Phantom of the Opera book review!

[lettered]

Hey, for those of you who don't care, which is most of you, Andrew Lloyd Webber is writing a sequel to Phantom of the Opera. The sequel's apparently going to be based on a book (read: published fanfic) called The Phantom of Manhattan, by Frederick Forsythe.

I have read this book, courtesy of my_daroga, who said it wasn't right to spend money on the thing. I was a trifle worried because even though I wish I hadn't spent money on Kay (author of another published POTO fic), I still like owning it. But I've come to the conclusion my_daroga was right. I don't need to own The Phantom of Manhattan. But in case I ever need to refer back to it, I've made a mini-version.



FRED: The original Phantom of the Opera story was written by Gaston Leroux, but dude, no way were there electric guitars in the time period in which old Gaston set the story. I know because I did research. *beams* Obviously, without electric guitars, there couldn't've been a rock beat Overture, so my best bud Gaston, Gassy for short, must've gotten everything wrong. Except for the fact that I'm still going to use all the stuff of his I want to.
READER: No one's slick as Gaston, no one's quick as Gaston
    No one's next as incredibly thick as Gaston
    For there's no man in town half as manly
    Perfect, a pure paragon!
    You can ask any Kay, Lon, or Andy
    And they'll tell you who's team they'd prefer you be on!
SIR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER: I'm so not friends with Tim Rice any more. Fred is my new boy toy.
FRED: zomg IT'S ANDY!!!!one!!!1!! You're such a BNF, zomg, you're way so much better than canon, zomg, I'm going to put you on my flist, zomg!!!!!!!!!1!!one!!
READER: Yeah, the thing is, I wasn't even a Leroux purist until you started pantyfanning ALW.
FRED: I can't believe you left fb for my fanfic, Andy! *secretly writes Fred/Andy slash* r0xorz.

end preface

MME. GIRY: Everything Gassy said about me is a lie. Also, Erik is a woobie who would never harm a fly! Also, I have a Jocasta complex that Fred isn't an interesting enough writer to explore. Also, take this letter to Erik in Manhattan, before I die.
SOME GUY: Okay.
MME. GIRY: *dies*
SCHUMACHER: The hell? *brings her back to life just before the movie auction, which is why she barely looks older in the movie*

ERIK: There's no way I could've travelled the world like Gassy said, but still be lonely. The only way for me lonely is for me to have only ever have lived under the opera. However, I can hang out at Coney Island, head up major corporations, make billions of dollars, have plenty of business partners, one named Darius, and still be lonely, so what gives?
DARIUS: Give? Who said anything about giving? You're not giving away money, are you? *frets*

SOME GUY: I need to deliver this letter to Erik. Mon dieu, do I want a hotdog.

CHOLLY BLOOM: I totally help Some Guy find Erik. More beer!
SOME GUY: Eh? Who you talking to?
CHOLLY BLOOM: And there was this guy there, Darius, and we give the letter to him instead of Erik. More beer!
SOME GUY: No, really, who're you talking to?
FRED: Shut up! I'm being stylistic.
CHOLLY BLOOM: Yeah, and there was this creepy painting with a masked guy.
MEG: He's there, the Phantom of the Opera!

DARIUS: Plot device, what is my plot?
PLOT DEVICE: You're dedicated to money. If Erik gets less dedicated than you are, kill what stands in the way.
DARIUS: Oh yeah. Groovy. Dude, sorry, little high, here.
PLOT DEVICE: It's okay. You do drugs because you're Teh Ev0l Villain Of The Piece. Erik can't be it in this one. Remember how he's a total woobie and would never hurt a fly? When you think about it, you're probably the one who killed Buquet and Piangi.
DARIUS: Damn, I gotta do everything. Especially drugs.
KAY: But opium is hawt. In Persia they--
FRED: Did Persia have electric guitars? Because without a rock beat theme song, it's so not gonna fly.

SOME OTHER GUY: There's a new opera house in town to compete with the Met. Christine's coming to America to sing at it. It's here, the battle of the operas.
SOME GUY: Who the hell are you?
SOME OTHER GUY: Total plot device.
PLOT DEVICE: Dude, how many of us are there?
FRED: Shut up! I'm being stylistic.

