Act Acting » Broadway Acting » Mamma Mia

Mamma Mia

Question:

to clean up: Mining money is what Broadway is all about, yes? I’ve given up being snooty about light-hearted entertainment. I’m just happy friends are finally experiencing some hard-earned success.

I still hold out hope for art. I’m not quite that cynical yet. Tao te Carl

Response:

to clean up: Mining money is what Broadway is all about, yes? I’ve given up being snooty about light-hearted entertainment. I’m just happy friends are finally experiencing some hard-earned success. I still hold out hope for art.

There is always an uneasy balance between art and commerce. There is always danger in favouring one over the other. What would you give as an example of both succeeding?   I’m not quite that cynical yet.

You say that, but then you pass artistic judgement on a show you haven’t even seen. That’s quite a cynical response, imo. –bubbles

Response:

to clean up: There is always an uneasy balance between art and commerce. There is always danger in favouring one over the other. What would you give as an example of both succeeding?  

Several current shows, actually: "The Lion King", in its innovative methods of puppetry and dance. "The Dance of Death" is another one (wonderful program on it on the local PBS station last night) that seems to combine art and commerce, altho the box office success is optimistic but indeterminate for now. "The Producers", the most recent commercial success, is outstanding, and wildly succesful. I’m not quite that cynical yet. You say that, but then you pass artistic judgement on a show you haven’t even seen. That’s quite a cynical response, imo.

No, I said the reviews were not stirring, and then extended a general commentary to the state of Broadway. I make no judgements about the show beyond what I read. Tao te Carl

Response:

to clean up: There is always an uneasy balance between art and commerce. There is always danger in favouring one over the other. What would you give as an example of both succeeding?   Several current shows, actually: "The Lion King", in its innovative methods of puppetry and dance.

Yes, I think that’s probably the best current example. Though I found the pop numbers to be a little at odds with the excellent design. I don’t think that Mamma Mia falls into the complete "sell-out" category. The book is paper-thin. But the director is a very savvy woman who understands its limitations and makes the most of it. I think the real "sell-out" problem lies in shows that are reverse-marketed. For example: a friend is developing a "Scooby-Doo" Musical to coincide with the movie release. When a show is more about action-figure sales in the lobby, then there is real trouble. "The Dance of Death" is another one (wonderful program on it on the local PBS station last night) that seems to combine art and commerce, altho the box office success is optimistic but indeterminate for now.

Haven’t heard of that one. Who produced it? "The Producers", the most recent commercial success, is outstanding, and wildly succesful.

Yes, that’s an interesting phenomenon. It’s one of my favourite films, so I was very wary of this production. imo, it’s a good show but there are parts that become tautology. It turns into the very thing that it is seeking to satirize. It’s wild popularity stems more from the fact that, at the time, the audience desperately needed a bone-fide, home-grown American hit. I’m not quite that cynical yet. You say that, but then you pass artistic judgement on a show you haven’t even seen. That’s quite a cynical response, imo. No, I said the reviews were not stirring, and then extended a general commentary to the state of Broadway. I make no judgements about the show beyond what I read.

You wrote to Kell: :Sad. Not if you like ABBA…. This isn’t about the music, per se, altho it has a small part to play in it. What annoys me is the attempt to dobble together a series of songs written for a different medium and pass it off as theatre.

How do you know it’s "dobbled" together if you haven’t seen it? How do you know it isn’t theatre? –bubbles

Response:

: :And yes, this was all stuff I read. I may end up seeing the show once it’s on :ducats, if it lasts that long, but I don’t think I have to. Carl, it will be around, long enough for TKTS – Not as long as CATS, but it will be around. if only for the soothing aspects of that a jar of ‘fluff’ can bring…

So was "SNF:TM", but I didn’t see that, either. And I was thinking more along the lines of those two-fers you find on the dry cleaner’s counter, actually. Tao te Carl

Response:

