I know I should not judge a complete musical based on a brief video,
but based on this video I am startled that Royal Family has received such positive reviews from TT and others.
The piece looks like a redo of a redo to me. First alarm: HHarris sings "We are the royal family of Bway, we stand up for Bway." This and other music seems a parody of the self-aggrandizing attitudes that engender a dislike of musicals in some people. The lyrics strain for an exuberance but the repetition of "Bway" seems pumped up.
What comes thru is not a genuine period piece, but a piece that wants to think of itself as a period piece.
what's here is second or third removed appropriation. From the brief bit I heard of the lyrics, the songs seems unspecific, not distinctive, and too broadly written to be insightful
Falsettos: there something a bit wise guy too enamored of urban angst to really move me here. I like the "it's been sweet, but also very hot" song and "what more can I say"
But "you got to die sometime" is too blunt to achieve the existential depth it seems to sink.
Of course, again, I only saw a promo. But it's out there for judgement. |
