I see what you are saying.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 12:14am

Because fun has been done. Why stick to the past...move on.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 12:15am

Hmm true, I was under the impression that it was basically all comedies or revivals that have opened on Broadway lately but maybe I'm wrong. What was the last successful non-comedy, non-revival,successful musical on Broadway? Just wondering. Overall, I would just like to see a mix of more original shows. fun ones, more serious ones, serious ones that can be fun, fun ones that can be serious. I am a big fan of originality overall. I need to get the Avenue Q cd! (That "true" was not in reference to BOB's post, it was to broadway bulldog's. I don't want to be shot.)

Updated On: 1/3/04 at 12:15 AM

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 12:46am

The day Cats opened that fateful day and Andrew Lloyd Webber reared his ugly head. Disney continued the Brit-Tradition.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 1:00am

I am seriously frightened about Broadway's future. Musicals like "Aida, Hairspray, Wicked, Avenue Q, RENT, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and The Producers" are all popular and usually draw in the tourists (which is great, Musical Theater should be fun at times and such musicals draw in the younger generation) but there's nothing to balance that out. There needs to be more Sondheim, Finn, Brown, Yeston musicals that make you think, that make you come out of the theater learning something, that can change your life and see things in another perspective. The "Into the Woods" revival had a shorter run than expected. "Bounce" flopped. "The Producers, coming soon: Wicked, Hairspray, and Mamma Mia" are all on tour so now non-theater people are getting the impression that these shows define the term "musical".

Updated On: 1/3/04 at 01:00 AM

[Cadriel]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 1:15am

The musical is struggling desperately for an identity. Sondheim finalized the Rodgers & Hammerstein model, marked it fully explored. The concept musical, a tough sell, merged with the pop/rock influenced shows to become the British megamusical - a form that just could not produce more than a handful of shows. Disney has taken up the megamusical torch handily.

The thing is, we're not in a period where anything fun can be recognized as art, and I think the only people looking to do anything substantial nowadays want to be creating art. So, much of the serious work is being done outside of the spirit of having fun. The musical, I think, cannot find a functional new identity by returning to the zeitgeist of sixty years ago. We live in a complex time, more now than ever, and the musical has to figure out how to respond to it. I think it will, in time.

-Wayne

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 1:26am

I actually sometimes find it difficult to really enjoy - on any level - musicals that try too hard to make you think. If something screams to me "I'm a serious musical, take me seriously!" I'm going to get bored very quickly and not really want to make the effort to appreciate the art involved because it's so self involved.
Nine was terrific. Gorgeously written, had a very engaging story, good pacing, and enough touches of comedy that didn't have a cloud looming over it's punchline to give the show a bit of a lift from the overall tone. That, to me, is a great musical.
I think "Millie" (which I just got home from) is great fun. Same to "The Producers" and "Avenue Q". Although they're different kinds of fun, they're all fun. Millie is lighthearted fluffy fun with some great over the top moments in addition to smartly done, more simple scenes/songs. Producers and Q are an entirely different kind of humour but are both engaging and while they'll make you think more than Millie will (well, Q does....), the intelligence of the piece doesn't overshadow the piece itself.
I think I'd best define a truly fun show depending on whether or not I'd need to be in the mood to see it. If it's pure, fluffy fun, I need to be in the mood for it. If it's too serious, I need to *really* be in the mood for it. But if it's smart and fun, it doesn't matter how I feel when I walk in. I think Q and Urinetown, in particular, are so great because they';ve got things that a broader range of people can appreciate. Pretty much something for everyone, IMO.
There endeth my thought train.

[Dude]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 3:45am

if anything, broadway is currently all about "fun".

hairspray..producers...full monty....avenue q....never gonna dance.....

all are about fun and happy times.

we had a serious period in the late 80's and early 90's ...les miz...phantom...siagon....falsettoes...blood brother....jelly's last jam....

it all changes with time. serious broadway will come back.

Posted: 1/3/04 at 8:49am

Chasing...an observant point that a musical play performed with puppets-with-a-heart a la Sesame Street can be more thought provoking than the "we're alive and aren't we cute" humans behind the puppet show known as THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE.

Bulldog

[alterego]

Posted: 1/3/04 at 9:37am

I think musicals stopped being fun in the 80's when we had Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and then Miss Saigon.

The Brit push seemed to be bigger is better, scenery was more important than heart and humor in a show. It was this sung through type of show (popera?) which seemed to banish the aforementioned variety of show. These musicals were successful so then we had those that chose to imitate this genre ie Jekyl and Hyde. Suddenly the term musical comedy was passe. 'Musical Theatre' was art, 'Musical Comedy' old hat.

Some of the recent revivals of shows such as Chicago, Kiss Me Kate, and Cabaret have helped remind audiences that it is ok to laugh and feel good at a musical. Then along came a new musical, The Producers which ( I think) broke through the final resistance to feeling good in the theatre again. So now we have Millie, Hairspray, Avenue Q and revivals like Wonderful Town and Fiddler to keep us smiling in these trying times wherever you may live in the world.

This last week I attended a preview in Melbourne of The Full Monty ( a reproduction of the Broadway presentation), I laughed, smiled and applauded. When it was over I felt good. I had been entertained.It had humor and heart and theatrical skill. While Les Mis, Miss Saigon and Phantom (for me) had skill( mechanical and performance) they lacked genuine warmth and heart. They were what I think of as grey/brown and black shows. Give me color every time!

What was the question? Oh yes ... my answer the 1980's.

[PJ]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 12:48am

I like JoizeyActor's reply. I think Broadway is fun. Perhaps those who have seen so much theatre become jaded and less appreciative, not to mention a bit close-minded towards newer material.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:02pm

Those that have seen more theatre I wouldn't say are jaded, just more discerning.

[Elphie]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:16pm

The biggest problem I see with Broadway now is that everything has to be so elaborate. What happened to simple? I like the plain sets where you eye is more drawn to the characters and in a musical's case, the music. I can understand how you feel Bulldog (although I do like the modern stuff too ).

[Phantom2]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:17pm

Yes Virginia, musicals are fun.

[Elphie]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:22pm

What is your favorite musical Bulldog if you have one? What do you recomend in Sondheim musicals? (I need to get more into those.)

[BillFinn]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:33pm

Passion and Sunday in the Park with George.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:34pm

Without a doubt, "Chess".

PS Does the period go before the quote or after? I recall reading something about this.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:37pm

you were right, After

[Phantom2]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:39pm

Damn, I'm good.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:49pm

yes, very.

[Elphie]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:56pm

Does it really?
I guess you learn a new thing everyday.
Always though at broadwayworld.com.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 1/4/04 at 8:58pm

They say a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Then again, I've said that about an Almond Joy.

Updated On: 1/4/04 at 08:58 PM