A few people in that other thread are listing dozens of musicals, leading me to wonder if they are listing their favorites or simply dropping names . . .
List here musicals you hate. Double points in the "Emperor's New Clothes" category if they are musicals that everybody claims to love that you think are horribly overrated.
My list:
Cats Starlight Express Les Miserables The King and I Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
oh, crud . . . how did I forget Chicago?
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
You're serious?
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
Cats is terrible, I agree. I also thinks Crazy for You needs to be hauled off into the street and shot.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Singing in the Rain
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Carousel
No words can express the depths of my disgust for that musical.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Carousel has some great and memorable songs, but the idea behind it really bugs me.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Stop naming all my favourite musicals! Crazy for You is cheesy... but fun.
I don't know whether to be completely heartbroken or laugh at myself.
EDIT: Not carousel though, and the King and I. Although I saw it at Stratford and it was quite spectacular.
[ March 17, 2004, 11:46 AM: Message edited by: Teshi ]
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Jinx!!!!
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
I can't really think of any I don't like, except Carmen which is actually an opera. I really didn't enjoy it.
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
We just saw Cats and I really liked it. We saw a co-worker of Tom's there, though, who didn't know anything about it beforehand and didn't realize that THERE IS NO PLOT! *giggle* Its more a ballet than a musical. She was disappointed.
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
Carousel is the worst, the absolute worst. Oklahoma (except for two songs) Finian's Rainbow Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Flower Drum Song Kiss Me Kate
I'm sure I'll think of more later. Just now, I remembered another favorite that I'll have to add to the other Musicals thread.
Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
*pat pat*
I don't like Cats or Starlight because they don't have a plot . . . they are all spectacle. I'm not a big fan of Webber anyway, but to me those two are his worst--
Ooh, wait, I forgot Song and Dance. Yeah, that sucks too.
Anyway, I didn't like King and I because . . . how to put this . . . the songs suck. (other than the one, of course. The Music Man has the same problem.)
Les Miserables because it makes me want to go jump out a window. And shoot myself while in the air. With a noose tied around my neck.
And Chicago because all the characters are reprehensible human beings, and I generally need to like some characters to like a work.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Ah, but Cats does have a plot. *ahem* A pretty, er, terrible one, but there is a 'story'.
So all the cats come together for their annual Jellicle Ball thing. At the ball, one of them will be chosen to go on to the Cat heaven. Much of the rest of the musical is a list of nominees, as it were, except for the occaisional entrance of Macavity, who stirs up trouble by kidnapping the Old Old Cat (whatever his name is).
At the end, they sum up what you have learnt about Cats and one of the cats is chosen to go on to the cat afterlife.
Starlight Express has a similar 'plot', actually. But they're on roller skates. How cool is that? Granted, I saw it when I was seven or eight, but I loved it then.
Personally, my least favourite musical I have seen or been in is South Pacific. It was no fun at all.
[ March 17, 2004, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Teshi ]
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Starlight Express and Carousel are both pretty terrible, yeah.
Are we sticking to musicals which have played on Broadway? Because there are LOTS of really horrific musicals out there.
[ March 17, 2004, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: TomDavidson ]
Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
As I said, no plot.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
Starlight ExpressisCats.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to like one and not the other, unless it's the unoriginality of Starlight you object to.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Annie Get Your Gun is my least favorite of musicals I’ve actually been in. Although that may have had as much to do with the director and choreographer as the play itself. But after I read the real story of how that shooting contest turned out, it made me hoppin’ mad.
Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
Hey Dana . . . I've scrupulously stayed out of Bob's thread so far. Should I click on it?
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Showboat.
Although that may have had more to do withthe fact that the entire day was crummy.
But I didn't really enjoy it a lot.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Only if you have a very high tolerance for mushiness.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Icarus...you must do what you must do.
Yeah, it's safe, just mushy!!!
Oh, and Oh Calcutta! is probably the worst play I've ever seen, and it has music, so I guess it counts as a musical.
Sweeney Todd is the weirdest musical, but it's not bad, it's good.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
No one has said Evita ?
