To not get Musical Theatre

[springydaffs]

sorry, but I just don't.

I've just seen Phantom and, frankly, I loathed it.

What am I supposed to be suspending to enjoy it or, even, get it?

this is fab - would love to see Oliver, sits humming and bopping to, 'who will buy...'

See forgot about Jesus Christ Superstar though only saw the movie. LOVE IT - Judas rocked and Mary Mag singing 'I don't know how to love him' hum, hum, hum...

IMO the one not to miss is Blood Brothers. It is head and shoulders above any musical I have ever seen. I saw it when it first came out in 1984 and was blown away by it. I saw it again three years ago when they did a 25th anniversary tour. One of the Nolan sisters took the lead role and she was brilliant. The whole performance was stunning and the cast got a standing ovation at the end.

Agreed about Blood Brothers. First saw it with absolutely no expectations as i knew nothing about it but it blew me away.

I know y'all want to share the love of musicals and I'm getting in the way a bit, but I've seen Blood Brothers - in New York ffs - and erm nope, didn't hit the spot.

Saw Jesus Christ Superstar and remember laughing so much I was nearly sick. I remember Hair. Liked that.

I love musical theatre whereas my husband loathes it, especially Rent and Chigaco which I therefore sing songs from around the house

I love Les Mis and would suggest that for you- also Sound of Music (saw it with Connie Fisher and really enjoyed it)

Alot of people seem to hate Cats... I actually enjoyed it but I was younger at the time. Also enjoyed Joseph (would have loved to have seen Lee Mead in it though) I really want to see Wicked next, and Jersey boys.

If you didn't get Blood Brothers I would just give up quietly and go and hide in a quiet corner.

I love Oliver! Apart from wet little Oliver himself....

Interestingly I never saw Mary Poppins as poking fun at Mrs Banks for being a suffragette, I think it raised awareness for many subsequent generations that wen had to fight for the vote. Sure that a film with such a strong independent female lead character could not be anything but pro- women. ( I won't say feminist as MN feminists are far too serious for musical theatre!

at laughing so much you were nearly sick! Actually, I wasn't too fussed with Blood brothers when I first saw it but everyone seems to love it- I was, however quite young again and have appreciated it more since seeing it since!

MrsKitty, I think that Billy Elliot would be on the cusp for a nine year old as there are some miner's strike bits in it that could be scary, and it's also less hum-along-able than some others, but it is really great so worth you doing some more research as I don't have children so am not the best authority. Isn't the hot ticket for kids at the moment Matilda? I hear adults love it too.

Stephen Sondheim is a genius and his shows have quite a different feel to your ALW musicals.
Get yourself to Sweeney Todd. The vocals are stunning and Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton age just incredible.
It is clever, witty and utterly brilliant!

I liked the Billy Elliot film - especially that amazing leap at the end

Rinkan I've just been looking at Billy Elliot, I missed it touring near me last year but it's in London all year! Funnily enough DD would probably love B.E. more than Matilda, she hates Mrs Trunchball :( !! She's not at all timid usually!! I want to see both!

We went to see Les Miz when Nj was in it and he was better than expected. He does the acting well even though he doesn't have the great voice. It doesn't come across in the 25th anniversary version. Dd 14 was a huge fan of nick Jonas at the time, but because of him now really loves Les Miz and much more open to seeing.
Also treated her to seeing Lee Mead in Legally Blonde which she adored. She is happy to come with me and her Nan to see Alfie Boe at thetford this summer.

The top-ranking musicals for me are West Side Story, Cabaret, Guys & Dolls and My Fair Lady. Nothing else really comes close to these 4 for me, but do have a nostalgic guilty pleasure for the shows of my yoof (Cats, Joseph, Oliver!). Hate all Lloyd Webber apart from Cats & Joseph though.

DH loathes musicals apart from Spamalot & (his childhood nostalgia trip), Bugsy Malone, but I think you can get away with loving that if you grew up with it from childhood. Not sure I can turn him to liking Tony & Maria or Eliza Doolittle though...

Have been lurking wondering when someone was going to mention Sondheim. GO AND SEE SOME SONDHEIM, OP. If other musicals have left you cold, this could be the best direction for you. Often done by Actors Who Sing rather than Singers Who Act, and not so much flounciness. I bloody love musicals, but hate Lloyd Webber. I like Blood Brothers, but don't actually think it's a "good" piece of musical theatre (only two tunes- Will Russell is an excellent playwright, but not a musician) However, Sondheim is a genius. Sweeney Todd would be well worth a look. I also love Merrily We Roll Along, Into The Woods and Company. Get yourself to a decent production though.

Oh and that thing you asked about in your OP that you have to suspend is your disbelief- but you have to suspend that for ANY performance, not just musical theatre, otherwise you'd sit in front of your TV shouting "that's not an American soldier, that's Damien Lewis. He's English. Why is he talking in that weird accent? And why are people calling him Brodie"

Will Russell? Meant Willy Russell of course. Not trying to make out that he's my mate.

another Les Mis fan here - seen it several times. Also loved Blood Brothers! Not so keen on Phantom, thought Cats was fun. DD2 is auditioning next week for a university place to do musical theatre. her audition piece is Gimme, gimme from Thoroughly Modern Millie - if she can nail that I'll be the proudest mum on the planet!!

oh forgot Cabaret, another cracker. Musicals aren't usually frothy, bouncy and smiley at all, a misconception - they are generally quite dark.

Most of the Oscar & Hammerstein ones have dark undertones.

I love musical theatre. Partly because DD2 has been in a few. I took DD2 to see Wicked when she was 18 and we both loved it and found it very funny.

I meant Rogers and Hammerstein.

Phantom is hideous, scary and creepy.

The Producers might be your thing although I'm not sure if it's still showing. First bit dragged then it got really funny.

Sister Act was ace, shame that has gone too.

i do not enjoy them either. its the jazz hands and over singing, acting dancing i cannot stand. my friend has friends who perform in the west end so i am regularly punished treated to seeing these shows. She knows i am not keen but seems intent on changing my mind

i do love Grease (well the film), Chicago, The Producers and Rocky Horror Show

I can't stand Annie, Dirty Dancing, Guys and Dolls, Mama Mia, Les Mis (hours and hours and hours of dullness), Wicked i wanted to weep with boredom and Cats well get tickets for someone you want revenge on it is terrible just dire

I am off to Sweeney Todd next month.

btw the Olivier awards are on tv at the moment..