What's The Bottom Line With Musicals?

Musicals

Introduction

This whole blog is just about Musicals, what we hate, what we love, and what we feel musicals should be about. But, for this to be fair I thought I think of a person who knows a bit about musical, and has lots of heart for the musical side of theatre. So, I have chosen Sam Morley, she studied with me at Edge Hill University and has a degree in Music and Sound with Drama, I have Visual Theatre BA. So, we have a great degrees with similar situations within the theatre. However, she knows more about the music and sound side of theatre, I am a musical lover and portrayed in a few myself. So, I hope you enjoy our answers to these firing questions.

1) Overrated Musical

Sam: The most overrated musical in my opinion is Rock of Ages. I recently saw the musical and whilst it was a very good show and the band were extremely talented. I think that it is hyped up a little too much, but a lot of its popularity comes from it being a jukebok musical wiht numerous 80s rock hits. So even though it is a good show I thought the story was lacking some depth in it.

Eddie: Shrek the Musical....I know it's got a talking Donkey but look. I love Shrek the Musical but I think it's quite overrated. I mean, the musical itself is like the film, they fill in the little gaps that you might be thinking about but that's about it. Still has the wonder and the magic that you expect from Dreamworks. But, all honesty since it's on DVD and Blu-Ray now why watch it on stage? I mean, don't get me wrong the songs are cheesy and funny but personally it's too much hyped and too much advertisement for this musical. Personally, it sells itself to the kids because they love Shrek, Donkey and all the other characters that follow. But, all in all it is very overrated for a musical stage production



2) Underrated Musical
Sam: The most underrated musical had got to be Avenue Q. This is one of my all time favourite musicals. It's combination of puppets and adult themes is genius! But unfortunately so many people I have spoken to have either never heard of this musical or haven't seen it. I have seen it three times and I would watch it many more.

Eddie: Forget the Tim Burton version of Sweeney Todd, because I have done a blog about this musical and I am being honest I feel that this version is better for the musical lovers. I love Angela Lansbury in this film! She is a great singer and a marvellous Miss. Lovett and I am really disappointed they didn't use the chorus in the Tim Burton style Sweeney Todd, they could of totally made it a creepier musical with the chorus involved.

3) Ideal Theme for your perfect musical

Sam I think a good theme for a musical would be based on magic. Whilst there are some musicals which have magic in them. I think theatre and magic go so well together and create such a spectacle for the audience. And I always think it is interesting when something happens on stage and I as an audience member have no idea how it was done.

Eddie: I would actually like a intelligent musical, something with mind games and conspiracies but in a funny way. Like the end of the world in 10 minutes, a song just what to do in 10 minutes, and actually makes you think about the songs and the characters.

4) Your favourite musical actor/actress?

Sam: My favourite musical actress has got to be Idina Menzel, there has recently been a lot of interest in Idina because of her role in the Disney film Frozen, as Elsa. But, this sometimes annoys me that people only know her from this film. She became famous through musical theatre starting in RENT. And then furthered her career when she played the lead in Wicked. I have been a fan of Idina for over 10 years now, I think she is a phenomental actress and performer.  

Eddie Patina Miller who plays Deloris Van Cartier played her so perfectly! Clearly we wouldn't see Whoopi Goldberg on stage.....WELL, I did she played Sister Superior! But, this is one of my favourite musicals of all times and she playe Deloris Van Cariter with great justice. People should look what's she done!

5) Which old musical do you like? 

Sam My favourite old musical is a real classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I was lucky enough to see the musical in the theatre as a child and I remember it being truly magical. The film is aslo fantastic. I think it has great comedy elements and a good solid storyline

Eddie All honesty,I have to agree with Sam on this one. I watched it with my folks and I just thought the flying car was done amazingly! The songs were catchy just like the film, it compares to the film but the character brought back the memories of the film and I really enjoyed this musical. If I had to pick another old musical, I would have to pick We Will Rock You, it had a storyline, it had comedy, it had righteous songs man! It was overall amazing. Plus, the costumes rocked the house too!

6) Latest musical you like? 

Sam: This is a very easy question. The Book of Mormon. I might go as far to say that this is the best musical I have ever seen. I have been lucky enough to have seen this musical twice in the short time it has been in the West End. Everything about this show is brilliant, every detail I have never laughed so much watching a musical and I can listen to the soundtrack again and again as the msuica and lyrics are so cleverly written. This shows definitely one to watch. 