PIERRE: Am I a plot device, too?
PRIEST TEACHER: Yeah, you're here to ask me questions so we can show off all the research Fred did.
PIERRE: What research did he do?
PRIEST TEACHER: Fancy you should ask! Allow me to dissertate. *dissertates* It's a whole bunch of pointless stuff about Irish immigrants and the Church, or something, so I can tell you my life story.
PIERRE: What's your life story?
PRIEST TEACHER: Fancy you should ask! Allow me to dissertate. *dissertates* It's a damn boring story, actually, but now I can tell you your life story, too!
PIERRE: What's my life story?
PRIEST TEACHER: Fancy you should ask! You're Christine's son, and we're going to the USA to find your baby-daddy.
PIERRE: Who is my baby-daddy?
PRIEST TEACHER: Fancy you should ask!
PIERRE: What is foreshadowing?
PRIEST TEACHER: Fancy you should ask!

SOME OTHER OTHER GUY: Prima donna, first lady of the stage! Your devotees, are on their knees, to make gratuitous mention of Sir Walter Raleigh for your arrival in America!
MEG: Speaking of America, he's here, the Phantom of the Opera.
CHRISTINE: Dude. You mean Manhattan. Read the damn title, lackey.
MEG: So should've been an Empress. How come no ficcers ever take Gassy up on that? At least Schumacher made me hot.
CHRISTINE: 'Sup, America? My opera brings all the boys to the yard. Damn right, it's better than yours.
AMERICA: *votes for her on American Idol*

CHOLLY BLOOM: Barbara Walters, so PWNd. I got an exclusive interview with Christine Daae, her plot device, and a toy monkey! More beer!
TOY MONKEY: I thought I was the plot device?
PIERRE: We all are, kind of. Here, let me scramble you. See, I inherited vast mechanical skill from my father. Which just goes to show you, genetics can be tricky, as both Erik's parents were total slackers. But it's a proven fact that if your parents didn't have children, you probably won't either. Which makes it weird how I think I'm Raoul's son.
TOY MONKEY: Masquerade! Paper faces on parade!
CHRISTINE: Crap. He's here, the Phantom of the Opera.
MEG: Totally called it.

ERIK: Guess I should read that letter Giry sent me. I've been meaning to, but I've been busy. (sings) It's hard out there for a pimp!
(reads) GIRY: you know that dude Raoul? Yeah, well, I'm his Slightly Larger Lottie. Weird, huh, seeing as how he never acted like he knew me. Anyway, you'd never guess it, but his schlong doesn't work!
ERIK: How do you know--wait a minute! TMI! TMI!
GIRY: No! It's not like that! His penis was . . . abducted by aliens!
ERIK: Likely story.
GIRY: No! I . . . happened to be around when his penis got shot, and the doctor just happened to tell me!
ERIK: Likely story.
GIRY: I heard it in the girls' locker room?
ERIK: Fine. That means Pierre is a son of mine! It never occurred to me Christine's son could be of my line! If I rhyme my thoughts, Andy might love me lots, make a sequel out of me, and make Fred squee! *jazz hands*

SOME OTHER OTHER OTHER GUY: Let me tell you about my job. Which no one cares about. Let me tell you all the research Fred did. Which no one cares about. Let me tell you what happened when Christine came to the Coney Island to find out where the monkey comes from. Which by now, no one cares about.
CHRISTINE: Should I be keeping my hand at the level of my eyes, 'cause last time I didn't, I got knocked up.
ERIK: And that was a totally fun bout of punjabbing Andy never told you about. Welcome to my Persain torture cha--
FRED: Ixnay on the Ersainpay! Also I'm axing that whole Punjab thing as you couldn't go to the Punjab and be lonely at the same time. I have to prove Gassy wrong!
ERIK: Sure, okay. Anyway, toots, here's the thing. My moment of grace? There at the end, last time we met? Was totally a sham. I'm still all up for ruining your life.
CHRISTINE: Up for anything else? *checks watch* 'Cause I think we have time for a quickie before you tie Raoul up and threaten to kill him again.
ERIK: So, Raoul. Sucks that he was impotent, huh. I'd totally've tapped that.
CHRISTINE: *runs away*
~meanwhile, in the toy store~
NEW MONKEY TOY: I'm a Yankee Doodle dandy!
NEXT MONKEY TOY: I'm a Yankee Doodle dandy!
NEXT MONKEY TOY: I'm a Yankee Doodle dandy!
DARIUS: *corners Pierre, alone* Hey, kid. Are you a Yankee Doodle dandy? *wink wink*
PRIEST TEACHER: I don't want in on that action, even if I am a Catholic priest. *confronts Darius*
DARIUS: *is confronted* Oh, hey, by the way, I go around shouting things in Latin.
CHOLLY BLOOM: Ixnay on the what, now?

