Musical Hatred

[swordmage]

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...


Harold:
No wide-eyed, eager,
Wholesome innocent Sunday school teacher for me.
That kinda girl spins webs no spider ever--
Listen, boy--
A girl who trades on all that purity
Merely wants to trade my independence for her security.
The only affirmative she will file
Refers to marching down the aisle.
No golden, glorious, gleaming pristine goddess--
No sir!
For no Diana do I play faun.
I can tell you that right now.
I snarl, I hiss: How can ignorance be compared to bliss?
I spark, I fizz for the lady who knows what time it is.
I cheer, I rave for the virtue I'm too late to save
The sadder-but-wiser girl for me.
No bright-eyed, blushing, breathless baby-doll baby
Not for me.
That kinda child ties knots no sailor ever knew.
I prefer to take a chance on a more adult romance.
No dewy young miss
Who keeps resisting all the time she keeps insisting!
No wide-eyed, wholesome innocent female.
No sir.
Why, she's the fisherman, I'm the fish you see?--PLOP!
I flinch, I shy, when the lass with the delicate air goes by
I smile, I grin, when the gal with a touch of sin walks in.
I hope, and I pray, for a Hester to win just one more "A"
The sadder-but-wiser girl's the girl for me.
The 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.

Comments

[shieldmaidenjen.livejournal.com]

I abhor The Music Man almost as much as I hate Oklahoma! The storylines kill me! So fucking boring and cliched and annoying! I can't get over them and it ruins the enjoyment of any good music in those plays. Of course, lots of musicals from that era have really boring plots (to us now anyway) because that was just the time.

[anaid-rabbit.livejournal.com]

I think Ado Annie makes Oklahoma worth it. ;) I love her song and her general quirkiness.

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

I was sitting there and cringing. Both mentally and physically.

In 4 years here, we've only managed a single production I actually liked-Fiddle on the Roof, which was last year. The two before that were Fame and Footloose.

[lightpoint.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. I sat through them both too. And Fiddler DID kick ultimate ass compared to the previous two Unmentionables. The reason I didn't try out for Fame was because of that godawful script and utter plotlessness. Footloose was just 360 degrees of pure pain. But the thing is, in both the actors did a really good job with what they had to work with. We've got some enthusiastic mad talent at the Abbey. I give them props. ;) And kudos for the photo action.

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

Apparently the only people who really like Music Man are KASte and Ronan-the leads.

As seniors, they (if what I heard was correct) got to pick the damnable show.

[lightpoint.livejournal.com]

What the hell??!! Pick Jeckyl and Hyde for pete's sake!!

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

I know there's at least one person who wants My Fair Lady next year, and a growing number of Into the Woods converts.

I hold a special place in my heart for Sweeney Todd. Ronan would make a wonderful title role.

[lightpoint.livejournal.com]

My Fair Lady isn't so bad. I rather liked it growing up, and the romance is a bit more unconventional. And I just adore Into the Woods. So I guess there's still hope. Who picked Fiddler, I wonder?

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

My guess would be to ask Andy if he knew anything. the snazzy Rumor Mill says the Seniors with previous Musical Exerience have some clout.

[lightpoint.livejournal.com]

I would, but I haven't been in regular communication with him for awhile. Saw him once over Christmas, though.

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

Pity.

I was wondering what he was up to lately.

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

That should be "Kate" and Ronan.

I am the Valentine Fairy! You have been valentined! ;)

[anaid-rabbit.livejournal.com]

Re: I am the Valentine Fairy! You have been valentined! ;)

[swordmage.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

i needed that