Musical Movies, Musical Theatre...

[foxy]

Since we haven't had a musical thread start up I felt obliged to do so!

My suggestion for all of you that haven't seen it; rent, buy experience, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I love it, the songs are fantastic, its really unique and really funny but it also discusses love and life and pain. It has great writing ... I could just rave forever, plain and simple you MUST see it. (its on DVD, which I plan on purchasing as soon as it comes into my store again :D)

I went to see Cats, probably three years ago now. I was intensely disappointed and bored.

So, what else is good great fantastic, or terrible, boring, and vapid?

[Sloth]

I'm not too big on most musicals. My older brother was a thespian in high school, so I got stuck watching a few.

Its been along time since I've watch a broadway recording... and I've never seen a live professional production. I remember that watching Angela Lansbury getting thrown into an oven in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street was fun. Into the Woods had an interesting idea about what happened after "And they lived happily ever after".

I never watched Cats, but my brother absolutely hated it.

Factoids:
Trey Parker, the blond guy who created South Park that isn't Matt Stone, is a big musical fan. TP&MT's first movie production was a dark comedy musical called Cannibal! The Musical. Also Trey Parker's favorite musical is Les Misérables and it shows when you watch South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut... which i really wish they would try to make into a stage production. Or maybe they did and i don't know about it.

[Dødens Knekt]

Dancer in the Dark by Lars von Trier
Starring Björk
go see it
it's an excellent film

Very strong and emotional...

And Björk is an excelent actress...

[darkling]

i liked cats!

anyway my favourite musical movie is Grease, recently voted the best musical movie by C4 viewers see here (http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/M/musicals/index.html)
the stage production is great too :)

ooh and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. thats great too

[Cherokee Red]

Got two for you. my all time favourite 2 musicals.
Bugsy malone, which i have on DVD. I seen it as a kid and have loved it since.
But the best one has to be Singing in the rain.
come on, Gene Kelly anyone??
I've seen it about 25 times now and it keeps getting better.

First time i seen it, i was going to canada. it was the in-flight movie :p

[Magpie]

Jesus Christ Superstar.

the severly campy 70's version.


has romans in tanktops and judas in flares.


best film ever.


manages to get across both grief and happiness.

some of the best dance and musical numbers in any musical as far as I'm concerned.


Marvel at Herod's bling!

Fear the Roman's porn tashes!

Envy Judas and Jesus's vocal range!

[littlefirework]

Originally posted by Dødens Knekt
Dancer in the Dark by Lars von Trier
Starring Björk
go see it
it's an excellent film

Very strong and emotional...

And Björk is an excelent actress...
I was about to say that musicals are not really my cuppa tea, but now that you mention it I really did love Dancer in the Dark

[queenofself]

rocky horror of course...im sure i dont need to say why!

i also loved moulin rouge, both the music element & the fact that its so visually amazing.

the musicals that were all done by the same director (i cant remember his name dammit) like 42nd street. theyre in black & white & involve people having to put on a show, usually in depression era america. they have a crisis just before the first night of the show, usually involving someone having to stand in for the star & yet they always manage to pull it off. anyone know which ones i mean? theyre black & white & the on-stage numbers always involve women opening & closing their legs & ariel shots that make all the women dancing look like crazy patters! anyway...those are good

i keep meaning to get hold of the hedwig dvd...ive only ever seen it on the stage, i imagine the film's brilliant

[Rogue]

I am partial to 'joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat'

[Dibbie]

Originally posted by Magpie
Jesus Christ Superstar...

Fear the Roman's porn tashes!

Look carefully at the cast list and you will find a number of porn actors including the one and only Ron Jeremy!!