PRIEST TEACHER: Omigawd.
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: Yo, what up?
PLOT DEVICE: You totally stole my line.
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: Whatevs. This about Christine again? 'Cause I done told you, it's okay you lust after her. I lust after her too. Which is possibly how she was able to concieve when Raoul is impotent and we all know the Phantom never slept with her, because Andy is right in all things, and you can't have sex on stage.
PLOT DEVICE: Pierre is the Messiah?
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: Shh. Don't tell anyone.
PLOT DEVICE: *totally tells Darius*
PRIEST TEACHER: Hey, speaking of Darius, I'd like to redeem--
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: No can do, bro. Darius is Teh Ev0l Villain Of The Piece.
PRIEST TEACHER: I thought in the eyes of God we all--
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: Whatever, dude. You should focus on Erik. He's fucking hot, yo.
PRIEST TEACHER: But Erik loves Christine. And Christine is married to Raoul.
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: You're way more dynamic than Raoul.
PRIEST TEACHER: You sound weirdly like Frederick Forsythe.
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: Focus here. You want a piece of that Erik action, look for another and greater love.
PRIEST TEACHER: Eh?
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: Hint--it ain't the holy spirit. Off to go deliver more souls through chimneys, now. Remember what I told you. *winks*
PRIEST TEACHER: No, seriously, eh?
FATHER,SON,&HOLY_SPIRIT: Hint--first name, patronymic, but not the surname. Two thirds of the holy trinity. You know, Father Kilfoyle.
PRIEST TEACHER: EH?

SOME OTHER GUY: I'm back!
READER: Who the hell are you? And where the hell is the actual plot?
FRED: Shut up! I'm being stylistic.
SOME OTHER GUY: He was here, the Phantom of the Opera.
CHRISTINE: Of Manhattan! Read the goddamn title!
SOME OTHER GUY: No, really, he was in the opera you just performed in for the opening of the new opera house. Because Fred, I mean, Erik, though a genius, has no original ideas.
CHRISTINE: Dang, Erik was there? *checks watch* I wonder if we had time for a quickie.

SOME GAL: So you know that guy Raoul? His schlong doesn't work!
CHOLLY BLOOM: No way!
SOME GAL: Way! And the Phantom was at the Opera!
CHOLLY BLOOM: No way!
SOME GAL: Way! And he gave a note to Christine!
CHOLLY BLOOM: No, fuckin', way! ...Did they have time for a quickie? 'Cause that's a way juicier scoop...
SOME GAL: I dunno. I was distracted by gratuitous mentions of FDR.

CHOLLY BLOOM: Oh, did you guys want plot? 'Cause first I'm going to give a dissertation on journalism, which only vaguely and very poorly connects to Fred's attempts to build on Gassy's style through a series of journalistic fragments--
FRED: Shut up! I'm being stylistic!
CHOLLY BLOOM: And after that, I need to give you a quick overview of the entire novel up to this point, which would've been way better in script format, with mocking commentary--
TKP: Shut up! I'm being stylistic!
CHOLLY BLOOM: And then I'll tell you that Ixnay on the onsay means Darius wanted to shoot Pierre, seeing as how Pierre's the messiah and Darius only had the One Ring, I mean, One God, but Darius missed and shot Christine. Then Erik shot Darius. Christine kicked the bucket.
CHRISTINE: Slow down! Gimme my final words, at least. I mean, seeing as how I'm dying here--Erik, got time for a quickie?
ERIK: Dude, you're dying.
CHRISTINE: That's alright. You practically raped me last time. And seeing as how you let Raoul and I go by a mistake, apparently, instead of having learned any kind of humanity, I thought we could hump like wild monkeys.
PIERRE: *looks thoughtfully at monkey toy*
CHRISTINE: By the way, Pierre, Erik is yo' baby-daddy. *dies*
ERIK: I am your father.
DARTH VADER: My voice is actually cooler than Michael Crawford's and Gerard Butler's combined. Just stating a fact, here.
PIERRE: (to Erik) Won't you be my daddy?
ERIK: Dude. You don't even know me.
PIERRE: Yeah, but Raoul is impotent.
RAOUL: *hangs head* I really am.
ERIK: Why, exactly, would you choose me to be your daddy just because my schlong works? Is there something else Giry didn't tell me?
RAOUL: Well, you made all those monkey boxes. They really ...affected me. Made me want to be your Yanky Doodle dandy. If you know what I mean.
ERIK: If I were the truly creepy motherfucker in tkp's head, I totally would. Instead, *platonic love*
RAOUL: *platonic sadness* No, I mean really. *platonic*.