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
I just remembered the one and only musical that is worse than Carousel. It's audience is somewhat limited, but I'd bet that close to 50% of the posters here have either seen it or have some passing familiarity with it.
Saturday's Warrior
Written by Lex de Azevedo (or Lex de Raw Potato, as my former seminary teacher/bishop used to say), this is the hideously cheesy and utterly blasphemous story of a Mormon family, beginning in heaven before they are all born, continuing through the adolescence of the oldest children.
In its heyday, this show did more damage to the testimonies of young LDS people (in my opinion) than almost any other human contrivance in history. It has been relied upon as quasi-scripture by countless gullible Mormons, and praised for its great "music" and "humor" when in fact it has none of either.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Showboat is extremely mushy.
EDIT: I did MISinterpret a few posts up there. However, Showboat is still a mushy musical, so I'll leave it at that.
[ March 17, 2004, 12:04 PM: Message edited by: Teshi ]
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Phantom of the Opera
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
A Chorus Line
The ones Icarus listed
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
What Icarus failed to mention is that Starlight Express is Cor's favorite musical. But, according to her, you have to see it with the original London staging or it just doesn't work.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Miss Saigon
*gak*
Dagonee
Posted by Lime (Member # 1707) on :
South Pacific
I'm generally pretty easy to please when it comes to musicals, but SP is an exception. Easily the most horrible thing I've ever seen on stage.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Love Boat--The Musical Episode.
Posted by Jill (Member # 3376) on :
Hey! The Buffy musical episode was excellent.
The Boyfriend is an excellent stage musical, but I can't say the same about the movie (Twiggy should never try to sing).
I like Les Miz, actually.
Rent- I like it, but it's much overrated. And Music Man is way too long.
Posted by Jaiden (Member # 2099) on :
Phantom of the Opera
UGGH! I have seen it so manytimes and not once have I enjoyed it.
Stupid people dragging me to it time and time again Posted by Dreamwalker (Member # 4189) on :
o.k I put The Rocky Horror Picture show in the other thread coz it is really good, but in a cheesy, over the top way. It's also really bad the alien transvestite does squick a few people out funnily enough it is also promoted as a family show... and our former Prime Minister (Robert Muldoon) was the narrator for a while complete with his fish-net stockings.... You guys really should see it Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an absolutely awful movie. What's great about it is the experience of seeing it in a theater with regulars (and a shadow cast, if you're lucky). The audience participation makes that movie.
Renting it and watching it at home . . . ugh . . .
-o-
btw, How to Stop Being a Rocky Horror Newbie More Quickly: Sneak a tape recorder into the theater with you, then rent the movie and watch it with the tape playing until you learn all the responses.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Good Lord. If we had known that a virgin had brought in a tape recorder, we would have had that kid up on stage with us for the whole friggin' show. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
What Icky said....
...is right
Rocky Horror can only be appreciated at the theatre -- because it is the audience that makes it work -- the show itself is horrible.
Farmgirl
*holding newspaper over her head*
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I tried watching Rocky Horror at a free showing at a sci-fi con once. I left within ten minutes. I don't remember much about the movie, but the audience was horribly vulgar.
Posted by Dreamwalker (Member # 4189) on :
EEEWWWWWWWWWW why would you watch it at home by yourself *sick puppies* you watch it LIVE at MIDNIGHT if you can't see a live show then I guess the movie at the theatre would be o.k but not by yourself *shudders* the whole point is the audience is part of the show
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
I hated Carousel ( horrible idea in there, if the man who loves you hits you it doesn't really hurt?) Don't like Seven Brides...for much the same reason...if a bunch of guys kidnap a bunch or girls, the girls will come to love them?
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
Listen, the Buffy Musical episode was a fun EPISODE but not a GOOD MUSICAL. it's just not, folks. one reason being that nothing happens besides mustard stains and a not-surprising kiss.
Bad Musicals: Jesus Christ Superstar Side Show Lion King
Most musicals I can deal with as long as they're Done Well. But most musicals are not Done Well. So most musicals end up Bad. Those three musicals I feel are Inherently Bad. I've seen them all Done Well and still Haven't Liked Them At All.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
"I don't remember much about the movie, but the audience was horribly vulgar."