My favourite musicals are:

Movie
Fiddler on the Roof - Norman Jewison at his directorial height
West Side Story - Marvel at Natalie Wood's voice and then sulk when you find out it's not her
The Nightmare Before Christmas - Jack Skeletastic

Stage
Pretty much see above but with the added bonus of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

[scram]

So much to say and so little time. Great thread hun ;)

Working from my top 10 musicals of all time (yes I have a record of this):

1. Les Mis
2. Moulin Rouge
3. Little Shop of Horrors
4. Rocky Horror
5. Oliver!
6. Chicago
7. The Sound of Music
8. Grease
9. We Will Rock You
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas


1) Les Miserables:

Without a doubt my favourite. I was fortunate enough to go and see the current cast with Colonel and Queenofself and it was fantastic. I never get sick of the music and love the staging and story. People argue that this is a miserable musical but I always feel uplifted after seeing it and just want to see it again. I intend to go and see it twice more this year. Once before it closes at the Palace and once again when it reopens at the Queens. Yes I am an addict, but who cares.

2) Moulin Rouge:

For so many reasons this musical has a special place in my heart. I saw it during a very happy part of my life (which eventually turned to shit, but this film reminds me of the happy times) and I fell in love with it. The music, the visuals, the directing is fantastic. It benefits from all angles - great acting from the leads and supports, great directing and vision from Baz Luhrmann and interesting and emotive use of old songs vamped up. One of the only new tracks, "Come What May" is still one of my favourite songs from any musical ever. A lot of people hate this film. If you're one of them, you're wrong.

3) Little Shop of Horrors:

You probably know the name from the 1986 musical movie starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin. Man meets Woman, Woman has Psycho Boyfriend, Man meets Plant, Plant eats Psycho Boyfriend. I always kinda liked this musical since I first saw it when I was 10. It was only when I was 15 and performed it at school that I came to love it. It was the first big(ish) show I had done and I made so many good friends and had so many good times. Little Shop is not only a fantastic musical in its own right, but a testament to the happy times in my life. Indeed, now, 5 years later as I prepare to perform the show again with my uni MT group (I'm playing Orin) I am having the time of my life and growing closer with the cast and production team. There's something about performance which brings people together. Anyway that's another post. The music in LSOH is typically MoTown and the plot is typical cheesy B-Movies but it's all so great! The movie is actually an editted version of the stage musical. Most notably at the end where the plant ends up eating the two leads and taking over the world instead of being destroyed. Other omissions are the fantastic song "Mushnik and Son" and my personal favourite (because i get to sing it) "Now - It's Just the Gas." Anyone in the London area who has free time next week and would like to see me perform in this fantastic show, let me know via PM.

4) Rocky Horror:

It's another one of those "I like this because of what it makes me think about" choices. The music IS good and great fun, but it's not why I like RH so much. I sang "Sweet Transvestite" on stage two years ago in full drag and it was so much fun. I got a huge response from the audience and I still have the fishnets as a memento of a great couple of nights. The musical is so camp and fucked up but is adored by millions. Other happy memories of RH is watching it whilst drunk in the_colonel's living room and then dancing to the Timewarp :D. Rocky Horror brings people out of themselves and lets them dress up stupidly and act extroverted even if they aren't. I think that's what makes it so attractive.

5) Oliver!:

I'm specifically talking about the musical film which EVERYONE has seen at least 10 times. This musical reminds me of school concerts, happy christmas times with my family and just that little bit of magic which you lose once you stop being a child. On top of that, I love the cockney accents in it as well as the characters of Fagin and the Artful Dodger. Something about London pride I guess. The music is great too - "You've Gotta Pick a Pocket or Two," "Consider Yourself" and "Oompah-pah" are just classics in their own right. There's just something about this musical which makes me smile.

6) Chicago:

I saw the movie before I saw the stage show. I loved the music and the story, and seeing the stage show only reaffirmed that Chicago is a great show. The film and the show are very different seeing as the stage production is staged such that the whole band (a large band at that) is on stage and the action all happens out in front of them with no conventional set. The occasional chair but that's it. It makes very clever use of lighting and dance to convey each scene. It's just very classy. Last year, my MT group performed a series of Chicago songs in which I was decked out in full dinner suit and had some great times with the songs. Again, this musical reminds me of good times.

