This is a somewhat selfish item. Theater Guild has begun production on Once Upon a Mattress, and I thought a discussion of musical theater would be nice. So I'm starting one. What do you like? Your favorite shows, your favorite songs, your favorite actors? What's good that's not as well known? Speak away.14 responses total.
Might be from childhood experience, but I've always been partial to Music Man, for a variety of reasons. It's quite funny, the songs are great, and its fun to watch. I wish I had had a chance to work it :)
No doubt-- that's quite a musical. The movie version was one of Ron Howard's earliest projects. I remember reading something somewhere that his folks were teaching him a very craftman's-like approach to acting, especially his father. One of my big favorites is "Scrooge," which I had a chance to work on when I was merely in fourth grade. I understand Patrick Stewart recently did..was it a one-man play? the role of Ebenezer, among other roles, I think. I studied musicals when I first entered my local community college. We sang a medley of Oscar & Hammerstein tunes. I even worked a little bit on a solo of the song "Be A Dentist" from _Little Shop Of Horrors_. What a gas! I can still visualize Steve Martin singing it. And speaking of the comic great, that reminds me of another song he sang, "Maxwell's Silver Hammer," for a lesser-known musical done by George Harrison, titled _Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band_. Now maybe this musical isn't so recognized because the musical material is entirely (? not sure) from the album of the same name. In fact, the very idea that Harrison worked every song in to refer to what was happening (and several characters were named after characters or places mentioned in the songs) made me wonder what he was smoking at the time.
there are very few american stage musicals that i care for. the only one that springs to mind right now is "west side story." otoh, i could sit and watch gilbert & sullivan for days. :)
I *love* West Side story! But my favorite musical is probably Into The Woods. I've never liked Gilbert & Sullivan much. Don't know why...
Ron Howard didn't have a huge part in Music Man.. but then he was supposed to be a quiet character. West Side Story is another terrific one, absolutely wonderful onstage. The movie loses a bit of the translation, but is still a lot of fun to watch.
I *loved* seeing _Into The Woods_ on PBS with Bernadette Peters as Little Red Riding Hood. It had wit, sparkle, and charm. _West Side Story_ I have not seen yet-- I am deprived.
Rent it, then. It's worth the three bucks. The problem with West Side Story is that it's difficult for a nonprofessional theater organization to put up--every member of the cast must be an adept actor, singer, and dancer. It's difficult. I'm hoping to get a chance to work on it sometime later in life.
Oooh-- singing, dancing, and acting? Cool! Hrm-- the blend sounds like a dream for me to do-- I can act and sing, but have not had formal training in dance. Perhaps someday I'll get it.
re #2: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band" *is* a bizarre and entertaining film. The music, however, is not entirely from the Sgt Pepper's album (for instance "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" is from "Abbey Road", as is a lot of the other music used in the film..)
Well, of course. There had to be songs from elsewhere. Sorry if I implied to the contrary.
I can't say I've seen a whole lot of Musical Theatre, though I now have that opportunity should I choose to accept it). The only Musical I've ever seen is "Cats". I would give a lot to be able to see some others. I really wanted to see "Beauty and the Beast" when it came out on Broadway, but, I'm poor <sigh>.
Here's something different... I just auditioned for a "turn of the century melodrama". It's a style of theatre (which happens to be a musical in this instance) which remindes me a lot of British pantomime; lots of audiance participation, over-the-top presentation of charectors, etc... Anybody know about this? I'd kind of like to know what we're getting into.
As a followup to my last post here, I'd just thougth I'd tell you I got the male protagonist lead: Adam Oakheart. I love the names in this musical... We've got a rich person named Mrs. Asterbilt!
Sounds interesting.
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