Quote:
Originally posted by DeltAlum
Two comments:
First, Sondheim is amazing -- but both of my actor kids think he's also Satan. His stuff is incredibly difficult to sing. They were both in Into the Woods (Baker's Wife and Jack). Daughter has also been in a couple of other Sondheim things, and son was just in A Little Night Music. They both love him -- probably because he is so challenging.
Second, agreed that there is nothing "deep" about Phantom, but I'm not sure there's anything wrong with "theatre for the masses." Isn't that what it's supposed to be? How would the arts be supported without us "masses?" Or is theatre supposed to only be enjoyed by an elite group of musical theatre snobs?
If Sir Andrew and Sir Elton and the boys from Abba can add some excitement to the arts for someone who might not otherwise go to the theatre, I'm certainly not going to take them to task.
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There's nothing wrong with theatre for the masses. But it really bugs me when people gush on and on and on about how Phantom is the best Broadway show ever. I just feel that the acclaim its gotten (and money its made) is grossly disproportionate to the quality of the show. Its all production and little substance. Its Broadway's version of an action movie.
I forgot to put Ragtime on my list. Saw it in NYC a few years back and it was exceptional. It had a good balance of production values and substance.