: :And yes, this was all stuff I read. I may end up seeing the show once it’s on :ducats, if it lasts that long, but I don’t think I have to. Carl, it will be around, long enough for TKTS – Not as long as CATS, but it will be around. if only for the soothing aspects of that a jar of ‘fluff’ can bring… : : :Tao te Carl : — KellyL, AFTRA/Actor/Director "I think if there is a God it’s very important that he has a sense of humour – otherwise you are in for a very miserable afterlife." Rory Bremner

Response:

to clean up: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – to clean up: There is always an uneasy balance between art and commerce. There is always danger in favouring one over the other. What would you give as an example of both succeeding?   Several current shows, actually: "The Lion King", in its innovative methods of puppetry and dance. Yes, I think that’s probably the best current example. Though I found the pop numbers to be a little at odds with the excellent design.

On the other hand, it wasn’t Beauty and the Beast, which had similar discongruities. Lion King handled them far better. I don’t think that Mamma Mia falls into the complete "sell-out" category. The book is paper-thin. But the director is a very savvy woman who understands its limitations and makes the most of it.

I expressed reservations regarding it but, well, there are few if any original songs (be kinda hard, in spite of Bjorn being involved, or was it Benny?), the story is created around the songs, which makes the plot thin at best, as you pointed out. I can’t comment on the director’s approach to this show, so I take your word for it. I think the real "sell-out" problem lies in shows that are reverse-marketed.

Do I hear "Saturday Night Fever: The Musical"? For example: a friend is developing a "Scooby-Doo" Musical to coincide with the movie release. When a show is more about action-figure sales in the lobby, then there is real trouble.

Agreed, and this transcends to the movies, as well, for the most part. "The Dance of Death" is another one (wonderful program on it on the local PBS station last night) that seems to combine art and commerce, altho the box office success is optimistic but indeterminate for now. Haven’t heard of that one. Who produced it?

It’s directed by Sean Mathias, and stars Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren, with David Strathairn. Ain’t sure who produced it. "The Producers", the most recent commercial success, is outstanding, and wildly succesful. Yes, that’s an interesting phenomenon. It’s one of my favourite films, so I was very wary of this production. imo, it’s a good show but there are parts that become tautology. It turns into the very thing that it is seeking to satirize. It’s wild popularity stems more from the fact that, at the time, the audience desperately needed a bone-fide, home-grown American hit.

Probably true, altho Lion King is pretty much an American production as well. Still, the dearth of American theater becomes pretty apparent when you look at Boradway over the past few seasons: revivals (of straight plays and musicals) and adaptations are about all that’s come along. I think Urinetown is the only original "theater piece from a theater piece" to open this year that’s American. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m not quite that cynical yet. You say that, but then you pass artistic judgement on a show you haven’t even seen. That’s quite a cynical response, imo. No, I said the reviews were not stirring, and then extended a general commentary to the state of Broadway. I make no judgements about the show beyond what I read. You wrote to Kell: :Sad. Not if you like ABBA…. This isn’t about the music, per se, altho it has a small part to play in it. What annoys me is the attempt to dobble together a series of songs written for a different medium and pass it off as theatre. How do you know it’s "dobbled" together if you haven’t seen it? How do you know it isn’t theatre?

I know it’s cobbled, because the book is someone’s old album collection scraped off, which is how I also know it’s not theatre. What does this communicate? In my opinion, nothing. There was no core story that the songs developed out of, but the story becomes postulated after the music. That stops being theatre and starts being <gasp a concert. And yes, this was all stuff I read. I may end up seeing the show once it’s on ducats, if it lasts that long, but I don’t think I have to. Tao te Carl

Response:

: :Brantley of the Times was pretty much down on it, but it has an :advance sale of $27 million, so, like Jekyll & Hyde before it, it will :have a run, even if it sucks. The Post gaveit a good review.

Who reviewed it? : :Sad. Not if you like ABBA….

This isn’t about the music, per se, altho it has a small part to play in it. What annoys me is the attempt to dobble together a series of songs written for a different medium and pass it off as theatre. Likewise, Jekyll & Hyde was a show that really had no reason to be, except that there was one song that someone wanted to make a standard, and therefore wrapped a story around it. Tao te Carl

Response:

to clean up: to clean up: Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, Louise! Knock ‘em dead! Brantley of the Times was pretty much down on it, Wasn’t a pan. Sounds like the Times reviewer still got sucked in by it anyway.

