Is there something wrong with me? I hate musicals.

[Ittakeslonger]

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.

I hate them too. It's so naff people suddenly bursting into song. I often go to London for a few days and everyone asks me which musicals I'm going to see. When I say "None", they look at me as if I've got 3 heads.

I'm interested which plays you've seen that have been boring?

Ooh not sure narrators might be different from dialogues. I tend to overthink and it can be exhausting and about negative things. I like having a break. The right type of entertainment is great for that. I think having an internal dialogue/ narrator/ monologue all the time is probably fine as long as it doesn't make you feel too down or anxious ?

I'm a few years younger than you, OP, and I am not a fan of musicals either. My teen and their friends (all under 18) seem to love them.
I just don't get the appeal. I don't like the style of singing particularly either.

Waiting for Godot

I mean I knew it was a play where nothing happened but… literally… nothing happened

I’m clearly not metaphysically minded enough

I don't really enjoy musicals, especially not Andrew Lloyd Webber type stuff. I like a couple of operas and I do like some of the songs from Oklahoma and guys and dolls as my mum always sang them to me as a kid!
But just don't go if you don't like it.

Thanks for replying! I maybe tend to underthink? My internal monologue is a huge comfort to me - it certainly doesn't make me feel down or anxious.

Although who the hell are these people who don't have inner voice(s)? Blank behind the eyes? Inventing alternative political parties for today's UK, or maybe transwarp equations?

PS My favourite musical is Les Mis. (Seen it twice. Own the CD. )

I honestly don't think I could sit through a musical anymore. I did like Chicago and A Chorus Line (thinking about it, I was young when I saw those), but things like Les Mis just left me thinking when is this going to finish? Another encore and I will start screaming. And, yes, I know I must be the only person in the world who thought that.

But I do love live theatre, the more overwrought and scenery chewing the better. I could probably watch a production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" every six months.

I remember reading an interview with Anthony La Paglia who was in Arthur Miller's "View from a Bridge" on Broadway. I had just seen an excellent production of it in Sydney and all the way through it I kept on thinking this is going to end very badly, which of course it did. There was a "Greek chorus" providing the view from the bridge. Anyway, Anthony La Paglia and Alison Jenney's characters were having a very emotional argument. When A. LaP came off stage he found blood pouring down his face. Jenney had accidentally whacked him on the nose with her teeth and both were so swept up in the moment, neither noticed it. I remember thinking lucky things, I am so envious, to be so swept up in the moment, that's really being alive. What an experience.

I'm 61 and have always hated musicals since childhood. I've never known why they were even invented, if you've got something to say, say it either in a play or write an album of songs, don't mix up the two. The worst ones are where the musical is simply a vehicle for a band's songs eg mamma Mia or we will rock you. The plots are thin as paper and you might as well watch a tribute band sing the songs.

Any subject seems to be up for being made into a musical, I saw a promo write up recently about a musical about the Titanic disaster which was supposed to be full of laughter and fun, WTF??

Some years ago I actually had to lose a friend over her love of musicals. I'd made this friend a few years previously and we did various things together, but I had no idea she loved musicals until she invited me to go to We Will Rock You. I didn't really want to go but she persuaded me, bad move. It was utterly appalling. No plot to speak of and then they'd burst out singing a Queen song. The audience was mostly middle aged and they were all clapping, singing and standing up in the aisles while mediocre singers belted out hits.
I felt my whole body cringing practically inside out as I stayed in my seat while my friend was standing up singing and clapping, I just wanted to leave. At the end she said it had been fantastic. I knew there and then I just couldn't continue to be her friend because I really didn't know her at all.

I don’t like them either but strangely enjoyed the tv series Crazy Ex-girlfriend where the cast regularly burst into song.

Yep! Frigging hate them! The minute someone starts singing in a theatre show I’m done 😆

I’ve discovered I’m okay with Gilbert and Sullivan operetta; but I watch Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof every Christmas; but I watch it alone, now. They are good, of their time, naff, contrived and cringe.

Movie of Mamma Mia? If I could have dug a hole in which to climb…. How embarrassing! BUT I am aware many people love them, best of luck 😬

I’m on a roll, here! Is Chicago considered ‘a musical’? Or an operetta? I love it.

But plays are equally unsuited to someone who only goes ‘to be sociable’. You’re just sitting in the dark watching people sing/dance/speak onstage. You’re just as well off going by yourself if you’re a musical/theatre fan. Unless you go out for dinner or for a drink afterwards to discuss there’s not much point going to theatre of any kind with friends. Why not see your friends to do something you all enjoy?

How many musicals have you seen OP?

Have you seen Operation Mince Meat? It’s fantastic.

The real question is how do you feel about Singin’ In The Rain, @Ittakeslonger ?

If you love that movie I think you are fine.

If you like that but not many currently staged musicals, YANBU because it’s just a matter of taste.

If you dislike that movie you have a withered black heart and I’m not sure what could save you.

Probably not but I have learnt that when you post something there's always at least one person who likes to be disparaging.

They're mostly shit with awful songs but there are a few exceptions. West Side Story, Sound of Music (mostly for the story tbh) and Grease. But I'd never want to see a live performance of any of them.

Phew! I do like that film!

Musical. And, as nobody's explained why links are bad form, here's a link to (sadly) the brilliant film version finale: A

Gotta love Renee Zellweger.

I find musicals really, really dull. When a song starts I just feel an impending sense of doom until it ends and the acting starts again. I can't tell what they are saying and I don't know why they have to sing it.

The only one I have ever enjoyed is Little Shop of Horrors. Still love it now.

Oh not sure . Loads . Maybe over 30 on stage. Many more on film.
Not seen operation mincemeat though. Interesting subject for a musical

Much prefer Renee in Bridget Jones!

You might like this… comedy sketch very much taking the piss out of musicals!