Musicals that don’t suck
I started to think about Broadway musicals again when I was walking past the marquee for Cry Baby with my sister a few weeks ago. I joked, “I’ll never go to a John Waters show unless they open Desperate Living-The Musical“.
No, that’s not happening. Although, it would be pretty cool if done properly. There was an article in the NY Times this past weekend about Cry Baby. The music is being written by the guy from Fountains of Wayne and the Executive Producer of The Daily Show. It could have potential…I might attempt it if there are $35 tickets available.
Being a native New Yorker, I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to Broadway. I try to avoid the shows that attract the bus tours. I never saw Cats, and have no plans to wait on line at TKTS to see Phantom of the Opera or Wicked.
I go for the musicals like Sweeney Todd (pre-Johnny Depp). The last production on Broadway in 2006 had all of the actors also playing instruments on stage- there was no orchestra. Michael Ceveris was a powerful lead, and the legendary Patti LuPone played his partner in crime. Much of the cast was fairly young, but gave great performances. Too short of a run for this Sondheim revival.
Cabaret with Alan Cumming. I saw this production several times at the old Studio 54 space, once with Molly Ringwald as Sally Bowles. She’s not really a dancer, but it was a novelty. Most of these Kander and Ebb songs are a sultry slow-burn that bring the nightclubs of prewar Berlin to life. There were many Emcees throughout this production’s lifespan. Alan Cumming eventually left and several other leads took over including the stellar Raul Esparza.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the greatest rock musical of all time. I love Tommy, but this is even better. John Cameron Mitchell is scary talented – playwright, singer, actor. I saw this show several times at the Hotel Riverview Ballroom. This decrepit hotel off the West Side Highway was the place that they took the Titanic survivors. The theater was the perfect setting for the story of a transsexual who never hit the big time. His former lover is playing Giants Stadium across the river, while Hedwig struggles with his identity and career. The songs are Bowie meets Jim Steinman (Bat Out of Hell), and are just great rock tunes on their own. But, Mitchell as Hedwig was unforgettable.
Truly the worst rock musical ever – High Fidelity. The book by Nick Hornby and even the movie were so great, how could this musical be so BAD!? They sucked the life out of every character. The cute indie rock record store chic into Belle and Sebastian became a John Tesh fan! Whoever put this thing together missed the entire point of the story. I want my $75 back…
I’m kinda curious about Spring Awakening, although could Duncan Sheik really write a musical that’s good? ”Barely Breathing” doesn’t have me convinced.
