I don't disagree with you. In general I have found myself liking less and less in recent years, but wasn't sure if that was just me getting jaded or what. And unfortunately for me I was a not a fan of Hamilton so I didn't get to ride the wave of history-making and joy that it brought so many. But good for them. I don't need to pick it apart, it just didn't speak to me. I only mention it because I think for many it's a beacon of hope, but I feel like I don't get to share in that.
I NEVER wanted to be that guy talking about the good old days. LOL. But hasn't it been true in every "phase"? People probably missed the no-thinking song and dance type shows that were replaced by the integrated R&H type shows of the golden age. Then rock started coming in, then the psychological probing of Sondheim type shows and people were missing the golden age. Then the British invasion. Then a return to more traditional musical comedy (a la The Producers), then the jukebox musicals and shows written by or based on albums of pop/rock artists. Now we seem to be in this heavily branded era. Generalizations, of course, as we also recently got totally original Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away. Although I was also sad to not have really like either of those very much.
I try to imagine if I would like theatre if I were coming up with today's shows instead of during the British invasion, Into the Woods and the subsequent Sondheim discovery, Kander and Ebb. Plus seeing some of the classics via film and local productions (the usual suspects, Sound of Music, West Side Story, Gypsy). All things I LOVED so dearly and that set me on the theatre path for life. I noticed I stopped buying sheet music to Broadway shows (I've always enjoyed playing them on the piano for fun). The last two I purchased were Catch Me If You Can and A Christmas Story.
Starting to ramble, but in sum it makes me think of Midnight in Paris, exploring the idea that each generation romanticizes the past as the better and richer era. |