*clutches chest, stricken almost dumb with laughter*
I'm trying to imagine a Mormon walking unsuspecting into a live showing of RHPS: "O my stars! You people should all be ashamed of yourselves!" Posted by Nato (Member # 1448) on :
I was in a high school pit orchestra for CarouselThe only fun part about it was the pranks we pulled on the cast at the pickup rehearsal.
"This was a real nice clambake, We're mighty glad we came. The vittles we et were good, you bet! The company was the same."
*sigh*
Edit: UBB Code not HTML..
[ March 17, 2004, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Nato ]
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
Les Miserables? They should call it More Miserables.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Everytime I see Charles Gray in a movie or TV show, I have to physically stop myself from yelling, "That man has no f*&^ing neck!"
Dagonee
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I have a similar but not identical problem whenever I see Barry Bostwick. Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Must have made watching Spin City difficult.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Among other things, yes. Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
quote: What Icarus failed to mention is that Starlight Express is Cor's favorite musical. But, according to her, you have to see it with the original London staging or it just doesn't work.
Well there you go. I saw it in London a while back. And it WAS good.
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Terrible musical: Paint Your Wagon. Clint Eastwood should NOT sing.
I loved Cats and Starlight Express. I saw both in London in the mid-80s.
And I loved Les Miserables. There's something to love about a stage production that makes you sob by the end.
I didn't love Into the Woods, but maybe it's just me.
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
Paint Your Wagon is soooo good. You're right that Eastwood should not sing, except in this movie. All the awfulness in that movie really come together into something magical.
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
I hate The Lion King. I only saw it once, in the theatre, but I nearly hurled. This is not the main reason that I dislike it (I've got plenty of those), but I find it amusing that Disney tried to reach out to the African-American audience with this made-up pseudo-African fable, and cast in the lead roles Matthew Broderick and Johnathan Taylor-Thomas. And let the music be done by Elton John. Even in a movie set in Africa, James Earl Jones still somehow ends up as the token black guy. What's next? The Martin Luther King story, starring Carrot Top?
Oh, and I could never stand Phantom of the Opera either.
[ March 18, 2004, 09:20 AM: Message edited by: Speed ]
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Hehehe No neck. By the by, I had that Brad problem when I saw that Pepsi Twist commercial where the guy didn't know who Barry Bostwick was. Alas, despite having seen the movie no few times, and despite performing the Time Warp in my HS talent show, I have yet to go to a showing. (sadness)
I disliked West Side Story, but only because of how much I hate Romeo and Juliet. The music was pretty good.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
BUT I really loved the episode of the Simpsons where they watch "Paint Your Wagon." Listening to "Clint Eastwood" sing in that one is hilariously painful. It's one Simpsons moment that never fails to make me roll.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Ryuko, you're in Bloomington, right? Would you like me to try to locate a screening?
IIRC, from my years there, Bloomington IS shockingly Rocky-deprived.
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Actually, St. Paul, MN. I know where one is, a bunch of my friends from HS went there a couple of times. I'm thinking about trying to mobilize my college friends into a trip, but they're so so lazy. I can't remember the name of the theater, but I know there's one in the cities somewhere, I think its the first and third Saturday of the month or something.
[ March 18, 2004, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Ryuko ]
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
There's more than one, I think. Would you like me to get you an address?
On second thought -- would you like me to set you up with a date who knows exactly where they are and has costumes and stuff? ::happy matchmaker vibes go into action::
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
I can't tell you all how relieved I am that no LDS hatrackers have spoken up to defend Saturday's Warrior. You people rock.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I'm trying to imagine a Methodist minister setting up a blind date for the Rocky Horror Picture Show and having some trouble with that mental image. Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
"Gonna paint the wagon, Gonna paint it fine, Gonna use oil-based paint because the wood is pine."
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Date...?
(hides) But I'm just a child!!!
(serious) I don't know. I'd kind of like to go with my friends. Strangers terrify me.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
He's not that strange,
Oh wait . . . yes he is.