I did say "pretty much". ..but it has an advance sale of $27 million, so, like Jekyll & Hyde before it, it will have a run, even if it sucks. It received mixed reviews in London and Toronto as well, but it was still a hit. It’s just a really sweet, simple show; which makes it critically bulletproof and timely. It should do well, imo.

Of that there is little doubt. Mining for money, I don’t think, should be the purpose of the showcase of theatre, however. Tao te Carl

Response:

to clean up: It’s very easy to spot your cross-posted forgeries (poor spelling, profanity, etc.) You would have had a lot more success if you hadn’t pissed off so many alt.acting regulars who don’t particularly like Carl. As it is, you just prove yourself a bitter loser every time you post something like this. You’re wasting your time.  

Thank you, bubbles. I think <g Tao te Carl

Response:

:clean up: : :: ::Brantley of the Times was pretty much down on it, but it has an ::advance sale of $27 million, so, like Jekyll & Hyde before it, it ::will have a run, even if it sucks. : :The Post gave it a good review. : : :Who reviewed it? gee, and I thought you were giong to say ‘What does the Post know?" I’m trolling the Archive : :: ::Sad. : :Not if you like ABBA…. : : :This isn’t about the music, per se, altho it has a small part to play :in it. What annoys me is the attempt to dobble together a series of :songs written for a different medium and pass it off as theatre. Well, in a way "Muriel’s Wedding" a delightful Aussie film was similar with ABBA as the theme music. :Likewise, Jekyll & Hyde was a show that really had no reason to be, :except that there was one song that someone wanted to make a standard, :and therefore wrapped a story around it. Actually, J&H started as a conecpt album – I have it. The Alley in Austin produced it. : : :Tao te Carl : — KellyL, AFTRA/Actor/Director "I think if there is a God it’s very important that he has a sense of humour – otherwise you are in for a very miserable afterlife." Rory Bremner

Response:

: :Who reviewed it? gee, and I thought you were giong to say ‘What does the Post know?" I’m trolling the Archive

No, that’s for when they try to write news stories. Reviews is a different matter: everyone has an opinion. : :This isn’t about the music, per se, altho it has a small part to play :in it. What annoys me is the attempt to dobble together a series of :songs written for a different medium and pass it off as theatre. Well, in a way "Muriel’s Wedding" a delightful Aussie film was similar with ABBA as the theme music.

And I’m led to understand that had something to do with this current production. :Likewise, Jekyll & Hyde was a show that really had no reason to be, :except that there was one song that someone wanted to make a standard, :and therefore wrapped a story around it. Actually, J&H started as a conecpt album – I have it. The Alley in Austin produced it. :

So did "Jesus Christ Superstar", but that wasn’t a very good show, either. Tao te Carl

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – to clean up: to clean up: It received mixed reviews in London and Toronto as well, but it was still a hit. It’s just a really sweet, simple show; which makes it critically bulletproof and timely. It should do well, imo. Of that there is little doubt. Mining for money, I don’t think, should be the purpose of the showcase of theatre, however.

Mining money is what Broadway is all about, yes? I’ve given up being snooty about light-hearted entertainment. I’m just happy friends are finally experiencing some hard-earned success. –bubbles

Response:

