2008 Woodie Awards
When it comes to musicals, I'll pass, thanks
By Lisbeth Wells-Pratt
Rocket Columnist
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Opinion
One thing I have never understood is the appeal of musicals.
Disney's "High School Musical 2" set a record in 2007 as the most-watched basic cable program ever, with 17.2 million viewers. I can't figure out the appeal of singing and dancing teenagers, much less the mass appeal of doing musicals, rather than real drama, in high school.
When did this change occur? When did a whole bunch of high schools get together and decide, as a group, that they would make musicals the backbone of their "drama" departments, and keep a strict cycle of worn-out musicals that they all perform?
What happens if, say, Communist Martyrs High School wants to do "Batboy: The Musical," but it's not on the list of approved musicals? Does Morescience High School get bent out of shape because they're sticking to the list and doing "Oklahoma!"?
I guess musicals have such mass appeal because they're entertaining, albeit, to me, a little goofy. They've got catchy tunes, but I can't get over the fact that some are just silly.
Strange things happen in plays, but these happenings are not as strange as people jumping around and all being able to dance in a choreographed, synchronized way.
It just looks weird. I prefer my theatre to be entirely singing and dancing, or strictly dialogue. A soundtrack is nice, but when it becomes a centerpiece in the play, you've lost me.
However, there are a few musicals out there that really seem interesting. They might be nontraditional, but nothing says entertaining to me like "Anne Frank: A Song to Life."
Anne Frank. As a musical. There's apparently is a musical regarding Anne Frank. Despite the lack of dancing (and everyone knows it's not a real musical without the dancing), it seems thoroughly entertaining. There's even a dog. A German Shepherd, to be precise. It wasn't enough for the world to just read about Anne Frank, or watch a movie about Anne Frank.
We had to put her story to catchy tunes and throw it on the stage for all the world to see. Her last living relative, cousin Buddy Elias, doesn't like it, but I don't really think I blame him.
Disney's "High School Musical 2" set a record in 2007 as the most-watched basic cable program ever, with 17.2 million viewers. I can't figure out the appeal of singing and dancing teenagers, much less the mass appeal of doing musicals, rather than real drama, in high school.
When did this change occur? When did a whole bunch of high schools get together and decide, as a group, that they would make musicals the backbone of their "drama" departments, and keep a strict cycle of worn-out musicals that they all perform?
What happens if, say, Communist Martyrs High School wants to do "Batboy: The Musical," but it's not on the list of approved musicals? Does Morescience High School get bent out of shape because they're sticking to the list and doing "Oklahoma!"?
I guess musicals have such mass appeal because they're entertaining, albeit, to me, a little goofy. They've got catchy tunes, but I can't get over the fact that some are just silly.
Strange things happen in plays, but these happenings are not as strange as people jumping around and all being able to dance in a choreographed, synchronized way.
It just looks weird. I prefer my theatre to be entirely singing and dancing, or strictly dialogue. A soundtrack is nice, but when it becomes a centerpiece in the play, you've lost me.
However, there are a few musicals out there that really seem interesting. They might be nontraditional, but nothing says entertaining to me like "Anne Frank: A Song to Life."
Anne Frank. As a musical. There's apparently is a musical regarding Anne Frank. Despite the lack of dancing (and everyone knows it's not a real musical without the dancing), it seems thoroughly entertaining. There's even a dog. A German Shepherd, to be precise. It wasn't enough for the world to just read about Anne Frank, or watch a movie about Anne Frank.
We had to put her story to catchy tunes and throw it on the stage for all the world to see. Her last living relative, cousin Buddy Elias, doesn't like it, but I don't really think I blame him.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jill MacRitchie
posted 4/11/08 @ 1:40 PM EST
I actually really enjoy musicals. I honestly wish my life was a musical and at the finale, my life would instantly get better. Musicals are NOT realistic, which is why children and teens love them. (Continued…)
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