Tom: Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
I dunno... Email me about it.
Posted by skrika03 (Member # 5930) on :
Carousel was really creepy.
I saw Rocky Horror when I was a kid. Youthful rebellion and hanging out in the drama clique. What's weird is my sister massively decried my going, but when she went with her friends she dressed up in a French maid outfit. MPH, did you see it in Utah? maybe the RHPS in Utah is worse. It seems everything in Utah that is bad is much worse than everywhere else.
I just want you all to know I hated the French from way back in the late 80's. And Les Miz has a lot to do with it.
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
I didn't like Les Miserables... OK, mostly I hated it... it's a case of TOO much plot; the original Les Miz was ~1,200 pages -- almost as long as War and Peace -- and to squeeze it into a 90-minute musical... butchery. Watching it was like watching a farce. And to turn Thernadier into a lovable scamp, after he'd abused Cosette... ugh. It'd be like turning Bonso into a lovable scamp in the Ender's Game musical...
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
hue manatee
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
quote: IIRC, from my years there, Bloomington IS shockingly Rocky-deprived.
*raises hand* I live here, and I've never seen it.
Les Mis I hated until I was in it... now I like it much better.
Bad musicals: Pollen Showboat THE SOUND OF MUSIC -- I must be the only person on this planet to not like it. The Music Man State Fair
When I think of more, I'll post them.
Posted by Tiger Eye (Member # 6353) on :
i hate 'the sound of music' with a burning passion.
although i thought evita was good.
Posted by Tiger Eye (Member # 6353) on :
yah. the music man sucked too. i fell asleep when they had it on tv.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Tiger Eye: You ROCK!
*high fives*
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
The Sound of Music is a better movie than it is a Musical.
Posted by Ayelar (Member # 183) on :
My mom used to take my little brother and I to all sorts of musicals at the local community theater. I think it was supposed to represent high culture, with all the townspeople all dressed up and the dimming of the lights and the pinkies in the air and such.
So I was surprised, as I grew up, to discover that all the musicals I'd seen were about as intellectually stimulating as The Price is Right. I mean, really! The same goes for the operas I saw and studied in high school... man, talk about mind-numbing plots. Are there any musicals or operas that are more than just spectacle with a few thinly-woven plot strings? That are meant to be entertaining to someone over the age of 10?
Posted by Ayelar (Member # 183) on :
Musicals I've seen on stage, all before the age of 12: Annie Bye Bye Birdie Sound of Music Der Fledermaus Pirates of Penzance (my favorite, because they involved the audience) Guys and Dolls HMS Pinafore South Pacific Wizard of OZ Phantom of the Opera another one about a boat that I can't remember the name of.
Musicals I've seen on film, mostly before the age of 12: Unsinkable Molly Brown Hello, Dolly Music Man My Fair Lady Annie Sound of Music Pirates of Penzance Evita Gypsy Grease Guys and Dolls Oklahoma South Pacific Singin in the Rain Showboat The King and I West Side Story Wizard of OZ and recently, Chicago.
And they all STANK. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
ANNIE!
That's the one I forgot. I don't like Annie at all.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
I'm suprised it took so long for someone to mention Jesus Christ Superstar...
Posted by Ayelar (Member # 183) on :
You know, there is one good musical I've seen... Bjork's Dancer in the Dark. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, for the same reasons I wouldn't recommend "American History X" to anyone, but it was a much more powerful story than your usual song-and-dance spectacle. Still not the best, and I had huge problems with some of the ways it was told, but it was definitely compelling and thought-provoking. And the the music and dance are pretty incredible at times. "I've seen it all" is amazing.
[ March 28, 2004, 12:35 PM: Message edited by: Ayelar ]
Posted by Tiger Eye (Member # 6353) on :
wow. raia, right on.
annie is like a knife to the brain.
and i actually saw hms pinafore a few days ago, put on by my highschool. i was somewhat impressed, considering its a highschool.
i didnt like the fantasticks that much....it was ok but i dont want to see it again.
hm...i like cats cause im a dance freak and they've got some awsome scenes in it. but the lyrics bite.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I went to see Jersey Girl last night (the one with Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler) and there's this whole thing with Cats and Sweeney Todd...and it's really really funny. It blatantly paints Cats as the BAD musical and Sweeney Todd as the...well, the weird one. (I think it's the fantastic musical!) It was really cute. (The rest of the movie was pretty mediocre and somewhat raunchy in parts, so I don't recommend it.)
