LocalArtsLive
Philadelphia classical music events, discussion, and directory
Miss Saigon at The Walnut... A long sad operatic slog ... or is it just me?
I was just curious about others' reax to Miss Saigon.
Let me state, going in, that I am exactly the age of the soliders depicted in this Vietnam tragedy. I hurt to think about those times. So the storyline is not the thing I feel utterly out of phase with...
It's the type of musical. I guess I went absent from approximately "A Chorus Line" until just recently. Well, not exactly true. Upon reflection, I guess I don't respond well to these near-operatic musicals and I've pushed out of my mind memories of Cats, Wicked, Les Miz, The Little Mermaid, Tarzan.
I leave the theater feeling like I had a rich meal, overstuffed and yet unsatisfied. It happened again last night.
I saw South Pacific last year in NYC and the same topics as Miss Saigon were handled but there was at least as much talking as singing. And lyrical songs. And no circus theatrics. But it hooked me.
I'd love to be educated to how to enjoy, experience, even PACE myself to get through shows like Miss Saigon. Or if it's just a matter of taste... and to me these are "less taste, more filling," so to speak.
Please don't beat me up. I am actually eager to learn from others.
Views: 27
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tim Bosworth on -
Liz, I have to agree with you about the state of the modern musical. I've given up going to them. Call me a snob or a crotchety old fool, but to me the modern musical is an opera wannabe without the story, the music, or the voices to get it there. I may be on the wrong side of the generation gap, but the Oklahoma-West Side Story-King and I-My Fair Lady-Showboat era, now there were musicals. South Pacific is a wonderful piece of art with a great setting, lots of drama and conflict, a memorable play with good songs (Who can forget Mitzi Gaynor trying to wash that man right out of her hair) and the obligatory dance number. Who can dislike the rumble between the Sharks and the Jets in West Side Story
On the other side of it, my wife, who ushers at the Walnut Theatre, and who also hated the production of Miss Saigon we saw 20 years ago in another city, said this production was good. Maybe just her opinion, maybe you have to see it more than once. Who knows. I don't really care enough to want to find out.
-
Permalink Reply by Lindsay Inger on -
I don't have any advice about how to enjoy shows like Miss Saigon. However, I agree with Tim that I prefer balance in a show. I like singing and dancing, but I hope that there is an enjoyable story line and dialogue. I like an action scene as much as the next person. If the action is non-stop for too long, it wears me out.
© 2013 Created by Sharon Torello.