: : :: ::Who reviewed it? : :gee, and I thought you were giong to say ‘What does the Post know?" I’m :trolling the Archive : : :No, that’s for when they try to write news stories. Reviews is a different :matter: everyone has an opinion. couldn’t find the review so I posted something else…… : :: ::This isn’t about the music, per se, altho it has a small part to play ::in it. What annoys me is the attempt to dobble together a series of ::songs written for a different medium and pass it off as theatre. : :Well, in a way "Muriel’s Wedding" a delightful Aussie film was similar :with ABBA as the theme music. : : :And I’m led to understand that had something to do with this current :production. That’s what I first thought, but the premise  has nothing really to do with "Muriel’s Wedding" save for the Wedding angle…. : ::Likewise, Jekyll & Hyde was a show that really had no reason to be, ::except that there was one song that someone wanted to make a standard, ::and therefore wrapped a story around it. : : :Actually, J&H started as a conecpt album – I have it. The Alley in :Austin produced it. :: : :So did "Jesus Christ Superstar", but that wasn’t a very good show, either. And the RSC’sproduction actually CHANGED it – at least when it was broadcast on PBS. It ended with the crucifixion. instead of Judas’ suicide. was greatly disappointed in the production : : :Tao te Carl : — KellyL, AFTRA/Actor/Director "I think if there is a God it’s very important that he has a sense of humour – otherwise you are in for a very miserable afterlife." Rory Bremner

Response:

Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, Louise! Knock ‘em dead! –bubbles Fuck you bubbles I will use all the sexual innuendo with you I damn well please because I am THE GREAT SALONEN. Besides I know you want me for those sleazy pr0n emails you send me.

It’s very easy to spot your cross-posted forgeries (poor spelling, profanity, etc.) You would have had a lot more success if you hadn’t pissed off so many alt.acting regulars who don’t particularly like Carl. As it is, you just prove yourself a bitter loser every time you post something like this. You’re wasting your time.   Toodles, –bubbles

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – :for The Way to clean up: : :Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, :Louise! Knock ‘em dead! : : :Brantley of the Times was pretty much down on it, but it has an :advance sale of $27 million, so, like Jekyll & Hyde before it, it will :have a run, even if it sucks. The Post gaveit a good review. : :Sad. Not if you like ABBA…. : : :Tao te Carl :

Can you ever contribute anything besides parroting me you stupid whore? — Carl N O T E: Your ass has just been kicked courtesy of de Valois

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Way to clean up: Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, Louise! Knock ‘em dead! Brantley of the Times was pretty much down on it, but it has an advance sale of $27 million, so, like Jekyll & Hyde before it, it will have a run, even if it sucks. Sad. Tao te Carl

Fuck me Fuck myself. Fuck what the fuck do I think I am some kind shit eating whoreboi! — Carl N O T E: Your ass has just been kicked courtesy of de Valois

Response:

to clean up: Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, Louise! Knock ‘em dead! Brantley of the Times was pretty much down on it,

Wasn’t a pan. Sounds like the Times reviewer still got sucked in by it anyway. ..but it has an advance sale of $27 million, so, like Jekyll & Hyde before it, it will have a run, even if it sucks.

It received mixed reviews in London and Toronto as well, but it was still a hit. It’s just a really sweet, simple show; which makes it critically bulletproof and timely. It should do well, imo. –bubbles

Response:

Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, Louise! Knock ‘em dead! –bubbles

Fuck you bubbles I will use all the sexual innuendo with you I damn well please because I am THE GREAT SALONEN. Besides I know you want me for those sleazy pr0n emails you send me. — Carl N O T E: Your ass has just been kicked courtesy of de Valois

Response:

:for The Way to clean up: : :Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, :Louise! Knock ‘em dead! : : :Brantley of the Times was pretty much down on it, but it has an :advance sale of $27 million, so, like Jekyll & Hyde before it, it will :have a run, even if it sucks. The Post gaveit a good review. : :Sad. Not if you like ABBA…. : : :Tao te Carl : — KellyL, AFTRA/Actor/Director "I think if there is a God it’s very important that he has a sense of humour – otherwise you are in for a very miserable afterlife." Rory Bremner

Response:

Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, Louise! Knock ‘em dead! –bubbles

Response:

to clean up: Mirvish Productions Mamma Mia opens tonight on Broadway. Merde, Louise! Knock ‘em dead!

Brantley of the Times was pretty much down on it, but it has an advance sale of $27 million, so, like Jekyll & Hyde before it, it will have a run, even if it sucks. Sad. Tao te Carl

Response:

Related Posts

Leave a Reply