Season 2 vs Season 1
Last Edit: GrumpyMorningBoy 03:05 pm EDT 05/08/24
Posted by: GrumpyMorningBoy 02:57 pm EDT 05/08/24
In reply to: re: I feel like SHMIGADOON didn't get the love it deserved from the B'way community (including this board) - MockingbirdGirl 05:51 am EDT 05/08/24

Agreed, MockingbirdGirl. Season 2 was certainly superior -- the writing team also just got FAR more ambitious with the entire thing. The references in season 1 are often generic -- a song could have been inspired by any number of Golden Age musicals -- while in season 2, there are very intentional mashups and references, and the writers often "hung a light" on them to make it clear that we knew what they were referencing. Some far more obvious, "I'll drink to that!" and others far more obscure / clever / multi-layered, like a stripper Leisl from the SOUND OF MUSIC delivering a "Hey, Big Spender" / CHORUS LINE-esque monologue about drinking champagne at her daddy's parties.

The ways that season two crafted a twisty plot with all these musical songs deeply integrated into the storytelling -- with fun moments for each performer to show off -- really, really impressive.

And damn, those were some REALLY great performances. One could argue that TItus Burgess was literally channeling Leading Player, Dove Cameron was serving up Sally Bowles, and Kristin Chenoweth was delivering an exact prototypical Mrs. Lovett, but what I adored was the fact that EVERYONE in this talented company knew the tone and style of each of these characters so well that it really felt like everyone was on the same page.

Just some damn good casting, really. And such a perfect example of why Hollywood needs to cast REAL LIVE MUSICAL THEATRE PEOPLE WITH TRAINING once they put these projects on screen. (Looking at you, 2024 Cady Heron). Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key are asked to do very little real musical theatre performing, because -- talented tho they are -- they know full well they cannot match the performances of these Broadway-trained vets.

Mr. Burgess, especially. Just a spot-on flawless performance. Leading Player has to walk a tightrope of a uniquely menacing combination of pizzaz and danger, and if you do not know this show, if you do not know this musical theatre history, you cannot get it right.

I was also wowed by Dove Cameron, who proved that she's far more versatile than I expected. I think she should be an even bigger star.

The whole season 2 was really just spectacular. But the writing, above all, is what wowed me most. I deeply hope that Cinco Paul can give us more to see.

- GMB
reply

Previous: re: I feel like SHMIGADOON didn't get the love it deserved from the B'way community (including this board) - MockingbirdGirl 05:51 am EDT 05/08/24
Next: re: Season 2 vs Season 1 - WaymanWong 04:43 pm EDT 05/08/24
Thread:


Time to render: 0.029159 seconds.