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
quote: but the lyrics bite.
Funnily enough, this must be one of the few (if the only) musical/s set to the writings of a very famous poet. Posted by Ryan Hart (Member # 5513) on :
STATE FAIR IS THE WORST MUSICAL IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND.
I loathe it with the fire of a thousand suns.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Why don't you tell us how you really feel Ryan?
It's good to see you, I miss your posts.
Posted by Ryan Hart (Member # 5513) on :
Why thank you. Subtlty has never been my strong suit. I've had massive computer problems of late.
Posted by Armoth (Member # 4752) on :
Les Miserables is one of the best shows ever to hit broadway! Just the music....is amazing!
Lion King is TERRIBLEY overrated. Cmon, nice costumes, but thats IT.
Into the woods bored me to tears!
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
I like some of the songs from "Into the Woods" ("Into the Woods," "Agony"), and I like the plot and some of the dialogue... but it just doesn't jell somehow, too stiff or something...
Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
I loved the blame song from Into the Woods .
Cabaret stank. It was just off-the-wall psycho weird.
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
Ic, I didn't get a very clear sense of exactly why you hate Les Miserables so much. Do you dislike the story? The lyrics? The music? The staging? All of the above?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I enjoy the memory of watching a video of a performance of Sweeney Todd, but I saw it after being home from my mission for about six days.
Not a good idea. I was horrified.
Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
The music (boring and depressing) and the story (ditto). It may have been a fantastic novel, but as a musical it's just absurd . . . I honestly found myself laughing hysterically at how sad everything was. For hours afterward, actually, I was making up phony, bathos-filled songs that could have gone well in that show.
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
State Fair's another one I had forgotten about. I've still never managed to finish watching the whole thing.
The opening song is so bad it's good.
Our State Fair is a great State Fair. Don't miss it, don't even be late And it's dollars to donuts that our State Fair Is the best State Fair in our State.
It says something about my mother and her irrational love of all musicals that, when we moved to Texas, the thing she wanted to do most was go to the state fair and see the huge talking cowboy statue.
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
Interesting. I actually rather enjoy the music to Les Miserables. I could understand not liking the lyrics or finding the story overly melodramatic, but I've always thought it was musically quite good. ::shrug::
Posted by fil (Member # 5079) on :
Forbidden Broadway is a must for folks who dislike these musicals...or for folks who like them but can laugh at them! Les Mis (I hate it...and I really dig musicals) gets it really good...like songs about dreaming about days when people weren't blowing money on t-shirts with "starving paupers on" them and a great overview of the entire musical in about 1 minute, capturing the ludicrous amount of plot and character details. Very funny.
fil
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I am not a fan of musicals, but I have to admit to enjoying Paint Your Wagon.
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
Danny Kaye used to do a comedy bit poking fun at the cookie-cutter musicals of his day. He even included in his first big movice, Up In Arms.
The stereotypical musical in his routine is a Western.
"Up from the gulch comes a hunk of man. He is our hero, Cowboy Dan, A yodeling-odeling buckaroo. . . His horse, of course, is a baritone, too."
It was a riot. Actually, the whole movie was hilarious, and it probably counts as a musical itself. After all, the supporting actress is Dinah Shore.
Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :
I dislike "April In Paris," an old Doris Day movie musical with Ray Bolger. Doris is great, but those scarecrow legs in the serious dance numbers...what a joke!
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the alien transvestite does squick a few people out ![[Evil Laugh]](graemlins/evillaugh.gif)
funnily enough it is also promoted as a family show... and our former Prime Minister (Robert Muldoon) was the narrator for a while complete with his fish-net stockings.... ![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
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It's good to see you, I miss your posts.