-

FRED: And they all lived happily ever after. Except for Meg. Who doesn't interest me enough to mention.
SCHUMACHER: And except for Christine, who I resurrect so she can have a long happy life with Raoul, who's not impotent and actually has some badassitude even if he does have bad hair, and then kill off again.
VIEWERS: No wonder she looks like a zombie.

Comments

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

AHAHAHAHAHA. I am never reading/watching this and I actually like Webber. He writes fun music. Not, you know, good. But fun.

You, however, are brilliantly hysterically funny :)

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I love ALW. You're right about him not being a genius, but he hits all my buttons! He's like a Harlequinn writer of musicals, or something. But I'll totally see a Phantom of the Opera sequel, even one based on this atrocity, 'cause I am a sad sad phangirl.

and hee! thanks! The book itself is actually quite funny. But when you read it, you're not laughing *with* it...

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

Bwhahahaha! I read Phantom of Manhattan *years* ago, but from what I rememeber . . . that's pretty accurate.

I can't believe ALW is involved with this sequel. I really, really can't. I can't actualy believe a musical version of Phantom of Manhattan is going to exist. It shouldn't. That should not happen.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty shocked at the badness of this books.

From what I understand, the sequel is still in the planning stages? Or something. As I told Ladycat--I'm such a sad fangirl, I'd definitely go see it if it gets done. I'm even excited about it. Mostly about mocking it, but I'm still excited. Phantom! Swirly cape! Love!

Being a True Phangirl can be challenging

[seraphcelene]

That was awesome!!! You shouldn't make me laugh so hard while I'm at work. People stare.

It's so sad when good things go wrong. They're re-making Halloween and I'm scared. Only it's Rob Zombie so it has a chance. But good or bad I'll be there to see it because I love Michael Myers. *sigh*

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'll see it. I am defenseless against PotO in any incarnation. I am ALSO defenseless against angst-ridden musical theater. I think it is highly unfair of them to exploit my weaknesses like this.

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

I will probably buy the soundtrack before I have seen the play. Someone should save me from myself.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you were a sad, sad phangirl too! *loves! all over!*

I am actually not so very defenseless against angst-ridden musical theatre, myself. I'm lucky that way. But I'm totally weak against characters like Erik. With the ugliness, inside, and the self-hatred, and the innocent-savior-girl-love--I just get wibbly.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

hee! It won't be me. because lj is my place of the damned.

Re: Being a True Phangirl can be challenging

[tkp.livejournal.com]

hahaha! Do you like POTO? I didn't know!

I don't think I ever saw the original Halloween. I think I saw one of the sequels? Anyway, don't kill me. I just can't do it; I am not fond of the genre.

[sweptawaybayou.livejournal.com]

*dies*

duuuuuuuude. Why does *everything* need a sequel? Sheesh!

and you are so funny.

*adores*

Re: Being a True Phangirl can be challenging

[seraphcelene]

Don't throw tomatoes! I've only seen the Joel Schumacher movie. I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did considering his track record.

The original Halloween is awesome, but Halloween II is my favoritest. I'm not a hack and slash kind of girl, things like Saw and Touristas, The Hills Have Eyes are WAY too graphic for me, but I LOVE the stuff with Atmosphere: Poltergeist, Halloween, The Ring, The Messengers (until the very end reveal).

The suggestive stuff is the stuff I love, where they really play with the music or the images so that you're just on the edge of your seat waiting for something to happen.

Re: Being a True Phangirl can be challenging

[tkp.livejournal.com]

The movie is pretty faithful to the ALW version, which is what I fell in love with in the first place, so no tomatoes. Besides, the POTO I love most only exists INSIDE MY MIND.

For a while I kept thinking I should like horror movies, because I'm interested in the atmospheric aspect as well. I like suspense. But they pay off in horror movies has never once satisfied me, and I gave up on them altogether.

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

I am a sad, sad phangirl. *loves back* It's good to have company.

My favorite thing just about ever is when fictional characters randomly burst into song. If they are singing about their emo pain? I usually can't even conatin myself. (Guess what my favorite episode of BtVS is. GUESS).