7) The Sound of Music:

I know, I know, I know it's "fucking singing nuns and nazis" but hear me out. I hadn't seen TSoM for about 5 years when I saw it again last Christmas and was expecting it to be as naff as i remembered it. BUT IT SO ISN'T. It's a typical storyline of the times and very similar to Mary Poppins in plenty of respects but this movie is just SO feel good. On top of that it really does have some great music; "Edelweiss" most noticeably, but the general score is very nice. I think TSoM just captures some kind of feelgood innocence which you don't get any more in films. Pity.

8) Grease:

I have mixed feelings on Grease. I love it because I've always known it, know all the words, have danced to the megamix drunk at virtually every party I've ever been to and have performed it. However it ISN'T a fantastic musical. So why is it so popular? Grease is without a doubt the most mainstream musical there is. Everyone knows it. Everyone would put it in their top 10. As such it made no.1 in a recent top 100 musicals poll. This is where my trouble with Grease lies. It's a pop symbol. It's like the Spice Girls (or what they WERE) or Musical Theatre. As a musical theatre fanatic, then, I shouldn't be allowed to like it. But, lord help me, I do. :S Again it reminds me of too many smiles and too many laughs.

9) We Will Rock You:

My love for this musical stems directly from my love for Queen. I play the platinum album on a regular basis and I take great pleasure in singing Bohemian Rhapsody all the way through. So it was a fairly safe bet that I would at least like the music in WWRY. From it's start with "Innuendo" and strobe lighting you know it's gonna be a blast. OK so it has an almost non-existant plot and is so obviously written by Ben Elton (very much his brand of humour). But Rocky Horror doesn't have a plot either (don't hurt me, people). WWRY is one of those musicals that you enjoy because it is fun, has great music, gets you up and singing and leaves you feeling very happy. The current cast is very good too. You really need to see it. Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Rd, London. The only reason this isn't higher in my list is because it relies too heavily on a love of Queen's music and is pretty much a tribute to it more than a stand-alone musical.

10) The Nightmare Before Christmas:

Tim Burton is a genius and this is one of his finest works. Fantastic music, charming story and great characters. This movie reminds me of being a kid whilst at the same time reminds me that it can still be fun to be an adult. This movie also brings back happy memories for me as well. It's just great.

[/marathon] ;)

[Urks]

South Park the Movie. Loved the music from that one and Willy Wonka rules all.

[Space Prawn]

I thought 8 Mile was a pretty sweet post-modern musical. You can't beat Grease for good old fashioned popcorn-and-pizza cheesiness... and there was one I saw called Neo!(the exclamtion mark is part of the title). It was a parody of the Matrix (with such memorable numbers as 'The Whoa Song'.)

Here's a review by someone who ain't me.

The play is funny because of both its cheeziness and its interesting twist on the characters. This campiness is evident from the play's early moments, during Trinity's fight with the police. Trinity antes up for her jump kick, and realizes that she can't do this without special effects, so she calls offstage for assistance. Two men dressed in black (meaning that they're "invisible" to the audience) run out, hoist her up so that she can "hover" and kick. In fact, most of the play's "workarounds" for special effects-as well as silly sight gags-are worthwhile.

While the cheezy effects, props, and sight gags are funny, what makes this play really work is director/writer Fred "Eric" Garcia's spin on the characters. Here, Neo is a hybrid of the film's Neo and Keanu Reeves himself-kind of naïve and unsuspecting, with a bit of "whoa dude" thrown in for good measure. Cypher is an asshole, and unabashed about it. Tank, who was rather meek in the film, is very over the top in this play. In fact, Tank's portrayal in this play is downright hilarious; he introduces himelf to Neo as "T to the A to the N to the K, your hip-hop operator." When Neo inquires about the lack of holes in Tank's arms, he retorts that he was created by "booty-bumping" and not in a test tube.

