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Wonderful Town (1953)
Anyone with a long-ish memory for GHM writeups might be forgiven for asking a pertinent question here: surely you reviewed this already, Gil, or something very like it? This show has music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and it’s about New York. Did I like this show better when… Continue reading
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Xanadu (2007)
The history of this show: it was a movie in 1980 (everyone hated it, therefore cult classic status) itself apparently a remake of a 1947 (and probably thus less disco-oriented) movie about a muse coming to Earth to fix up a play besmirching the good name of her sisters. Apparently everyone, even the writer, was… Continue reading
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Lists and Recommendations
I originally listened to 260 musicals in 2009/2010. Here are some lists and recommendations: Twenty shows which I think are just great, although some are unlikely to be performed anytime soon, so you might as well listen to the score and use your imagination: 1776AmourBombay DreamsBright Lights, Big CityThe CapemanCurtainsDirty Rotten ScoundrelsIn The HeightsJane EyreKristinaLittle… Continue reading
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Bonnie & Clyde (2009)
Gil Hates Musicals reviews “Bonnie & Clyde” (2009), music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black, book by Ivan Menchell. Everyone’s familiar with the famous quote “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a musical in possession of a good soundtrack must be by someone other than Frank Wildhorn”. But it’s easy to forget that… Continue reading
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The Bridges of Madison County (2014)
You’d think this would be promising; it’s a straightforward love story, backed by a popular movie, and the occasionally problematic but essentially very talented Jason Robert Brown supplies music and lyrics. Unfortunately, and let me not beat about the bush on this one, it’s shit, and it’s his fault. There are 20 songs and the… Continue reading
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Name the badly-described musical
1. A hardworking cop is psychologically manipulated into killing himself by a thief. 2. You are eight years old and your emotionally-absent father hires a woman off the street to sing to you about how fun it is to drink cough syrup. 3. A woman loses her sister in a horrific construction accident and is… Continue reading
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What’s all this, then?
Here you will find many opinions of one Gil Jaysmith (that’s me). I have very strong opinions and very high standards. I hate most things, but will give you well-reasoned arguments as to why. And if I love something, I really love it and will do my best to persuade you to enjoy it too.… Continue reading
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The Art of Connection
In the ever-evolving world, the art of forging genuine connections remains timeless. Whether it’s with colleagues, clients, or partners, establishing a genuine rapport paves the way for collaborative success. Continue reading