Is it just me - Musicals?

[Kazzyhoward]

Am I the only one who just doesn't "get" musicals? I like to go to the theatre for plays, I like to go to pop/music concerts. But I'd rather eat my own vomit than go to watch a musical. I have a few friends/family that love them and always pestering me to go, but I absolutely hate them.

I just don't "get" it when actors who suddenly burst into song or leap into dance every few minutes. The last I went to, that probably finished me off, was Cats - yes, I don't deny the fantastic scenery, costumes, etc., but it was really repetitive, no obvious story, just loads of people dressed up pretending to be cats. Once I'd seen the costumes/scenery, I was bored rigid.

I LOVE MUSICALS!!!!

I frickin' love musicals!
But I have that as part of my 'history'
But it's not for everyone.
Some people love opera - I can't stand it.

Chicago is my fave by far

Maybe we should put on a virtual Mumsnet Musical. Call it, "YABU!". Could feature songs like, "I am an old poster, I know the score - penis beaker and Maui and more", or "A parking thread! A parking thread! Down in the streets, a storm is brewing, drivers are ranting, neighbours are stewing - take to the CF a battering ram, but first please please draw us a diagram!" Then someone could flounce across the stage, while someone boils some piss

All the musical haters, how do you feel about opera and operetta?

Like:
Joseph
Anything goes
Rent
Wicked
The sound of music
Moulin Rouge
West side story
Buffy the vampire slayer once more with feeling
Mary Poppins
Chicago
Gentlemen prefer blonded
Dislike
Les mis
Cats (liked skimbleshanks and mr mistopheles)
Miss Saigon. Great effects tho.
Not a huge fan of phantom.

Oh god, Rocky Horror made me feel all squeamish! I’m not any kind of prude but it made me feel weird and a bit sick!

Chicago is wry, knowing and extremely topical which is quite remarkable for a 40 year old play. It is also funny and has some great songs. I also found Caberet (50 year old musical, based on a 60 year old play, based on an 80 year old novel) to be chillingly topical.

Yes, Chicago is pretty scabrous and very very wry and dry.

It IS chilling how the themes of Cabaret just don't go away.

This thread has got me humming the 76 trombones song from "The Music Man"!

When DS was about 11 his school put on Oliver. One of his friends said he hated musicals, people just bursting into song for no reason. My son looked perplexed and commented " My Mum does that all the time".
The friend told me this recently,they are now 19, and said he now knows my DS spoke the truth.

I love (some) musicals, Bat Out Of Hell was stunning.

Ds went to see Wicked last year I asked him did he enjoy it he replied it was over 4 hours long mummy

I felt his pain

scampimom I think youre onto something there.

I guess musicals are a marmite thing - you either love them or hate them. Some of them are very dull, but others are brilliant. I knew the soundtrack to Phantom off by heart by the time I was 9 and it will always have a special place in my heart - I especially enjoyed it as a teenager when I was going through my goth phase.

And the soundtrack to the movie Oliver! is a work of genius imho.

For me, musicals are the ultimate, immersive live theatre experience. I love 'straight' theatre as well, but nothing captures me head, heart and soul like a musical. Whether it's the popular blockbusters with loads of catchy tunes that send you on your way with a beaming smile, or the serious ones that get you thinking for ages afterwards. Kiss of the Spiderwoman, anyone? It's by Kander and Ebb (of Cabaret fame) and it's utterly captivating.

I have to admit, though, LaLa Land left me absolutely cold - the opening was fun, but it was all downhill from there.

What I don't like is when they take a book or a movie and force it into a musical on the stage that it was never intended to be: Matilda, Nativity! etc

The worst I’ve seen was Dirty Dancing (although is it actually a musical? Hmm...) which was just dire. Awful.

I also keep meaning to say, it helps if you think of the characters bursting into song when normal speech can no longer get across their feelings.

Best was Hairspray in London with the original cast. Fanbloidytastic.

scampimom, please may I be in the ensemble number 'Keep those judgiepants hoicked up high'?

Then the chorus comes on for a rousing rendition of "Leave the Bastard!"

I love musicals!! More so the classics though. Lion King i didn't enjoy at all.

I love any music though, i thrive on going to gigs, anything from Ed Sheeran to Prodigy.

I'm not mad keen on musicals as a rule. I liked Mary Poppins as a film and stage show. Hated Annie though everyone raved about it. Loathed Mama Mia. I like some of the old style musicals like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I think I'd hate Cats but never seen it.

"Keep those judgy pants hoiked up high,
Never ask the reason why
A single mother can't afford shoes
Perhaps she has mental health issues"

I hate most musicals so mostly YANBU. Watched a bit of Hamilton on YouTube to see what the fuss was about and thought it was dreadful. I have hate les mis, Lloyd-Webber/Rice, Chicago.

I do like grease, mama Mia (intended to hate the film but love it), some of the old 60s musicals and cabaret, rocky horror and does The Producers count?

I hate opera too. I like my music loud and to be enjoyed with a pint of cider in my hand. I can totally live with being uncultured.

If you're slagging off musicals as an art form, YABU.

If you're laying into the ones you've actually seen, YANBU.

'Musical' is an umbrella term for a wide variety of shows. It's not possible to say 'they're all shite/I hate musicals' unless you've spent time watching them.

Moulin Rouge oh god that was a painful cinema experience

Red from your list I haven’t seen Rent, anything goes or dislike have seen the rest (not all on stage) and only enjoyed Chicago and Gentlemen prefer blondes I only remember one song

Even as a child I disliked Mary Poppins

It IS chilling how the themes of Cabaret just don't go away

And the current touring production is even bleaker than the (many) previous productions I've seen. I could barely function after the last scene.

Mind you, I wasn't very impressed with Will Young as Emcee. It felt like a poor replica of the amazing Alan Cumming.