HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON?

Posted by: Chromolume 09:40 pm EST 11/01/15
In reply to: re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON? - Michael_Portantiere 03:32 pm EST 11/01/15

A critique has no value if it contains factually inaccurate statements about the content of a show -- for example, the comment here about the show being "heartless"...

But "heartless" is an opinion, not a question of fact. You (and many of us) may not agree with that assessment of the show, but if the poster feels that the show has no heart, that's his/her opinion.

I've heard people say things like that, time to time, about shows I personally find very moving. (Some of the Sondheim shows, for instance.) It's hard to convince someone that a show has "heart" if it doesn't move them emotionally. But that's the beauty and mystery of art - we all see it differently.


reply to this message |
re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON?

Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 11:49 pm EST 11/01/15
In reply to: re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON? - Chromolume 09:40 pm EST 11/01/15

"But 'heartless' is an opinion, not a question of fact."

I know what you mean, but so much of HAMILTON is concerned with the characters' emotions about what's happening that I don't understand how anyone can hold the opinion that the show is "heartless." Even if someone thinks those emotions somehow feel false -- and I can't understand that, either -- I don't believe "heartless" is the word to use.

The same goes for Sondheim's shows. And I suspect the people who find those shows heartless are the same ones who think "Sondheim can't write a melody." Yes, it's an opinion that Sondheim can't write a melody, but any opinion needs some basis in factual reality.


reply to this message |
re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON?

Posted by: Chromolume 12:13 am EST 11/02/15
In reply to: re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON? - Michael_Portantiere 11:49 pm EST 11/01/15

Well, I think it comes down to semantics. "Sondheim can't write a melody" isn't factual, but "I don't hear satisfying melodies in Sondheim's shows" is opinion.

"Heartless" may go against what you see as the substance of Hamilton but "I don't feel the heart in it" is an entitled opinion, even if you can't understand how someone would say that.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON?

Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 10:57 am EST 11/02/15
In reply to: re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON? - Chromolume 12:13 am EST 11/02/15

"'Heartless' may go against what you see as the substance of Hamilton but 'I don't feel the heart in it' is an entitled opinion, even if you can't understand how someone would say that."

Fair enough, but I think there's quite a big difference between saying a show is "heartless" and saying "I don't feel the heart in it." Someone might say, "I wasn't moved by A CHORUS LINE because I don't relate to the characters," but would anyone ever describe that show as "heartless?"

So I think you're right that it comes down to semantics, but also, I think it's a good thing to be careful in choosing one's words, especially when being critical of something.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON?

Posted by: jero 09:47 pm EST 11/02/15
In reply to: re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON? - Michael_Portantiere 10:57 am EST 11/02/15

I'm still analyzing how I feel and think... and my heartless comment.... well for me a show has heart when I'm made to feel what the actors are feeling.. I'm not hearing about or being told about what they're going through, I feel with them... it's not the same thing as a character having convictions but it's similar.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON?

Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 11:43 pm EST 11/02/15
In reply to: re: Did I miss something at HAMILTON? - jero 09:47 pm EST 11/02/15

Although there is quite a bit of narration in HAMILTON, and several instances of characters telling us what happens or has happened offstage, there are also a great many scenes of characters experiencing emotions in the moment as events are occurring. If you were "not made to feel what the actors are feeling" (I think you meant the characters), that's your experience and it's valid, but your description of the storytelling is misleading.


reply to this message | reply to first message


All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)

Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.

[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Sound Advice Upcoming Releases CDs/Books/DVDs, etc. | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]

Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2015 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.041040 seconds.