MsMaxwell
Posts 98
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3/17/2006 9:31 AM
posted awhile ago
Let's compare...
Last night I started watching this remake of The Music Man. It was a bizarre experience, especially since I hear The Music Man 5 times a week!
Why did Disney do this? That's the main question that kept moving through my mind as I watched it. I don't think that Matthew Broderick's Harold Hill could sell a a bag of flour to a baker. He was so BORING. "Trouble" had none of the revival-like excitement that it should. And that blasted "American Gothic" couple kept showing up. Come on, folks, the gag is over.
Honestly, the more I've thought about Music Man, the more I've grown disturbed. What happens after the story is over? Does Mariam ever learn that Harold's real name is Greg? Does he really change? Or does he get away with what happened and move on to a new town--hopefully, in a new state.
I think that Merideth Wilson is a superb composer. But, honestly, I think his plot stinks. A good plot will last telling and retelling. And that's what we're doing as actors--telling and retelling every single night. If we're not convinced, I think there's a problem.
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P3X984
Posts 12
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3/17/2006 12:45 PM
posted awhile ago
Re: Let's compare...
OK, the Music Man's plot isn't Shakespeare, but I don’t
think it is as bad as you think.
I think Music Man is a classic plot which is no more than “swindler
turn legit” by finding someone who loves him in spite of knowing full well what
he is and what he is up to. There is
little depth to the plot – it doesn’t try to be more than it is. Sure Washburn
remembers Harold as “Greg” but who knows what his real name is, might be
Harold, might be Greg, might not even be Hill – that’s not the point.
The show is some fun music, some great situational comedy, and
turn-around of the two major characters toward an inevitable conclusion where
they end up together. The irony is that,
in the end, every town does need a “boy’s band” to revitalize and shape up the
community. Maybe Hill’s
new/reformed/legit persona as “Harold” is appropriate as opposed to the
old/cooked/con-man “Greg”.
I think if there was a “Music Man 2” it would be Marian and
Harold/Greg building their relationship, him dealing (humorously) with other
aspects of his past, Marian developing her
outlook of the world (and men) and the two of them continuing to improve the
people and the town around them. This is
my “Music Man 2” at least.
I guess one could create a post-story that would include him
leaving the first performance of the River City’s Boy’s Band with the money in
hand and go back to his scheming ways (leaving Marian’s heart in the dust as a
pawn of his latest scam), but I choose to think otherwise.
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pippin06
Posts 578
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3/17/2006 2:24 PM
posted awhile ago
Re: Let's compare...
Interesting opinion from P3X984. Now time for my interesting opinon.
I'm crewing "The Music Man" right now. One could argue that this musical is representative of "Americana." And that it's something not trying to be more than it is.
Music Man has its place, but I am NOT a fan. I find the songs to be, for the most part, incessant and annoying with the exception of those sung by the quartet, "Marian the Librarian" (the only song like it in the whole show), and "The Sadder but Wiser Girl" for its comedy.
If the performances aren't there, though, this show is worse than you think. Harold should be a charismatic swindler turned legit, and I don't believe my beloved Ferris Bueller pulls it off. The true situational comedy is through the supporting characters, but it again it's all based on performances. Fortunately for us at Civic, we have some marvellous performers, such as the funny man who plays Mayor Shinn.
Listening to this musical day in and day out with its simplistic plot, annoying songs (the crew has renamed "Shipoopi" as "Oh Shoot Me"), and saccharin love story remind me that in the fifties, this musical was probably the bees' knees, but now it's a bit outdated in form and in substance. No knocks to those who like it, but there are better "traditional Americana" musicals out there. And no disrespect to Meredith Willson either, but, to put this in perspective, give me "Singin' in the Rain" or "Meet Me in St. Louis" anyday.
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P3X984
Posts 12
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3/17/2006 3:28 PM
posted awhile ago
Re: Let's compare...
OK, I'll give you "Shipoopi" - I am still listening to 3 kids (5,7 & 9) sing that song at home and I understand the "Oh Shoot Me".
It isn't in my "top 10 list" of musicals either but I really do enjoy the show (haven't seen the "Ferris Bueller" version of the movie, but really enjoyed the show at the Civic).
It is definitely dated – I know this because I had to explain several parts of the “humor” to my kids.
However, I will still say that, when viewed for fun (on a certain level) it is a good show (better than most). I agree that good cast members make all the difference – I haven’t seen the show with an average (or below average) cast, but I’d imagine it would be terrible. But I really don’t know any shows that aren’t markedly better with a really good cast.
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