I love Erik a lot; he doesn't really make me wibbly so much and innocent-savior-girl-love isn't always my thing. But dark and twisted? Dark and twisted is (pretty much) always my thing. And dark and twisted and RANDOMLY BURSTING INTO SONG? *dies*

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I used to wish there were more sequels to stuff when I was littler. Because I've always had a fannish personality. But now that they actually *are* making sequels of everything and its mom, I wish they would stop! It's awful.

and hee, thanks!

[i-palimpsest.livejournal.com]

ERIK: How do you know--wait a minute! TMI! TMI!

And THIS is where my brain gave me a mental picture. It was the stage set and everything.


We'd been saying - It's gonna suck but . . .we'll go anyway. Now; I'm not so sure. I saw the show 3 times, I had issues with the movie. (Totally could have done it better) POTO was my first real fandom, (Although not disturbingly my first ship but that's another story) and I'm a bit purist with it. Kay is my bible thought not Leroux. Course she didn't change it - more extended on it.


*goes to find Kay to wipe the badness from my mind*

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

Brilliant - a first-order wank!

Laughing scared

[imnotacommittee.livejournal.com]

Since it's Good Friday, I feel very torn. Torn between being am afraid that your recap is false and I believed it and that's really the plot of the sequel and the Phantom has been bastardized even more than Gerard Butler managed to do.

ALW is really considering this?! He goes from a triumphant SoM re-do to do this!!??? And he is ear-candy. Fun, melodic, over-the-top productions that are easy to lose one's self in. Or they can be chills-down-your-arm creating, like Jesus Christ, Superstar.

But, I just love your recaps. They're hysterical and so accurate. Of course my favorite bit was the Vader reference.

If one could attach an emotion to a comment, it would be: SCARED

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Hee! All these people I didn't know were phans!

I'll go anyway. As I said somewhere above, the version of POTO I like the best is in my head, so I enjoy watching other interpretations. Even the stupid ones.

Kay is my bible thought not Leroux. Course she didn't change it - more extended on it.

I would say she changed it dramatically, but then again I'm not a big Kay fan.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Ha! And for all that, I'd still want to see it!

Re: Laughing scared

[tkp.livejournal.com]

That's really the plot of the sequel. Yes, scared is a great way to describe my emotional state regarding it.

And he is ear-candy. Fun, melodic, over-the-top productions that are easy to lose one's self in.

Yes! That's a perfect way to put it!

Or they can be chills-down-your-arm creating, like Jesus Christ, Superstar.

This was like the first Easter we didn't listen to that. Instead we went to go see "Wicked".

and hee! thanks.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Guess what my favorite episode of BtVS is. GUESS

Selfless? Haha. 'Cause the song in that one is way more random that OMWF. Though it's in the same 'verse as OMWF and can be explained away that way. That's my thing with musicals--I need an excuse as to why the characters are bursting into song. In OMWF there's mystical explanation; POTO, they're at the opera. But musicals like, I dunno, Les Mis--I don't understand why they're singing about their emo pain so it tends to bother me. Even though I like Les Mis alright.

innocent-savior-girl-love isn't always my thing

That is why I am such a die hard B/Aer and you are not! *squish*

Dark and twisted is my thing when it's on the inside and the character is trying to do the right thing on the outside anyway. Which is why POTO has to have it's ending or I'd be way less interested.

And dark and twisted and RANDOMLY BURSTING INTO SONG? *dies*

bahaha!

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'd definitely see it too.

[i-palimpsest.livejournal.com]

Maybe I need to go back and re-read Leroux.

I'd always found Leroux to be lacking in backstory - I like that Kay filled it in.

But it's been a while since I read Leroux

[my_daroga]

Wow. Not only did I get an awesome recap (I especially like the guitar bits), I get tkp to reference POTO in her journal! I feel like I've succeeded at something big.

Great work. Now I don't need to reread it. Not that I would, but you know.

LOL IMPOTENCE

DOOOOOD... when will the POTO that is in our minds be made? And what if they're not the same, which they probably aren't?

What do I do about this fandom?

[tkp.livejournal.com]

There should be more poto references in this lj. I whole heartedly concur. I really want to branch out and be more multi-fannish.

I don't think the POTO in our minds is the same, but I bet they're close enough where if there was a certain version made, we would both be really pleased by it.

Though this whole BtVS comic thing has really got me thinking about canon and what canon is, and I have decided it's INSIDE OUR MINDS. Like in all our fantasies, we always knew. Or something. I have meta on it but I know I'm going to agonize days over compiling a post about it, and then metafandom won't pick it up and people won't comment on it and I'll feel depressed. *whines*

What do I do about this fandom?

