Is there something wrong with me? I hate musicals.

Ittakeslonger · 2025-05-11T19:21:47+00:00

AIBU? I'm 62 and all my friends seem to have developed a passion for musicals. I have been to quite a few with friends to be sociable and to see if I could get to like them but, with each musical, my dislike of them just grows. I find them contrived, and the music average and the whole experience very boring. I sit there hoping it's over soon. I go to be sociable but it's not an event where you chat or do an activity together. We simply sit, glued to a chair. Some musicals are better than others but overall I'd always rather be anywhere else, even home. Is there anyone else out there who gets my dislike? Am I destined to be a social pariah? My friends seem puzzled and a bit offended by my attitude.

Original poster

Ittakeslonger · 17/05/2025 11:31

For all my fellow non musicals

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Fc8nBdDiV/

OP posts:

Copernicus321 · 16/05/2025 23:45

No, it shows you have standards.

The vast majority of musical productions are an artistic compromise. The drama / story is weak because it fits around the music. The lyrics / music of the productions are contrived because they strive to be relevant to the storyline. There are very few exceptions, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, you get the picture. The majority of productions, including most of Lloyd Webber who's popularity continues to mistify me, are absolute junk.

thing47 · 16/05/2025 22:39

MayaPinion · 16/05/2025 14:03

Me! I can’t stand them either! I’d rather spend the money on a ticket to see The Killers or Bruce Springsteen. Mind you, at least when you go to see a musical you get a comfy seat and some ice cream if you’re really lucky.

You do know that they don't have to be mutually exclusive, right? I saw both The Killers (for the third time) and Bruce (for about the 15th) last year.

Love a good musical too, though. I do think it makes a difference seeing musicals with a big name - not a famous actor who can sing a bit, but an actual musical theatre star who is trained in and specialises in, that genre.

TheWonderhorse · 16/05/2025 22:13

My DD has become a musical nerd. I now live in a musical. I started off shaking my head wondering how that happened, but it's like a contagion. I love Hamilton now, it's amazing, and just this evening as a whole family we did a version of Good Morning Baltimore, I was in the bathroom, DD was in her room and joined in with her friend she was on video call with, then DP and the other two DC from downstairs. It's actually great. I reckon our neighbours think we're unhinged but eventually we'll hear them join in through the walls, it's just a matter of time.

Jabberwok · 16/05/2025 22:13

I like a musical like singing in the rain where there are songs to add to.the plot, not where the lyrics continue the story.

you have to suspend belief with a musical...the best story was in one of elvis' films, there was a scene just him and a girl in the car and he wanted his backing singers, the Jordinaires on the song "but Elvis, where will the voices come from?". " the same damn place as the music! "

Carpaltoenail · 16/05/2025 22:03

I’m with you OP.

My DD says I’m a “fun hater” 😬

Dangermoo · 16/05/2025 21:56

RaraRachael · 16/05/2025 17:23

What's eve worse than a musical is when members of the audience "sing" along. If I've paid a lot of money I want to hear professional people not drunken hens bawling along

😂😅

Dangermoo · 16/05/2025 21:56

RaraRachael · 16/05/2025 21:47

Good to know @Dangermoo I am in Manchester to see him tomorrow night - better thsn any naff musical 😀

I'm jel! Saw the pics of him sunbathing in Manchester today! Enjoy x 😘

RaraRachael · 16/05/2025 21:47

Good to know @Dangermoo I am in Manchester to see him tomorrow night - better thsn any naff musical 😀

Dangermoo · 16/05/2025 20:35

MayaPinion · 16/05/2025 14:03

Me! I can’t stand them either! I’d rather spend the money on a ticket to see The Killers or Bruce Springsteen. Mind you, at least when you go to see a musical you get a comfy seat and some ice cream if you’re really lucky.

Incidentally, the Boss is looking very nice indeed. Not bad for 75 years of age. 😍

Original poster

Ittakeslonger · 16/05/2025 20:34

Caroparo52 · 16/05/2025 17:13

Finally ... I hate them too and now I feel vindicated. Thank you op. It's just so irritating the way people jump with joy at the sniff of doing singing and dancing in front of an audience. I'm not a moody cow and love live music... just not all the dressing up and poor acting thst goes with it. Amature dramatics.... rather stick pins in my ...... And no way would I pay to watch anything

Thank you. It's good to feel understood!

OP posts:

RaraRachael · 16/05/2025 17:23

What's eve worse than a musical is when members of the audience "sing" along. If I've paid a lot of money I want to hear professional people not drunken hens bawling along

Caroparo52 · 16/05/2025 17:22

I would make an exception for The Lion King because the animal actors are so amazing but everything else... naah

Caroparo52 · 16/05/2025 17:13

Finally ... I hate them too and now I feel vindicated. Thank you op. It's just so irritating the way people jump with joy at the sniff of doing singing and dancing in front of an audience. I'm not a moody cow and love live music... just not all the dressing up and poor acting thst goes with it. Amature dramatics.... rather stick pins in my ...... And no way would I pay to watch anything

PruthePrune · 16/05/2025 16:45

You are not alone, I hate musicals with a passion. My husband took me to see the Book of Mormon, I sat stony faced while most people around me were guffawing. It was terrible.

RaraRachael · 16/05/2025 16:42

@Words I also loathe pantomimes and even did as a child.
I remember going to one with the Brownies about 55 years ago and thinking how stupid it all was. These people not being able to tell that the baddie was behind them despite the whole audience shouting at them. Utter shite.

MayaPinion · 16/05/2025 14:03

Me! I can’t stand them either! I’d rather spend the money on a ticket to see The Killers or Bruce Springsteen. Mind you, at least when you go to see a musical you get a comfy seat and some ice cream if you’re really lucky.

Noshowlomo · 16/05/2025 13:54

Musicals make me cringe so hard

thenightsky · 16/05/2025 13:53

Dangermoo · 16/05/2025 13:47

That Elton John film was ruined by being a musical. I rented it and turned it off as soon as I realised. I thought it would be like the Queen film.

I got caught out by that one too 🙄

Dangermoo · 16/05/2025 13:47

That Elton John film was ruined by being a musical. I rented it and turned it off as soon as I realised. I thought it would be like the Queen film.

LeilaLandi · 16/05/2025 13:37

I can’t stand them either and will never go
to another and hope I’ll like it. I won’t!! The most dreadful couple of hours of my life 😂

Words · 16/05/2025 13:34

I loathe musicals and always despised pantomime as a child also.

Original poster

Ittakeslonger · 16/05/2025 13:01

Butchyrestingface · 11/05/2025 20:30

Yes, you are dead inside.

But admitting it is to the first step to a cure. Now you can begin to heal ... preferably to the strains of 🎵 Doe, a deer 🎵

Ha ha x

OP posts:

lizzyBennet08 · 12/05/2025 13:10

Yes . Totally there must be something wrong with you. Musicals are amazing!’😜

Teenagequeenwithaloadedgun · 12/05/2025 12:52

TeenLifeMum · 11/05/2025 20:27

I love them but dad can’t understand why they just keep going into song. He hates them.

I'm totally with your dad on this.

My friend booked tickets to Blood Brothers and I stupidly didn't realise it was a musical. DH thought it was hilarious when I texted him 'WTF' when the first song started.