Opening number = win
Tina Fey and Steve Martin = brills
Everything else = meh
I was especially disappointed in the midway musical review:
1. Oscars, this is not the Tonys - please don't try.
2. There was a moment when I thought "Why are the backup dancers wearing roses? Oh wait those are the HSM kids and that chick from Mama Mia..." Total blah. If this was the Tonys we would have KNOWN when a star was on stage. I still don't know the girl from Mama Mia's name! Amanda S... S... Something. Case in point!
3. As much as I like Beyonce and Zac Efron as pop singers, (I've danced about to Single Ladies and watch HSM more than I can to admit...) they are not meant for big musical numbers/stage performance in the manner that they did. Maybe it was the camera men but I doubt it. I would buy their CDs but see them on Broadway? Well... no, maybe I'm a snob... They are made for movies and cameras where the frame is not so wide, but they are not translatable to prosceniums.
4. How upset do you think Jennifer Hudson is? SHE won the oscar, and yet Beyonce is on stage? Well, probably not, she seems like a nice person who would be happy. I'd personally rather see Jennifer Hudson or Annika Noni Rose singing with Hugh... but that's just me.
5. Hugh Jackman and the men descending on the staircase was the best part, I would have loved to have just seen him and backup dancers the whole medley. Or bring back Anne Hathaway! She was cute!
6. Maybe I'm just old school: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye, Cyd Charisse, Eartha Kitt... I want the glamour of the old Hollywood musical, not producers grabbing anyone who sang in a movie last year and telling them "Quick! Get on stage!" The oldies has staying power and star quality. I understand that pop stars sell tickets and we're never going back to the old musicals of Hollywood. However, I remember seeing an interview with Eartha Kitt on PBS and she was a star, she made songs her songs, she was a dancer until the day she died. People remember her mark on the musical theatre world. Is this Beyonce? Is this Zac Efron? I dare say no. They are entertaining to be sure, they've had training, but they are no Eartha Kitt. She was trained in the best NYC conservatories, she was a legend. I doubt anyone will be asking Zac about "Hairspray" when he's in his 60's.
7. Baz Luhrman created a great medley, but it didn't translate well, and I'm sorry, but I have to blame the talent. Not really, Hugh, but well, sorry guys.
ANYWAY, get at it - crucify this non-believer! I won't accept mediocrity from professionals when I know enough amateurs that would show them up! You know who you are my lovely musical theatre kids out there!
PS: But Hugh, you were awesome, feel free to return to Broadway anytime you like and bring us out of this recession.
Tina Fey and Steve Martin = brills
Everything else = meh
I was especially disappointed in the midway musical review:
1. Oscars, this is not the Tonys - please don't try.
2. There was a moment when I thought "Why are the backup dancers wearing roses? Oh wait those are the HSM kids and that chick from Mama Mia..." Total blah. If this was the Tonys we would have KNOWN when a star was on stage. I still don't know the girl from Mama Mia's name! Amanda S... S... Something. Case in point!
3. As much as I like Beyonce and Zac Efron as pop singers, (I've danced about to Single Ladies and watch HSM more than I can to admit...) they are not meant for big musical numbers/stage performance in the manner that they did. Maybe it was the camera men but I doubt it. I would buy their CDs but see them on Broadway? Well... no, maybe I'm a snob... They are made for movies and cameras where the frame is not so wide, but they are not translatable to prosceniums.
4. How upset do you think Jennifer Hudson is? SHE won the oscar, and yet Beyonce is on stage? Well, probably not, she seems like a nice person who would be happy. I'd personally rather see Jennifer Hudson or Annika Noni Rose singing with Hugh... but that's just me.
5. Hugh Jackman and the men descending on the staircase was the best part, I would have loved to have just seen him and backup dancers the whole medley. Or bring back Anne Hathaway! She was cute!
6. Maybe I'm just old school: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye, Cyd Charisse, Eartha Kitt... I want the glamour of the old Hollywood musical, not producers grabbing anyone who sang in a movie last year and telling them "Quick! Get on stage!" The oldies has staying power and star quality. I understand that pop stars sell tickets and we're never going back to the old musicals of Hollywood. However, I remember seeing an interview with Eartha Kitt on PBS and she was a star, she made songs her songs, she was a dancer until the day she died. People remember her mark on the musical theatre world. Is this Beyonce? Is this Zac Efron? I dare say no. They are entertaining to be sure, they've had training, but they are no Eartha Kitt. She was trained in the best NYC conservatories, she was a legend. I doubt anyone will be asking Zac about "Hairspray" when he's in his 60's.
7. Baz Luhrman created a great medley, but it didn't translate well, and I'm sorry, but I have to blame the talent. Not really, Hugh, but well, sorry guys.
ANYWAY, get at it - crucify this non-believer! I won't accept mediocrity from professionals when I know enough amateurs that would show them up! You know who you are my lovely musical theatre kids out there!
PS: But Hugh, you were awesome, feel free to return to Broadway anytime you like and bring us out of this recession.