This is what passes for higher culture in our society?

[MadHound]

I know, I know, everybody has their own tastes, but the fact of the matter is that a Broadway show is usually held up as bastion of the more refined culture in our society.

Apparently no more. With a record breaking sixty five million dollar budget, apparently most of it was spent on technical gadgetry rather than things like an actual script worthy plot.

I realize that times and tastes change, but it seems our cultural repertoire is recycling itself. Instead of grand, original musicals opening on Broadway, then percolating into movies, we're now recycling not just movies, but comic books, and trying to turn them into high art. Frankly, I think it is a sad statement about our society, our culture, and apparently the complete lack of originality permeating our art. I mean really now, a comic book on Broadway?

I'm sure that I'll get dunned for my views, everybody has their own sense of taste. But ask yourself, is a show that is known for injuring its actors and technical wizardry, over things like acting, music and plot, really a cultural event worthy of Broadway?

Here's what the Times had to say about the preview.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/theater/29spiderman.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3&hp>

[eleny]

1. I wonder what the tickets will cost

[shraby]

2. They made "Lil Orphan Annie" into a musical on Broadway and

it became a huge success.

[MadHound]

3. Yes, but "Annie" was built around the music, not special effects.

Not to mention it had things like plot and acting. Spiderman is a sixty five million dollar special effects show, that's it, and apparently a malfunctioning special effects show.

[Swede]

4. How droll.

Who cares what the inspiration is,if it's good people will go see it.

[Radical Activist]

5. hmmm

I never thought of Broadway as higher culture. They've been the source of some good songs and a few great musicals. But they were the popular culture of their time before television and movies came along. There are at least a few movies made every year that surpass musicals in what I would call high culture.

And comics can be very culturally relevant. Spider Man hits on some profound universal themes of human existence. Many comics do. I have no idea if the Spider Man musical is any good but I wouldn't dismiss it because it's based on a comic book. Can it be any less high culture than the Broadway production of Monty Python and the Holy Grail?

[Drale]

6. I disagree

Comics books are not the bamf pow they where in the 1950's. Many deal with sensitive political topics, for instance Marvels last big even siege dealt with what would happen if a complete sociopath (Norman Osborn) got real power and was put in charge of a "peace keeping" military operation. Of course you know the hero's are always going to win in the end but bad stuff happens in between. But I agree with you on the point that there are very few original ideas in film or stage today.

EDIT: Also during siege there was a character who was a TV host who praised everything Osborn did no matter what, calling him a patriot and such. Very Glen Beck like.

[MadHound]

7. Oh I get that,

As a long time comic collector I watched comics make that leap.

But the trouble is with this musical. It isn't about anything politically relevant, socially stirring, etc. It is a special effects show, and apparently a malfunctioning one at that.

And both the movies, and apparently this show, don't draw any sort of inspiration from the more political undercurrents of comics, but rather just the BAM, POW stuff of the fifties.

[Sparkly]

8. Hilarious review of the preview!

Without seeing it, I can't comment on the script, music, etc.

Some marvelous operas have been composed based on thin and/or ridiculous plots, and people just like a spectacle. No doubt audiences loved seeing Mary Martin "fly" as Peter Pan.

On the other hand, I grimace a bit at the "Cirque du Soleil" aspect of performing arts sometimes.

AND, I am sure there's no shortage of great original work for Broadway, but the commercial aspects (not only creators having connections, but concepts having a familiar appeal to audiences) is a big factor.

Thanks for posting this! :)

[gratuitous]

9. Yes, let us return to the classics of yore

Cats and Starlight Express.

[Bluenorthwest]

10. Broadway is not always about 'high culture' and never was

And I wonder, did you see this show? Because you are making large comments about the piece that are not really reflected in the review. The show is not 'known' for the things you claim, it is not yet known at all, it has yet to open.
That which puts butts in seats and paychecks in performer's pockets is that which is worthy of Broadway.
It is unfair to the actors, writers, dancers and others to castigate their work if you have not seen it. It simply is. Additionally not everyone shares your view that stagecraft and special effects, lighting, sound and other technical aspects of theater as lesser parts of the art form.
The director of this show happens to be one hell of a talented person, she is by no means a hack. The music is by U2. It might suck. But to claim no thought has been given to anything but flash is a bit much.

[MineralMan]

11. I suggest you skip this show, then.

It appears that lots of people are eager to see it. One more seat for them, I suppose.

Why do you care?

[asdjrocky]

12. Screw that.

Comic books are a valid art form.

[swilton]

13. Technical wizzardry over acting and plot

That sums up how I feel about contemporary (especially US produced) cinema - still like foreign films though and I'm an avid NETFLIX fan.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. higher culture ...? count me in!

:smoke: