The Musical Theater Thread

[awfullyquiet]

Because you 13 year old girls can't get enough of quality music theatre...

[SuperKevin]

Greatest post ever

[Turtlepower]

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown was one of my favorite productions that I saw on Broadway. It starred Kristin Chenowith and B.D. Wong (Psychologist on L&O: SVU). It was pretty damn awesome if you ask me.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Awesome.

My Top 20 List (only shows I've seen can be on it):

1. Pippin
2. Assassins
3. Mystery of Edwin Drood
4. Les Mis
5. Evita
6. Rent
7. Jesus Christ Sueprstar
8. Tick...Tick..BOOM
9. Avenue Q
10. A New Brain
11. Sweeney Todd
12. Ragtime
13. 1776
14. Merrily We Roll Along
15. Bat Boy
16. Dreamgirls
17. The Full Monty
18. The Rocky Horror Show
19. Fiddler On The Rood
20. Blood Brothers

[Bruce Banner]

If anyone else made this thread it would be **** on.

Just sayin'.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Into the Woods was late Sondheim. 1987 in fact. It was after Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, Gypsy, Company, Follies and a few others.

Well, he only did the lyrics to West Side. But ITW was not his best work. Sweeney, Company, and Merrily are right up there. Gypsy is a bit niche, as is Follies IMO.

[SuperKevin]

My parents took me to see Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Hair when I was like 11 years old. Tommy was awesome. i could do without the full frontal nudity in Hair.

[Turtlepower]

JBond, I respect you so much more for putting Bat Boy on that list!

[Shane P. Hallam]

Ah, Hair is sweet. Never saw a full nude production, but my brother was Claude in college, and OSU did it a few years back and I saw it.


Ha, Bloomsburg is doing Bat Boy actually. I almost auditioned, but Grad School is too much work (and I'd have to miss the OSU/PSU game).

[Dr. Gonzo]

Awesome.

My Top 20 List (only shows I've seen can be on it):

1. Pippin
2. Assassins
3. Mystery of Edwin Drood
4. Les Mis
5. Evita
6. Rent
7. Jesus Christ Sueprstar
8. Tick...Tick..BOOM
9. Avenue Q
10. A New Brain
11. Sweeney Todd
12. Ragtime
13. 1776
14. Merrily We Roll Along
15. Bat Boy
16. Dreamgirls
17. The Full Monty
18. The Rocky Horror Show
19. Fiddler On The Rood
20. Blood Brothers

I love me some Assasins. I got to do a read through with other actors were I played Lee Harvey Oswald which was pretty sweet. The lack of Sweeney Todd though is disturbing.

[Turtlepower]

I love me some Assasins. I got to do a read through with other actors were I played Lee Harvey Oswald which was pretty sweet. The lack of Sweeney Todd though is disturbing.

Wasn't NPH Lee Harvey Oswald?

[Shane P. Hallam]

I love me some Assasins. I got to do a read through with other actors were I played Lee Harvey Oswald which was pretty sweet. The lack of Sweeney Todd though is disturbing.

Maybe you should read #11.

I saw the Revival with Neil Patrick Harris, and I wore out the original CD my brother gave me.

No, NPH was the Balladeer, Michael Cerveris (Tommy, Sweeney Revival,) was Booth.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Maybe you should read #11.

I saw the Revival with Neil Patrick Harris, and I wore out the original CD my brother gave me.

NPH as Oswald = epic win.

[SuperKevin]

No Hamlet 2?

[Shane P. Hallam]

NPH as Oswald = epic win.

Yup, he was very good. I knew I'd love it, actually seeing a remarkable cast made it so much more outstanding.

I've directed a few musicals and been in a buttload. I'm generally considered the musical expert by my friends.

[Turtlepower]

JBond, have you seen Godspell? Seeing as you're a fan of Pippin, I think you would enjoy that as well.

[Shane P. Hallam]

JBond, have you seen Godspell? Seeing as you're a fan of Pippin, I think you would enjoy that as well.

I've been in Godspell twice (Once as Judas), directed it once, seen it about six times.

In HS, I would see about 15-20 HS shows a year. Toss in some of Pittsburgh (one of the best theater cities in the country outside of NY,) touring shows, I've had a lot of exposure.

[SuperKevin]

I've directed a few musicals and been in a buttload. I'm generally considered the musical expert by my friends.

The word buttload should probably not be used in this thread

[Turtlepower]

I've been in Godspell twice (Once as Judas), directed it once, seen it about six times.

Do you just not enjoy it anymore because I didn't see it in your top-20.

[Bruce Banner]

The word buttload should probably not be used in this thread

It's rather fitting. (jk)

and I wonder how much money this industry is bringing in these days.

Did most of your showings take place at the university JBond?

[Brent]

Hooray unnecessary generalizations involving homosexuality and theatre!

[Shane P. Hallam]

Do you just not enjoy it anymore because I didn't see it in your top-20.

I like it, but it is so variable.

Godspell is the one show without a strict license in terms of not editing material. I've see people do it like the original and it sucked sooo hardcore.

If you put it in present context, it can be incredible and moving.

I directed Middle School students in it (6-8,) and did some cool stuff. Arnold Schwartzenegger (sp?) Sponge Bob, Bill Gates, the Simpsons.

The second production I was in was awesome. Full House skits, Austin Powers, etc. (this was in 2000ish)

[Bruce Banner]

Hooray unnecessary generalizations involving homosexuality and theatre!

No serious assertions.

[Shane P. Hallam]

It's rather fitting. (jk)

and I wonder how much money this industry is bringing in these days.

Did most of your showings take place at the university JBond?

I wasn't in the theater department. I did audition as a freshman, got called back for three shows and got a role, but quit to do a musical instead (OSU is a ****** musical theater school, GREAT straight theater school).

Anyway, I joined a student organization and did 42nd Street, Footloose, and Children of Eden.

I ran for director twice, and some political stuff kept me out of it. I was forced out by the directors who beat me my senior year, which sucked.

I co-own a theater company in Pittsburgh with a friend of mine, we do a show every summer, and will do a cabaret in January.

[Brent]

No serious assertions.
No way to tell but, regardless, I find it silly that people feel that being involved in theatre is somehow homosexual when just about everyone's favorite actor/actress almost undoubtedly did theatre at one point in their lives.

[dabears10]

No way to tell but, regardless, I find it silly that people feel that being involved in theatre is somehow homosexual when just about everyone's favorite actor/actress almost undoubtedly did theatre at one point in their lives.

Ben Foster didn't do theatre, he just started acting and people watched him.

[SuperKevin]

Ben Foster didn't do theatre, he just started acting and people watched him.

He was on the Disney Channel

[Shane P. Hallam]

Being close to New York at Grad. School, I may try to head up and see Billy Elliot and Shrek. I vaguely know the understudy to the role of Shrek (did shows with my brother,)

There are a few elusive musicals I have yet to see out there, but I have seen most (or they are old and crappy and I choose not to).

[Turtlepower]

Ben Foster didn't do theatre, he just started acting and people watched him.

We're referring to good actors in this argument.

[Shane P. Hallam]

I'd rather just go back to talking about musicals myself.

[Bruce Banner]

I think a lot of actors tend to go the musical route after they establish their careers. Hugh Jackman did that I think.

[Turtlepower]

I'd rather just go back to talking about musicals myself.

I'm thinking of taking my fiancee to a musical when we go back to NY this Christmas. I have note been in the Musical scene since coming to school in AZ. Any good recommendations?

[SuperKevin]

I once asked my wife if she wanted to go see a musical and she replied "Sure but can I borrow one of your tampons first"

No joke

[Dr. Gonzo]

I think a lot of actors tend to go the musical route after they establish their careers. Hugh Jackman did that I think.

You can go to hell with our Ben Fostehate. You are dead to me :(

[Bruce Banner]

You can go to hell with our Ben Fostehate. You are dead to me :(

Wait. What did I do?

[Turtlepower]

I think a lot of actors tend to go the musical route after they establish their careers. Hugh Jackman did that I think.

Russell Crowe played Dr. Frankenfurter form Rocky Horror Picture Show in a production in Australia. I'm dead serious here.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Wait. What did I do?

I read your post pre edit :(

[Bruce Banner]

I read your post pre edit :(

I said he's good and that's a rare grade from me. I usually just call most actors mediocre. He can become a god to me after I see more of his catalog.

[SuperKevin]

I said he's good and that's a rare grade from me. I usually just call most actors mediocre. He can become a god to me after I see more of his catalog.

