Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The Best Musical...Ever! NOT!

For those of you who don't know, I love musical theater. And this year for the first time I was able to get season's tickets to our local theater, Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC). I have seen several Broadway shows, but there are many that I have not seen. This season's lineup was perfect, because I hadn't seen any of the shows coming and most of them were shows I was excited to see. Well, last night Madeleine (my 14 year old daughter) and I went to see A Chorus Line. We were both excited about this, because the show was basically about dancing and singing (which is what we both love). All the advertisements for the show called it "The Best Musical.... Ever." I was getting goosebumps, I was so excited.

Can I just tell you that it was THE most B-O-R-I-N-G show I have EVER seen! I kid you not. The basic story is that a bunch of dancers are auditioning to be in the chorus of a Broadway show. And that is the whole show. One big audition. So...no sets, no costumes, very few songs and very little dancing. Just lots of whiny dialogue about how each person came to be at this audition. *YAWN* OK, I will admit that the finale was good. The FINALE. Finally the big production number that they had been rehearsing...for the whole show. And they even wore glittery costumes and sang one of the two recognizable songs from the show (which they had been singing parts of during the whole "audition"). It was terrible. Madeleine didn't like it either.

As we were walking to our car, Madeleine and I were talking about this very thing. Now, we weren't being mean or overly critical, we were just saying that we didn't like the show too much. Apparently we offended a man walking ahead of us because he turned around and said, "It is the longest playing show on Broadway, you know." Well, no, I didn't know. And frankly that surprises me, but it doesn't change my opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right? Including me. So if you've seen A Chorus Line and loved it, I'm happy for you. Apparently, you are not alone. If you've seen it and didn't like, I'm with you. And if you haven't see it, just keep in mind that this is just my opinion and I seem to be in the minority. After all, this is not the first time I haven't liked a show that everyone else loves. I really didn't like Mama Mia and I think I'm the only person on the planet who didn't like Wicked. Of course, don't just take my word for it. Madeleine didn't like it either.
Image from Google images

11 comments:

mommakin said...

I love musical theater, too. I haven't seen this show, so I have no opinion...

Once, in college, I had to attend an evening of avant garde music. It was all very pretentious. I listened respectfully and kept all of my eye-rolling to myself. Some others (who were, I assume, there because they were required to be, as I was) were less quiet about their opinions. I will never forget a young man all in black indicating these kids to his companion and saying "They laugh. Because they don't understand." At this point it was much harder for me to retain my composure, because every fiber of my being wanted to tell him, "no, they laugh because it is pretentious and stupid." But I didn't. Sigh.

Pam said...

Hi Tammy - I wonder what his reaction would have been if you HAD said that. Priceless, I'm sure!

Bridget said...

Well bummer... I wish you would have liked it more. At least you have season tickets though! Maybe the next one will be better!

Pam said...

Hi Mommy - I hope so, too. But, I don't consider it a complete loss. I really do love musical theater so every show I see feels like a gift. The next one is Spring Awakening, which I have heard some questionable things about. So, we'll see.

Madeleine (the 14 year old daughter) said...

That show was so bad, it was like it never really started, I was waiting for the plot to thinken and NOTHING...NOOOTTHHIIINNGGGG!!And There was some pointless and frankly dirty topics included in the somgs that just made it seem trashy and giant.waste.of.my.time.! I advise everyone STRONGLY to ABSOLUTLY NOT waste your time and money on this "performance", it was frustrating how over rated it was.

Pam said...

Hi Madeleine - Don't hold back, honey. Tell us how you REALLY feel! LOL!

Debbie said...

And that is why we have vanilla and chocolate. Different tastes! That man needed to chill.

Pam said...

Well said, Debbie!

Gisele said...

I had the unfortunate experience of going to see the play Saturday night. It was certainly disappointing and the one of the worst plays I have ever seen. My friend and I could not stay awake, but sat through the play because we didn't want to disturb the others in our row by leaving early.

Pam said...

Gisele!! I love that... "unfortunate experience". Too bad you didn't have aisle seats. And you couldn't even leave during intermission - since there wasn't one. I think they do that on purpose.

Bethany said...

Oh that's a bummer! I am not a fan of musicals at all, but three of my siblings are in two of them in the next two weekends, so like the good big sis I try to be, off I go... ;)

 

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