To not understand what kind of person hates musicals

[CrotchBurn]

Love them. Love all musicals. I just don't understand how you can have people who like stories, and who like music, and they have this hatred of musicals.

There's also so many different types of musicals from Cabaret to Blood Brothers to Cats to Sound of Music, how could you dislike them ALL?

Is it about the singing preventing you from engaging with the story? Because it feels artificial? But surely all films and plays feel artificial? I just think there's no better way of getting huge amounts of info across quickly than in musicals. This scene from Les Mis for example, in one song you understand the conflict, both characters' motives and back stories.

Also isnt there a bit of snobbery here - theres no difference between opera and musicals except musicals are more fun.

@Etinox Thank you for the link to the radio station! I never knew such a thing existed! I love it!

My dh does, although as a musician it's not the music he objects to, but the breaking out in song and dance all the time.
I like certain ones, but not all.

Not read the thread yet... I love musicals, but voted YABU as I get why some people don't. Even I get a bit cringed when switching on the TV halfway through a film musical and suddenly seeing people bursting into song, but give me the full effect in a live theatre where its all about suspending disbelief, then I love it.

But some people can't/don't want to suspend their disbelief. They find the music too saccharine or artificial. Although they might like live music, they'd prefer to see bands who write their own music etc. My DH is one of these people. He has been to see one or two musicals with me, but I prefer to see musicals with other people who love them as much as me, rather than sitting there tolerating it (at best).

[quote ofwarren]@Etinox Thank you for the link to the radio station! I never knew such a thing existed! I love it! [/quote]
It’s great isn’t it?!
My preset car stations are a source of great hilarity to the family
Radio 4
Scala
Premier Christian
Country Hits
MagicMusicals

It will be me, though I would say I do not like them more than hating. I have zero inclination to sit and listen and watch a musical.
I love theatre. But the music deters from the story, and the reality of the charachters in musicals.
I like music, but I never like all the songs in an album. Neither all the songs in a musical. Only two times in my live I have been in a big concert. I get bored of it quickly. It would be great if they play only the songs I like. But obviously that will not happen.
So, I am that boring

Hate musicals - probably only ever enjoyed about 2. I go to the theatre a lot and prefer the characters just communicate by speech a d 'get in with it'.

I love musicals.

Calamity Jane
7 Brides for 7 Brothers
West Side Story
The King and I
The Sound of Music.

To name a few.... love them all!

I can understand that some people don’t enjoy the ‘jolt’ that launching into song creates in the middle of the action.

However, those calling them cheesy and naff can’t have seen very many. Sondheim, Kandar and Ebb, Bernstein, seriously? This stuff is genuine art even if it’s not your thing.

What are people talking about when they say that, Hairspray? (full disclosure, I love Hairspray)

I'm going to go as far as saying I don't like live theatre, of any kind. I feel awkward watching people pretend. My family love theatre, musicals, opera etc so I was taken a lot as a child/teen. Haven't been at all since I had a choice.

I do like the old Fred and Ginger films, but for the dancing - and it also helps that they're fairly short

Forced jovility

I absolutely love musicals.

Just seen Billy Elliot Live on Sky Arts.
Never seen the musical version - absolutely fantastic. The energy, humour and the dancing were awesome.

But I understand some people don't like musicals. Looking at you, DS.

I’m not a fan of most musicals. I find them too cheesy. I prefer the ones that are comedies, such as The Book of Mormon.

Yeah, I'm not a fan! I hate it when people burst into song and it takes away from storylines / characters. I find it false and irritating. Been like that my whole life!

Having just seen Billy Elliot - I dare anyone to watch it and not enjoy it

Forced jovility

Try Cabaret or Funny Girl and come back and say that with a straight face.

Someone should do a modern-day Billy Elliot about a boy who wants to be a coal miner and his arty parents says don't be silly you'll never get a job doing that.

I hate the fuckers.

YOU’RE RIGHT OP!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE a musical. I played them all for my little boy when he was a tiny baby. He’s 16 months now and always on the go.

Expect for the 3 minutes of “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee” that came on the Telly when grease was showing the other day. He stood still rapt during the whole song and then CLAPPED at the end!!!

My work here is done.

Me and an old friend used to have a funny phrase about this.

"Musicals - for people who hate music".

As an aside, I’m also very partial to the “horsey in the house” silly song Michael Bublé sings in CBeebies’ “Moon and Me”.

Also love “Little Shop of Horrors”. Love how alan Menken is influenced by everything from Yiddish folk (“Mushnik and Son”) to Mozart (“Closed for Renovation”). A really spectacular score. Then he goes off and writes “The Little Mermaid”. Guy’s a genius.

I find musicals cheesy. Can't stand them. Ditto panto!

Yabu. Other people aren’t you, OP.

My favourite is the Only Fools and Horses musical. Utterly brilliant and I never felt ready for it to end, which I did with a few I’ve seen.

I find some musicals a bit saccharin. Plus im not a fan of warbling singing voices which tend to be the go-to in musicals.

Can people actually reference the musicals they find saccharine or cheesy?

I’m trying to understand this better.