LOVE IT. FEAR IT. And when I make you themed cupcakes: EAT IT. Yay!

[tkp.livejournal.com]

There really isn't that much backstory in Leroux. He hints at it, but yeah, I, too, was very curious about Erik's life, and Kay's take on it was a great idea. I just don't prefer her style, and her tendency to woobiefy Erik, and the lack of some of the themes that're present in Leroux. But in the end, I'm not a big Leroux purist, either. It's not really a Great Book and I rarely recommend it to people, even POTO fans. Personally I think it's nice that we all have our versions we prefer.

[my_daroga]

I don't think the POTO in our minds is the same, but I bet they're close enough where if there was a certain version made, we would both be really pleased by it.

This is me, concurring. Yes.

And I will comment on any fannishness you write about. I haven't read the S8 comics yet. I am probably waiting for them to come out in a trade paperback, like I did with Fray. Because individual comics? I don't get that format. Never have.

And when I make you themed cupcakes: EAT IT.

Oh my god. POTO-themed cupcakes??

Don't tease me. I want them now.

The scorpion, or the grasshopper?

Re: Laughing scared

[imnotacommittee.livejournal.com]

Instead we went to go see "Wicked".

OHHHHH!!!!!

What did you think!? Did you like it? How were Elphie and Glinda? Was Popular in your head for hours afterward?

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

If it's serious and if it's a movie (and not about, like, opera singers), sometimes I need a reason too. Like old musicals-as-movies are fine. Anything on stage is always fine. Anything played with muscial convention is fine. (I'm thinking Jesus Christ Superstar - clearly serious, but also clearly a musical). Come to think of it, the only thing that ever gave me pause was Rent the movie. I love Rent, and I've seen it on stage several times. I like the movie well enough too, but it was so gritty that it seemed sort of . . . not in keeping with the genre. I love Les Mis too, but the musical version as a movie probably wouldn't work as well for me as the stage production did.

*love* "Selfless." I just like OMWF because it has more singing. And because it depresses me less. *sniff*

I love B/A, but yeah, I don't know if I'd call myself die hard. *g* I don't know that I really see Buffy as innocent though. In the beginning she is and compared to Angel she absolutely is, but there's that darkness in her as well and I think I'd like the ship less if there wasn't. Eh, I don't know. Sometimes it does work for me just fine. I do like Erik and Christine and you're right, POTO ends the only way it can - which is why they should not be forcing me to watch this sequel. *g*

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

Also! I totally have not forgotten about you and H/D. *g* I know you said no rush, but I will respond this weekend. *squish*

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I agree that individual comics are kind of...well, I find them unfulfilling.

Dude, scorpion and grasshopper cupcakes would be awesome.

Re: Laughing scared

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I loved it! Well, okay, I loved the story, and most of all, the characters and way they related to each other. I wasn't a huge fan of any of the songs, but I liked them alright. The sound was not optimal at the theatre, which surprised me. It also surprised me that the production didn't seem to make better use of the stage. Other musicals I've seen--Lion King, POTO--are very In Your Face, they feel like they bring you right in. This was very: we are people, dancing on a stage! But that is the critic in me coming out, overall I really really loved it, especially Elphie and Glinda and their dynamic.

The Elphaba was quite good, could really belt it out, but overall she didn't make me really go oooh (she was the understudy. Everyone I was with was very impressed with her). Glinda, however, was the awesomest awesome, and I'm not certain I could ever see anyone different play her. Her body language was just incredible. She was snobby and ditzy and hyper, but every move and every action was just so *endearing*, completely adorable. I wanted to squish her.

I didn't find "Popular" as catchy as other people keep talking about. I think partly it was the way she sang it--she put a *lot* of personality in it, so much that maybe it took away from the musicality of it, but it really added to the atmosphere. It was sooo cute! I need to buy the soundtrack.

Speaking of soundtracks, I got your cds in the mail! I was going to email you about it, but for some reason I can't access my hotmail account at work today, and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the package! So much stuff! I can't wait to listen to it all. I'll probably email you again with What I Thought. As it stands now, thanks a BILLION. I love how I can rely on you for all my SoM needs! *hugs*

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Come to think of it, the only thing that ever gave me pause was Rent the movie.

Hahah! That's so funny! I was going to use "Rent" as the example, rather than Les Mis, but since I've only seen the movie and never the stage production, I thought it wouldn't quite be fair to the show. Watching the movie, which I didn't like all that much, I kept thinking, "This would be *awesome* on stage", to the point where I guessed I wouldn't have a problem with the singing. But as a movie in really flopped for me.