Watch reruns of Flash Forward on the Disney Channel

[Shane P. Hallam]

I'm thinking of taking my fiancee to a musical when we go back to NY this Christmas. I have note been in the Musical scene since coming to school in AZ. Any good recommendations?

On Broadway? Not the best time at the end of the year, haha. Let's see:

If she likes Elton John at all, Billy Elliot should be the musical of the year.

Wicked is always a good one for the ladies and a big seller. May still be tough to get tickets.

If she likes Shrek, and you want something fun, you can check that out. Opens December 14th.

In the Heights seems incredible. I haven't heard a bad thing about it from anyone who went and saw it. Very interesting and different.

Then the usuals, Avenue Q, Mamma Mia, Spring Awakening, etc.

If you want something different for Off-Broadway:

Altar Boyz (which is kind of a knock of boy bands and the Catholic religion, but in a fun way). It's essentially a boy band concert of a Christian group made up of the stereotypes of boy bands (and a Jewish guy). Soundtrack has me rolling sometimes. Check out youtube.

[A Perfect Score]

I saw the Lion King when i was like 8...my contribution to the thread!

[Shane P. Hallam]

The Lion King is a horrendous musical, haha. Just like every Disney one except Beauty and the Beast.

[fischbowl]

Avenue Q is hilarious and TP's mention of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown saved him from eternal banishment after the Ben Fostehate.

Les Miz is a classic and I agree with the majority of JBond's list

[Shane P. Hallam]

Yeah, Les Mis is classic. The first show I ever saw on Broadway. Incredible music, taken from a classic novel, and an easy to follow Rock Opera.

[CashmoneyDrew]

I'm a Les Mis queen myself.

[S4L]

I saw Wicked last month when it came to the Benedum Center. It was all right, but it's definitely for the women. And it probably would have been a lot better with Kristen Chenoweth.

[Shane P. Hallam]

I saw Wicked last month when it came to the Benedum Center. It was all right, but it's definitely for the women. And it probably would have been a lot better with Kristen Chenoweth.

I saw it in Chicago early on. It was okay, I was a bit unimpressed due to the hype.


Anyway, after my senior year, my friend and I went to NY for a weekend. We went to Avenue Q (original,) and Assassins.

We also entered the Wicked lottery. What it is is a lottery for front row seats, they have 25. My friend and I put in, both circled to get 2 tickets. They go through, keep going, give out 24 tickets. The last one, they pull my friends name. Can only give him one ticket. Original cast and everything. Unreal.

I ended up going to Moving Out instead.

[TitleTown088]

Cheesus, who ever thought men on a football site would watch musicals?

West side story.

And my personal fav ( although no the version I was looking for but you get the jist)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ZtwbzUFZE

[dabears10]

Cheesus, who ever thought men on a football site would watch musicals?

West side story.

And my personal fav ( although no the version I was looking for but you get the jist)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ZtwbzUFZE

Jason Sigel was actually writing a dracula musical. I would go see it.

[TitleTown088]

Jason Sigel was actually writing a dracula musical. I would go see it.

Oh absolutely. It's the best part of that movie.

[fischbowl]

Oh absolutely. It's the best part of that movie.

And When I see Van Helsing I will slay him!

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

I went on a field trip in high school to Stratford, Ontario, where they have the "Stratford festival" and a bunch of plays that week or whatever. First night it was King Lear, very difficult to follow because I hadn't read it and had no clue what they were saying. Also, it was boring. Then, the second night was Oklahoma. I was dreading it a bit since I had never seen a musical and assumed they were all very Rudy Cool. But then when I saw it, it turned out to be amazingly well done. It was very, very funny as well, as Ali Hakim(for anyone who has seen it) is a funny funny character.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I went on a field trip in high school to Stratford, Ontario, where they have the "Stratford festival" and a bunch of plays that week or whatever. First night it was King Lear, very difficult to follow because I hadn't read it and had no clue what they were saying. Also, it was boring. Then, the second night was Oklahoma. I was dreading it a bit since I had never seen a musical and assumed they were all very Rudy Cool. But then when I saw it, it turned out to be amazingly well done. It was very, very funny as well, as Ali Hakim(for anyone who has seen it) is a funny funny character.

I also took a trip to Stratford with my grade 12 class 3 years ago. That is where I saw Into The Woods for the first time and a few other decent plays and then was able to ditch the trip with my friend to go to the Toronto International Film Festival.

