Musical Hatred

Just got back from photographing the first act of the school production of The Music Man. And may I state how much I hate this particular production?

It's not the costumes. It's not the set. It's not the actors. It's not entirely the music itself. But that book and those lyrics...

( One Small Example-Sadder-But-Wiser Girl For Me )

I wanted to scream.

It's insipid. And sickly-sweet. Don't get me wrong, our Hill is a wonderful actor, but I can't help but feel that he'd be a much better Sweeney Todd. Or Jack. And our Marian Paroo (oh the horror of the names...) isn't half-bad herself. Even if she tries to sound like an opera soprano.

But the lyrics... Never have I felt such utter loathing and hatred for a musical. The story doesn't do much for me either. Spunky-young-(educated)-woman-who-doesn't-want-to-marry-a-man-who'll-make-her-give-up-all-she's-done meets (and eventually falls for) con-man-with-a-heart-of-gold-who-sees-the-error-in-his-ways-thanks-to-the-residents-of-a-small-town.

Horrors.

And I've got to sit through it again on Thurday. The entire production.

Damn it-now I need to find my copy of Sweeney Todd and blast it.