"Selfless" is my least favorite ep in all 7 BtVS seasons. Part of it is definitely the song. OTOH, I *love* OMWF.

I don't know that I really see Buffy as innocent though. In the beginning she is and compared to Angel she absolutely is, but there's that darkness in her as well and I think I'd like the ship less if there wasn't.

I completely agree. The reason I love what I'm called the dark/innocent dynamic is that I really like to see the dark one rediscover some innocence in himself that he was too jaded to see, and for the innocent one to come into a darkness of her own. Especially when she accepts that darkness in order to go on fighting for light, like Buffy does.

POTO ends the only way it can - which is why they should not be forcing me to watch this sequel.

Yeah, it pretty much defeats the defining thing I love about POTO.

Thanks again for looking over the h/d...but don't feel obliged, or anything! I haven't touched it in a while...

[my_daroga]

Worse even than weekly television.

And yeah. That'll be my birthday treat. Except no one will understand. But I can make each of them choose! And mock them.

And be a big ol' dork.

There needs to be scorpion cupcake fic.

[tkp.livejournal.com]

Worse even than weekly television.

Which I feel the same way about but am not as good as you at not putting up with it.

But I can make each of them choose! And mock them.

And be a big ol' dork.

OMG I LOVE IT! I wish cupcakes would hold up in the mail!

There needs to be scorpion cupcake fic.

How would that work, exactly?

[my_daroga]

Which I feel the same way about but am not as good as you at not putting up with it.

I live with someone even more upset about it than me.

OMG I LOVE IT! I wish cupcakes would hold up in the mail!

Haha, I know! But when we all meet, to see (and mock) PoM when it comes out, we'll bring cupcakes.

How would that work, exactly?

I don't know... Christine's all worried about what to choose, but only because one of them is vanilla with chocolate frosting, and the other is chocolate with vanilla frosting?

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I don't know... Christine's all worried about what to choose, but only because one of them is vanilla with chocolate frosting, and the other is chocolate with vanilla frosting?

Bahhaahhaha!

But when we all meet, to see (and mock) PoM when it comes out, we'll bring cupcakes.

We HAVE to do that.

[my_daroga]

We HAVE to do that.

I'm holding you to that.

Damn, now I want sweets again. I blame you. I wonder if the corner store has cream for me to make fudge with?

[tkp.livejournal.com]

You're bad.

I'm eating healthy. Yay!

[my_daroga]

Dude, it's been, like, a week. I just want to eat bad stuff! I have been very very good. But thinking bad thoughts.

It's usually not this hard!

Wicked!!!

[imnotacommittee.livejournal.com]

Yaay!! I'm so glad you liked it! I was never a big fan until Kerry told me she got a couple of tickets for it in London and asked if I wanted to go. Even then I wasn't all that into it. Then Liz burned the CD for me and I was hooked when I heard Fiyero (sp) singing "Maybe I'm brainless..." and I realized he was the Scarecrow. COOL!!!!

Anyway, I can burn you a copy of that CD too, if you'd like.

I loved the story, and most of all, the characters and way they related to each other.

Yes, they were all rather realistic, given you only had two and a half hours to get to know them and there was all that singing and flying on broomsticks and stuff.

It also surprised me that the production didn't seem to make better use of the stage.

Huh. Good point. I guess because Wicked, even though it's a big stage production, is a bit more internal of a story than PoTO and Lion King, which are more iconic in nature.

The Elphaba was quite good, could really belt it out, but overall she didn't make me really go oooh

It's a tough role. That note at the end of Defying Gravity just seems so hard. Even the girl who originated it on Broadway and London isn't the universal fave of the fans. If you look up the Tonys performance, she's dreadfully flat and very unimpressive. But when I saw her in London (!!!!), she was amazing. Kerry's seen it three times already and I think is set to see it again soon. The woman is addicted.

Glinda, however, was the awesomest awesome, and I'm not certain I could ever see anyone different play her... I wanted to squish her.

Yay!!! Glinda is so much fun. All that pink and glamour. It takes a hell of an actress to be snobby and make you want to squish her (in a good way) at the same time.

I didn't find "Popular" as catchy as other people keep talking about.

You're lucky :-) The damn song stayed in my head for a week. But I envy the performance your Glinda gave for that song. She sounds like she truly lived the lyrics and became more memorable than the song itself.

