Aladdin and the King of Thieves
This adaptation of a childrens poety book by Nobel Prize winning T.S. Eliot is truely great fluff. Fun songs that mean nothing and a storyline (if you want to call it that) that is just as vapid. Every song except Memories was originally a simple poem. Whether or not you like cats this musical of souls presenting themselves for exceptance to the "Heavy Side Layer" (Kitty Heaven, well actually, just the next plane of kitty existance) is 2 1/2+ hours of geat music and dance. The variety of personalities range from humorous (like the Gumby cat Jennie-Any-Dots) to heart breaking (in the case of the faded beauty Grisabella). I used to really be in love with this play, and, while I still like the music, I have since discovered the true power of theater and learned that this play doesn't mean much more in the realm of theater than a big stick of cotton candy. But, of course, who doesn't like cotton candy? -- ***
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Elton John's The Road to El Dorado
Evita
Fiddler on the Roof
Fosse
Funny Girl
Funny Lady
Grease
Guys & Dolls
Gypsy
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Into the Woods
Jane Eyre
Jekyll & Hyde
Jesus Christ Superstar
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Kiss of the Spider Woman
La Cage Aux Follies
The Life
The Lion King
Little Shop of Horrors
Mamma Mia!
Mame
This is a touching story that tells a sweet story of love and society of the early 60's, while making fun of the pop culture at the same time. The movie was changed from the Broadway production in that Audrey II didn't win because of demographic disaproval when the movie was first previewed. Although many fans don't like the corny happy ending, and I can agree until I'm actually watch the movie, it's understandable why the producers changed the it. When you see the blissful Audrey float across the screen, I get a lump in my throat to even consider that she wouldn't end up with Seymour. The only true problem I have with the movie is that they cut The Meek Shall Inherit in half. That's not the wisest thing to do when it's one of the most intense songs that truely shows Seymours desperate pact with the devil. This production is a perfect example of what can be done with a horrible story (see the 1960's version the musical is based on) and change it into a great show. -- ***1/2
Mary Poppins
Miss Saigon
Moulin Rouge!
My Fair Lady
Naked Boys Singing
Oliver!
Being unfortunate enough to have never seen Phantom on stage and having only ever heard the Highlights CD, there's not much I can say. The songs are haunting and the opening makes me wish pipe organs were used more often in music. Recently I've heard of a controversy over whether this should be made into a movie. I know that Hollywood has destroyed musicals when put on screen (see the movie version of South Pacific no that's not your TV's color screwing up)but if directed right I think Phantom could be brilliant and possibly be better with the effects that can be provided when they step off stage. I know, you're probably saying I'd never say that if I'd seen it before, but I've seen a production on TV of the song Phantom of the Opera as it's done on stage and I think that a movie could make that scene slightly more gothic and beautiful that a boat going around in circles on a stage covered in dry ice. -- no rating since I haven't seen it yet.
Pippin
Prince of Egypt
Ragtime
Rent
The Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Scarlet Pimpernel
The Secret Garden
Seussical the musical
Shock Treatment
The Sound of Music
South Pacific
South Park Bigger,Longer, & Uncut
Sunset Blvd.
Toy Story 2
Victor, Victoria
West Side Story
Whistle Down the Wind
The Wild Party
Witches of Eastwick
THE WORST MUSICAL EVER
Carousel
I've recently had a conversation with a theatrical director who tells me I have misinterpreted the movie (which is sounds to me was piss poor as compare to the play which I have not seen). I'm keeping up this review for now but intend to change it upon seeing the movie again or maybe the play itself.
One of the things I hate the most about this musical is that I think one of Roger's and Hammerstien's greatest songs:You'll Never Walk Alone came out of this horrendous storyline. It's really tragic (the situation, not the story). I find it hard to like a play where one of the most touching lines is along the lines of "Yes it's possible for daddy to whack the hell out of you and for you to not feel a thing. As long as it's out of love." The whole time I was watching it I was analysing the dominant sexual context. I guess if one wants to be forgiving you can look at it as a product of the society it was written in, but this play offended me so that I'm not in the mood to be forgiving. Basically the only time this production should be seen is by a psychology class studying co-dependancy complexes.--*