In the play, some characters were modified, others were changed wholesale, such as Agent Jones and Agent Brown, who are now two female agents known as Agent 1 and Agent 2. Even still, some characters, as well as scenes, are omitted altogether. Not only does this keep things moving, but it is a big source of what's funny. I won't even tell you about Switch, except for the fact that in this play her character is actually interesting!

Of course, no Matrix spoof would be complete without martial arts action, and this play offers plenty of that too. The choreography is very good, and the fight sequences are a big part of what makes this parody fun.

All in all, "Neo: A Matrix Musical", is definitely worth seeing if you are a fan of "The Matrix". It pokes fun at the movie and at itself. It is not perfect-as things are not always so in the "real world"-but if you have a sense of humor, and enjoyed the film, then you need to check this out.

[Cheeky Prophet]

Originally posted by Rogue
I am partial to 'joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat'

Hehe, that's my all-time favorite. I ran the sound for my school's performance it last year, and I was friends with everyone in the cast so it was awesome. The play itself is great, so is the music- I love Andrew Lloyd Webber's work. The Donny Osmond version of it is alright, not one of the best I've seen..

My other favorite is Guys and Dolls, which my school is performing next week. It's just really cute- another good story.


I've listened to Les Mis, and it sounds beautiful, I'd love to see it.

[scram]

I demand that this page not be allowed to fall off the front page again you bunch of philestines!

It's my first night of performing our production of Little Shop of Horrors tonight.

Check out the cast. If you're lucky, you'll spot me!

http://www.union.ic.ac.uk/arts/dramsoc/photo_store/mtsoc_lsoh_medium/dscn8243.jpg

I'll let you know how it goes.

In the meantime...

DISCUSS THEATRE GOSHDARNIT!

[PieKaos]

My high school actually performed Les Miserables last year. It was, for teens doing it, very good. I personally was Enjolras, so I got a cool sword and a lot of cool songs. It was fun.

[foxy]

Originally posted by Scrambled
I demand that this page not be allowed to fall off the front page again you bunch of philestines!

It's my first night of performing our production of Little Shop of Horrors tonight.

Check out the cast. If you're lucky, you'll spot me!

http://www.union.ic.ac.uk/arts/dramsoc/photo_store/mtsoc_lsoh_medium/dscn8243.jpg

I'll let you know how it goes.

In the meantime...

DISCUSS THEATRE GOSHDARNIT!

oooh ooh I see you, Hope you have fun Scram

[katox]

Originally posted by foxy
My suggestion for all of you that haven't seen it; rent, buy experience, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I love it, the songs are fantastic, its really unique and really funny but it also discusses love and life and pain. It has great writing ... I could just rave forever, plain and simple you MUST see it.

I went to see Cats, probably three years ago now. I was intensely disappointed and bored.


Hah Foxy. You are me. :)

[foxy]

So you totally agree that Cats is an utter waste of theatrical space and is a musical intended to line Andrew Lloyd Webbers pockets with MORE cash than before?

[PoofBird]

Originally posted by Magpie
Jesus Christ Superstar.

the severly campy 70's version.


has romans in tanktops and judas in flares.


best film ever.


manages to get across both grief and happiness.

some of the best dance and musical numbers in any musical as far as I'm concerned.


Marvel at Herod's bling!

Fear the Roman's porn tashes!

Envy Judas and Jesus's vocal range!

quoted for truth

there is only one musical....

[scram]

Originally posted by foxy
So you totally agree that Cats is an utter waste of theatrical space and is a musical intended to line Andrew Lloyd Webbers pockets with MORE cash than before?

quoted for truth.

[jessabon]

Originally posted by Urks
South Park the Movie. Loved the music from that one

Quoted for ultimo truth! Yay! If you disbelieve me, try going to the link in my sig and going to Movie and going to Soundtrack Mp3 and listening! Will prove once and for all!

Does Life of Brian count as a musical, because of the closing number? How about Blackadder, especially the second season?

