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 may be biased because I really don't like them

YANBU. I don't necessarily have a problem with people bursting into song (I like opera), but most musicals are just shit. I just find the songs unbearably cheesy, overblown and revoltingly over-emotional. And often not very good tunes either. Les Mis is particularly awful. I have a bit of a soft spot for Oklahoma and West Side Story, but that's about it.

The love of Sondheim on here warns my cockles. I'm a massive Sondheimite and love Into The Woods, Company, Sweeney Todd and Sunday In The Park With George best.

Hail, sister. Though I note the omission of Assassins, which is fabulous and very accessible. My local indy cinema did a singalong version of WSS which worked surprisingly well - I think most of the audience were proper fans who knew the songs inside out. One of the best bits was the huge ovation for Sondheim when his name came up on the credits.

Anyone see the touring version of Chess choreographed by Craig Revel-Horwood a few years ago? It was spellbinding. Now there's an under-rated musical if ever there was one. Teeny audience in my local theatre, so I went twice - when it's empty you can buy the cheapest gallery tickets and they move you to front stalls so that the performers have a visible audience to play to.

Musicals suck the very balls of Satan.

I hate musicals too. Give me a play or a concert, then I'm happy.

Every time I go to London I'm always asked which shows I'm going to see. When I say "None", they look at me like I've got two heads!!

Loving Evita getting recognised as the best ALW - it really is an underrated wee gem.

@morningtoncrescent62 ahh Assassins is great - did you see the Menier production a few years ago? Merrily We Roll Along is my fave though - not even sure why as it's not the best but it just holds such a special place in my heart.

The idea of Hamilton makes me want to faint.

I also saw the original Miss Saigon. Bear in mind it was about 30 years ago so special effects were few & far between, & nowhere near as spectacular as what we would take for granted today. When the helicopter rose up with that overpowering noise, my heart was pounding (I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it)

I have family coming from Europe to London especially to see Hamilton but to me it sounds like hell. My stepsister who lives in NY tells me it's a must see and the experience of a lifetime. However she is the same person who told me Oslo was the best play she had ever seen so I booked that against my better judgement. It was so boring l left in the interval despite having paid nearly £100 for the ticket. The best bit of that afternoon for me was the McFlurry I had afterwards to restore my good humour.

Not keen on musicals but I quite like watching them or listening in the comfort of my own home if they are Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein, My fair lady etc.

Ooooooooook-la-homa ...

I generally don't mind them but since seeing CATS I'm shying away from any that don't have any dialogue as often I can't hear what they're singing therefore can't understand the plot, which is a huge issue for me.

I do however love the film of Evita even though I was ready to hate it. I think Madonna is fantastic in it and I love the songs.

I also liked Wicked and The Lion King

YANBU about Cats- it is awful. But I love musicals and have been to lots. I’d advise going to see one with a decent plot line. My favourites are: Wicked, Miss Saigon and Les Mis.

Yup it's just you. (But I didn't like Cats either).
Sweeney Todd. How can you not love it.

I like West Side Story, but that’s about it really.

DD loves the School of Rock film so for her birthday we took her to see the ALW musical.

While I enjoyed it, I am getting a bit sick of the CD being on constant play now.

I also find the idea of Andrew Lloyd Webber, 'sticking it to the man' hilarious. He is the man!!

The most unreasonable thing about musicals is the cost! For long running/touring productions it is shocking. Having worked in entertainments and understanding venue hire the costs they have compared to say a pop concert which only tours for a few weeks is minimal.

Going to see Shrek in a few weeks with my kids. Ticket costs averaging £55 and this is midlands not London so you're talking £200 easily for a couple of hours entertainment. Yes it's a special treat for the kids but my wallet is still having palpitations.

morningtoncres62 I would LOVE to see Chess directed by CRH. I've never seen it but the music is sensational, I'm sure it's a brilliant musical, it's hardly ever been shown and I can't understand why.

One Night in Bangkok is just amazing.

I would love to see Chess! I remember slyly listening to a tape in my teens that was left in our house by a my mum's friend.

@StoneColdDiva Why?

Agree completely. I have had the misfortune to have sat through many musicals, and hated most of them. Titanic (Broadway, 1997) was a particular low point. It sank.

I'd far rather go to a gig or live sport.

Ds2 has been in a couple of West End touring shows (both straight plays and musicals) & whilst I have always enjoyed musicals he’s made me love them. He introduced me to Hamilton (wow - amazing), he found tickets (wow - my bank balance) and Dear Evan Hansen recently. I am currently doing a lot of driving (8 hours one day then 8 hours back the next) and musical theatre to sing along to ears up the miles :)

We went to watch a show he was in recently (when he was smaller, he’s too big now) & it was total escapism after some really really crappy months - the worst few months of my life to date. It was the first time i’d seen the show without him in it (so the first time i’d Watched it without feeling sick) & it struck me how amazing a good powerful musical is for escapism. It was the first time in months I actually properly forgot what was happening for a few hours. I don’t think a play would have done that as it wouldn't have been as much of a sensory experience as front row of a musical. The talent shown by the cast in MT is usually extraordinary as well imo. I sit in awe.

The only musicals I haven’t really liked when i’ve seen them have been Cats & Starlight Express.

I enjoy all theatre book all sorts (usually accompanied by Ds2). Led to an interesting conversation with DH last week where he thought we were off to see Hamlet but we were actually going to see Hairspray

I saw chess back in the 80’s - it was fab, would love to see it again!

@BonnieF I saw Titanic when it was on in London recently and my GOODNESS it was crass.

You couldn't pay me to watch most live sport though!

Chess is back this year.