The Music Man : Fan Page

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The Music Man continues to be the event for celebration!

It would not likely have had the same impact had there been no pandemic and events happened in a normal way.

Because of the weary and tragic years of the pandemic, the show became an event that people wanted to use to celebrate any personal event.

Did you see the show partly to mark an important occasion?

Jo

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From a comment on the official clip of the show (on Playbill site) --

Jay Hudley
7 months ago
I've been teaching/doing musical theatre for the past 43 years, THIS was by far the most awesome experience I have ever seen. The acting was genuine, the dancing was amazing, the ENTIRE cast rose to the top of my admiration and appreciation as they performed BEYOND expectations. BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO! They deserve every award that they are nominated
for!!!

I will second the comment on the ACTING! If you have a chance to see it again fairly close to the stage --
watch the faces of Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster as they portray different emotions and intentions on their faces and in their body language! Sutton was sometimes a bit over-the-the top but that is one familiar style that she adopts when she does musical comedy - suits her acting personality. Hugh is the perfect actor - just seeing him break into a smile or tease Sutton a lot - that is close-up screen acting at its best!

And that romantic scene -- as they draw closer physically to each other and ends the scene in a kiss -- wow! As if we are seeing a beautiful romantic scene on the big screen. Not to diss the Preston-Jones movie version, but it does not compare well at all as to how it is acted on stage by Hugh and Sutton. My favorite Jackman facial expression was when he realizes how Marian felt about him, despite his nefarious intentions. His face lights up and then he breaks into " Sweet dreams..." - I could see that a thousand times and not get tired of it!

So, not suprising that when the marketing people of Music Man was doing a survey of one's favorite song from the cast recording - I immediately said " that double reprise of 76 Trombones and Goodnight My Someone"

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Have you noticed - a lot of men are sending favorable reactions to The Music Man?


Jo

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Another reason for its success -- it is a family-friendly show!

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Sorry, Mr.Preston

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I was re-reading the comments to the NYTimes review and came upon this particular reader comment:

Steve Adriance commented February 11
S
Steve Adriance
Lexington, Kentucky
Feb. 11
We've been looking forward to this production since it was first announced in 2019 and traveled all the way from Kentucky to see it in previews last week. In a word, it's FANTASTIC! This reviewer suffers from a malady which grips many in his profession, convinced that criticism is necessary to be a proper critic. What he failed to appreciate is the high level of acting talent that pervaded the entire show. Most musicals from this era are campy and predictable by design, leaning solely on the voices and dancing talent of the performers. Not so with this show. There were so many wonderful moments as fresh stage business and relationships were still being explored by the cast. This musical is transcendent. Go experience it for yourself!

This is so true - many theatre board comments praise the singing and dancing and often neglect the actor's acting ability (facial expressions, nuances in the speaking voice, body language ... and the way they move on stage when not in a production number). I remember that one of the major factors which made me notice an unknown actor when I saw Oklahoma! in London was his commanding presence on stage, how he moved, how he reacted to the other actors on stage with his body language. That factor, including his personal appeal, was probably what drew the attention of XMen producer Lauren Shuler Donner, and eventually led to his casting as Wolverine.

Jo

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Stagedoor madhouse after the show --

[mamaleh]

The usual madness will soon disappear. Sigh.

Ellen

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I wonder if it will beat the stagedoor crowd when The Boy From Oz closed - it was reported that the entire theatre audience went to say Goodbye to Hugh?


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