So, now that you've seen it, do you think it would make a good movie? I can just picture, so clearly, Elphaba flying over the end part of Defying Gravity, the camera panning over her as Oz is below her then cutting to the Wizard as she sings "No Wizard that there is or was..." oh! It would rock!!!

Speaking of soundtracks, I got your cds in the mail!

Oh good! I'm glad they made it to you safely. You're very, very welcome, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts! And I take my SoM-sharing duty very seriously. *Hugging back*

PS, if you'd like a copy of Wicked, just let me know.:-)

Re: Wicked!!!

[tkp.livejournal.com]

I was hooked when I heard Fiyero (sp) singing "Maybe I'm brainless..." and I realized he was the Scarecrow.

That occured to me, but I wasn't really thinking about it. It wasn't until the lion cub that I realized Fiyero was probably the Scarecrow, 'cause the lion was the Cowardly.

because Wicked, even though it's a big stage production, is a bit more internal of a story than PoTO and Lion King

That's definitely true. I still wish it had reached out to me more, though.

If you look up the Tonys performance, she's dreadfully flat and very unimpressive.

I'm practically tone deaf, so I don't notice things like that...but I do notice when a singer Absolutely Thrills me rather than just...mildly impresses me. The gal we saw was impressive but just not as staggering as some.

She sounds like she truly lived the lyrics and became more memorable than the song itself.

Exactly!

So, now that you've seen it, do you think it would make a good movie?

I was thinking about that! The thing is...I liked the story and characters way better than I liked the songs in this. Also, you know me and musicals...I want there to be a *reason* people are bursting into song and I don't really see that in this. It's a cool production, but I think if I were to make it into a movie I'd leave the songs out (possibly base it more on the book--I haven't read it, though). I say that, but if they did make it into a musical movie I would *definitely* see it and probably enjoy it!

if you'd like a copy of Wicked, just let me know

Thanks so much! I think I'm just going to buy it...since I don't know all the words already I need the booklet, and I like owning booklets ;o)

Re: Wicked!!!

[imnotacommittee.livejournal.com]

I'm practically tone deaf, so I don't notice things like that...but I do notice when a singer absolutely Thrills me rather than just...mildly impresses me. The gal we saw was impressive but just not as staggering as some.

I'm hopelessly un-musical too. As much as I would love to be able to have some sort of rhythm or tone-quality, I don't. But, like you, I do notice when a singer wows me. I first heard a Wicked song on the Tonys and was so unimpressed by that performance, I had no desire to see the show. It wasn't until I heard the CD that I fell for it.

I was thinking about that! The thing is...I liked the story and characters way better than I liked the songs in this. Also, you know me and musicals...I want there to be a *reason* people are bursting into song and I don't really see that in this. It's a cool production, but I think if I were to make it into a movie I'd leave the songs out (possibly base it more on the book--I haven't read it, though). I say that, but if they did make it into a musical movie I would *definitely* see it and probably enjoy it!

In another comment, you said you were reading the book now. You're probably all done with it at this point :-) What did you think? I found it unteresting, but a bit too convoluted, religion was WAY too thinly veiled as Christianity (the book was praised for its originality), and none of the characters were all that likable. I seem to have that problem a lot lately. But it's true. I didn't really feel for any of them. But I'll stop any comments until you've conveyed you're done reading it :-)

But for a movie, the songs are very simple, especially considering the source they came from. If any would be cut for a film, I'd think the Wizard songs would be. Other songs, like Dancing Through Life, What is this Feeling?, or March of the Witch Hunters work for plot-moving sequences. (Yes, I've thought about this a lot!)
If they make a non-musical movie based more on the book, I wonder how dark they'd be willing to go, because that book got pretty violent in some spots.

Thanks so much! I think I'm just going to buy it...since I don't know all the words already I need the booklet, and I like owning booklets ;o)

I understand 100%. I like booklets myself, especially with the libretto included. Hopefully, you've already bought it and are enjoying it :-)

[zibbycomix.livejournal.com]

This was hilarious! And I've never even read the book (Andrew Lloyd Weber, or the original). Somehow I just can't picture ALW writing a book.... Anyway, I had fun reading this! =)

[tkp.livejournal.com]

ALW didn't write a book. He wrote the musical, and is writing the sequel, also a musical.

[zibbycomix.livejournal.com]

OOhhhh, I misunderstood. I missed the part about Frederick Forsythe writing the sequel to the book. Whoops! =P