[foxy]

I'm not sure how I feel about the life of Brian as a Musical

I like it as a Movie

South Park the movie, I don't like as a movie or a musical
I feel it encompasses the "funny and bad little cartoon show that I sometimes catch late at night category really well"

I dunno, define a musical for me someone!
(;) the fox is lazy)

[scram]

South Park is considered, amongst my Musical Theatre comrades, as a fantastic modern musical. Indeed we sang through it at a house party whilst fairly drunk late last year :)

A musical, in my opinion, is a production (film or otherwise) where a significant portion of time or story is taken up with musical numbers.

A musical number is a lyric-based song sung by a definite character. Hence not backing music (i.e. Enya - Lord of the Rings).

It is this loose definition which allows films like 8 Mile and cartoons such as The Lion King to be considered "musicals."

That said, I still think of Les Mis and West Side Story when I think of musicals :)

[Loveli]

Les Misérables was absolutely amazing. No show has ever made me cry like the way I did while seeing it. And the song "Master of the House"! I love it.

Cabaret is my favourite musical out there. The movie is well done but the stage production is far better. It's set in a Berlin right before Hilter's rise to power. Story of a young American writer who becomes tangled in the lives of those at a decadent Kit Kat Klub. He watches Nazism slowly take control while the people around him are emotionally and spiritually dead to it all. Wonderful numbers in it, interesting costumes, great fun.

Rent was good, but I was expecting more out of it. The story is very moving. Songs are great.

I must admit that Disney's Beauty & the Beast is also one of my favourites. I think it's because Belle is a brunette, willing to stand her own ground and smart. Plus the songs are in my singing range.

[spyk_]

Originally posted by darkling
i liked cats!

anyway my favourite musical movie is Grease, recently voted the best musical movie by C4 viewers see here (http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/M/musicals/index.html)
the stage production is great too :)

ooh and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. thats great too

Yeah, but that's the program that put Miss Saigon at 99 and The Muppets Take New York at 30 something.

Grease sucks. The music is boring, the story-line is pathetic and it's message is that you have to change yourself to fit in. It didn't deserve number 1. Maybe 100.

[Gin&Tonic]

Originally posted by spyk_

Grease sucks. The music is boring, the story-line is pathetic and it's message is that you have to change yourself to fit in. It didn't deserve number 1. Maybe 100.

Totally agree with that - soo bored of Grease.

My top 5:
1. Willy Wonka (purely cos I must have seen it 100 times!)
2. Moulin Rouge
3. Cabaret
4. Chicago
5. Rocky Horror Picture Show

Special recogniton to South Park (v funny) and Oliver (cos surely everyone has seen that in some form) :)

[jessabon]

Originally posted by queenofself
the musicals that were all done by the same director (i cant remember his name dammit) like 42nd street. theyre in black & white & involve people having to put on a show, usually in depression era america. they have a crisis just before the first night of the show, usually involving someone having to stand in for the star & yet they always manage to pull it off. anyone know which ones i mean? theyre black & white & the on-stage numbers always involve women opening & closing their legs & ariel shots that make all the women dancing look like crazy patters! anyway...those are good


Do you mean Busby Berkeley?

[scram]

Originally posted by Gin&Tonic
Totally agree with that - soo bored of Grease.

My top 5:
1. Willy Wonka (purely cos I must have seen it 100 times!)
2. Moulin Rouge
3. Cabaret
4. Chicago
5. Rocky Horror Picture Show

Special recogniton to South Park (v funny) and Oliver (cos surely everyone has seen that in some form) :)

Willy Wonka is fantastic. A masterpiece of its time and it still holds up. Was watching it a couple of weeks ago and loved it still.

"We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams."

I'd like to add "Anything Goes" to my list of favourite musicals. Saw it a few weeks ago and will be performing it in the Summer. It's a very funny show. Very feelgood with some amazing dancing and lovely music. Go see it at Drury Lane in London ;)