[awfullyquiet]

King Lear is pretty BA

[Turtlepower]

King Lear is pretty BA

I'm a huge Macbeth fan. Seriously, the last act is just bad ass.

[Shane P. Hallam]

I was in Midsummer Night's Dream myself as Bottom. I do love Macbeth and Hamlet a lot.

[giantsfan]

Shakespeare really is off and on with me. It's all about the performance and setting whether some cast can pull off shakespeare for me or not. That said that woman sure could write plays.

[Vikes99ej]

I saw "Miss Saigon" a few weeks ago and I liked it.

[awfullyquiet]

I'm a huge Macbeth fan. Seriously, the last act is just bad ass.

note to all:

shakespeare's historical plays... like henry v. are pretty much the standard for awesomeness as well.

henry v has one of the greatest battle speeches of all time.

"This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day"

[Turtlepower]

I was in Midsummer Night's Dream myself as Bottom. I do love Macbeth and Hamlet a lot.

Midsummer Night's Dream is very well written, but it can be killed by the actors in it. I find that the people who take the roles too seriously in Midsummer Night's Dream usually end up doing a crappy job with the production. It is meant to be a fun play and the more that is conveyed to the audience the better received it is.

[Turtlepower]

note to all:

shakespeare's historical plays... like henry v. are pretty much the standard for awesomeness as well.

I read Julius Ceaser in 6th grade and it is still one of my favorite Shakespeare plays to this day. Brutus is one of my favorite characters in any body of literary work.

[awfullyquiet]

I read Julius Ceaser in 6th grade and it is still one of my favorite Shakespeare plays to this day. Brutus is one of my favorite characters in any body of literary work.

not to get all literary again... but. what's really cool is comparing dante's analysis of brutus to shakespeares analysis.

[Shane P. Hallam]

I saw "Miss Saigon" a few weeks ago and I liked it.

I have actually never seen Miss Saigon as the production is limited in terms of venue due to the helicopter (though, I'm not sure how really necessary it is?)

Anyway, by listening to the sound track so much, I can def. imagine it. Michel-Schonberg really nailed two in a row with Saigon and Les Mis, but he has really blown ever since.

[Gay Ork Wang]

Ive seen "We will Rock you" and "Fame" and both were awesome. The Story in fame was a lot better than in "We Will Rock You" but the songs in the latter one were definitely better

[Shane P. Hallam]

Ive seen "We will Rock you" and "Fame" and both were awesome. The Story in fame was a lot better than in "We Will Rock You" but the songs in the latter one were definitely better

Never seen We Will Rock You, but you can't go wrong with Queen.

Fame was on my Top 20 list for awhile. In 8th grade, my High School did an absolutely incredible production of it. Put it up there for me. Great great music, but the book is only sub-par as it is loosely based on the movie (though it assumes the movie is false and the musical is real life). It is quite possible for me to be directing Fame in 2010.

[Gay Ork Wang]

We will Rock you's story was weird, but the songs were just awesome.

Fame was the first Musical i have ever seen and it kinda knocked me of my socks. I was in 10th grade and you know, you just dont really feel like Musicals are cool at all. It was funny, it sounded really nice, it was essentially a disney movie for adults lol

[Shane P. Hallam]

We will Rock you's story was weird, but the songs were just awesome.

Fame was the first Musical i have ever seen and it kinda knocked me of my socks. I was in 10th grade and you know, you just dont really feel like Musicals are cool at all. It was funny, it sounded really nice, it was essentially a disney movie for adults lol

Glad you enjoyed it. They've edited the script some. It is interesting that a musical about theater was so enjoyable for you! That is pretty awesome.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Why has this thread died? It is epic.

[Turtlepower]

Why has this thread died? It is epic.

You really can only talk about musicals for so long. I watched Rocky Horror Picture Show last weekend and I forgot how insane the plot is. Though, Meatloaf is bad ass.

[Shane P. Hallam]

You really can only talk about musicals for so long. I watched Rocky Horror Picture Show last weekend and I forgot how insane the plot is. Though, Meatloaf is bad ass.

I could talk about them for the rest of my life.

Haha, yeah, it is nuts. A really good stage production is incredible though. So much subtext in such a niche show. I saw one great production at OSU.

Bloomsburg is doing Bat Boy this weekend, I'm going to go see it tomorrow night.