Eddie: May come as a shock, but the latest musical I have seen that I enjoyed was WICKED! I recently did a blog on just the musical and it was just absolutely inspiring and showed a COMPLETELY different aspect of opinion of the entire 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz' universe. We learn more about the Wicked Witch and who she meets in her life. Overall, it's a must see musical.

7) What's the worst musical you saw?

Sam: Now the worst musical I have seen was From Here to Eternity. You probably haven't heard of this musical because it only ran on the West End for four months, closing early this year, long before it was contracted to do so. I went to see this musical within the first month of it opening and the theatre was more than half empty. This wasn't a good sign to start. The only reason I was interested in seeing ths musical was because Tim Rice had written the lyrics, and with his previous successes with Lloyd Webber I was intrigued to see some of his new work. Unfortunately, the story line to the musical was very bad, there wasn't really one at all. And when I left the theatre, I couldn't remember what any of the songs sounded like. It's not a good sign if the music isn't memorable. All in all I'm not surprised that this show closed very quickly and me and my sister even predicted it after we had seen it.

Eddie: I wouldn't say it's the worse but with what I've seen this is my lowest rank. The only thing I really like from this musical is the actual costumes. They are creative and it ends there. The songs are really really annoying, the story line bores me and goes on. It's one of the worse pieces of musical theatre Andrew Lloyd Webber for ME has done. See for ME. I see the talent but I prefer the Phantom of the Opera any day to this. No offence Andrew Lloyd Webber but this is the lowest ranking musical for me.

8) What's the best musical you have seen? 

Sam: Now the best musical I have seen is a toss up between The Book of Mormon and Beauty and the Beast. But, since I have already written about the Book of Mormon I will go with Beauty and the Beast. I always say this is my favourite musical when I am asked. I think it has to do with many things, one of them being that it is Disney. I am also a very big fan of Disney so this musical is perfect for me. When I saw this musical I was amazed at the costumes and the sheer grandeur of it all. I can imagine it would be truly magical for any child watching it. Or any adult to for that matter! The music in this show is fantastic and I think Alan Menken (The composer) is one of the best at present. I think his music can transport you into believing that you are actually there, where is a very difficult thing to achieve. The musical really sends me to my happy place.

Eddie: If I had the dress and the heels I'll be the mom....just saying! I LOVE the films to pieces I always wanted to see it on stage. The music is me, I love this kind of music! Love even the added songs on the soundtrack 'Breakout" and "You Can't Stop The Beat" and I even like the cheesy soppy songs "Without Love" and "I Can Hear The Bells" the ending always getting me crying. But, it was me and Grandma's film so it's been quite hard for me to see it. And, ever since then I have never ever seen the film again I listen to the songs but I have not seen the film since.

9) What would you say to musical lovers, inspiring singers etc?

Sam: To musical lovers I would say, well done! You have picked a fantastic hobby and interest! An I would just say try to see as many musicals you can to get a wide knowledge of all that is out there, even if you see a few bad shows it is something to talk about and compare to something else. To aspiring singers and actors I would say keep going! If it's what you really want and you have the talented go with it you will go far. Even if you don't do it as a career it can always be a hobby and you can perform in many Amateur dramatic theatre groups across the country.  

Eddie: DON'T STOP BELIEVING! (No am not going into Glee). But, honestly musicals just make you happy in general. The stories are great to watch, the films have the A* cast so you will see at least one character you'll love and honestly Sam above me, has nailed what you should do. I would say try different kinds of Musicals to see what floats you're boat.

Chat conversation endEddie

10) What do you want to say to the readers? 

Sam I just want to say thanks for reading and hope this might have given you some ideas on what musical to watch next or which soundtrack to have a listen to. And everyone try to watch as many musicals as you can as I never want this art form to die out!

Eddie: Find a musical that suits you and grow, without our musical lovers, musicals would be dead at the theatres. We are slowly finding newer musicals which am happy about. There's Finding Nemo the musical, which people don't know about! But, I would say to readers I hope there's a Tim Burton musical on stage soon.

What's The Bottom Line?

Even if you hate musicals, try and find one that looks okay for you, because musicals takes us musical lovers to a place that we feel happy. So, the bottom line? Always give musicals a chance because you either love them or hate them. But, the majority love the singing and dancing and that's the bottom line.

Want to follow our Facebook group to keep in contact of our blogs click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThatsTheBottomLine/