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| re: Some Like It Hot left us COLD | |
| Posted by: toros 09:32 am EDT 05/22/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Some Like It Hot left us COLD - carolinaguy 02:03 pm EDT 05/21/23 | |
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| "...but there was really no character for her to play in the script." I think that's exactly right. It's very clear what the writers DIDN'T want to do with the character - make her a sexy, dumb blonde - which is fine, but that's what most of the humor is derived from in the source material. They found other solutions to potential challenges for contemporary audiences, but they came up short with the character of Sugar. She has nothing to play. I wouldn't blame it on the actress. Did anyone notice that the musical is almost completely devoid of sex - sexual titillation, sexual allure, etc.? I think it's part of why it feels so unsatisfying, despite some fun songs and dances. The wildly underrated "Shucked," on the other hand, is steaming with sex. | |
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| re: Some Like It Hot left us COLD | |
| Posted by: steven_carter 09:52 am EDT 05/22/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Some Like It Hot left us COLD - toros 09:32 am EDT 05/22/23 | |
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| I think the problem is how the role of Sugar is reconceived in this version. In the quest to make all women strong and empowered (see also the stage versions of "Tootsie", "Groundhog Day", and many other recent works), they rob these characters of their reality and their dramatic arc. Sugar, as conceived by Billy Wilder is fascinating: she makes bad choices, she drinks too much, she is vulnerable,...And oh, she also like sex, something the current authors seem to find too much for current audiences. The whole wonderful boat scene where Sugar flips the traditional roles and SHE is the one who seduces the Tony Curtis/Christian Borle character, is funny, real, and sexy in the original. In the new version, no seduction happens....and the script heavy-handedly literally spells out for us that DON"T WORRY. NO SEX HAPPENED. As if that would be exploitative for two consenting adults to have sex with each other. The new authors of this SLIH (and many recent adaptations) may think they have empowered their female characters by removing their bad choices, or neurosis, or vulnerability. But what they have really done is turn interesting, real, flawed, human characters bland and colorless. |
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| also how the score is divided up... the band leader sings more than the lead singer | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 03:48 pm EDT 05/24/23 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 03:47 pm EDT 05/24/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Some Like It Hot left us COLD - steven_carter 09:52 am EDT 05/22/23 | |
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| The only star we see is the band leader. The STAR of the band, and lead singer, is not convincing at all as a singer for this kind of act, and why do they give so much of what she ought to be seeing to the band leader? Not to mention that despite being gorgeous and with a great voice (though I found it mismatched with the kind of singing that this kind of band would be utilizing), there is a lack of charm and wit and star quality in the *performance* as well as in the material. I never got from the performance or the show why the band and the Borle character are falling over themselves to keep her in the band or be in her company. But I will say I do not remember thinking her songs were not good. But I agree that she has been de-fanged as a character, so to speak. |
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| re: I think the problem is... | |
| Posted by: Dale 04:34 pm EDT 05/23/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Some Like It Hot left us COLD - steven_carter 09:52 am EDT 05/22/23 | |
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| The much need sax and bass are no longer needed since they are now a dance act for the band... HUH? | |
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| re: I think the problem is... | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 08:03 pm EDT 05/23/23 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 08:00 pm EDT 05/23/23 | |
| In reply to: re: I think the problem is... - Dale 04:34 pm EDT 05/23/23 | |
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| That wouldn't be a problem if this was directed by John Doyle! But as the pool of people who can act, sing, dance and possibly play instruments as well as an 802 member is very small, glad those kinds of productions are starting to diminish in quantity. | |
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