Do you like big flashy gay-ish drag spectacles with music by Cyndi Lauper, or do you like to watch a bunch of people push a truck around a stage for two and a half hours, accompanied by tunes from a Phish band member?
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Boots. (the early response to Hardbody is very weak)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I have not seen “Hardbody,” but I saw “Kinky Boots” in Chicago and I think you take the chance on “Hardbody”. It seems that the vote is split on “Hardbody” – you either love it or you hate it. And, at least for me, “Kinky Boots” is a generic musical and may be the “safer” choice (you will most likely, at the least, have an enjoyable time at the theatre), but, if you end up being on the side that loves “Hardbody,” I think you could be seeing something really special. For me, the risk of disliking “Hardbody” would be worth even just the possibility of loving it over “Kinky” (which, for me, is not something special).
Just my two cents. Enjoy the show, whichever you choose!
Having seen Kinky Boots in Chicago, I'd say it really depends on the type of show you want to see. Kinky Boots was okay, but I agree with GilmoreGirlO2 that it was pretty safe and generic.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
KINKY 100%...Having seen both this past week. I'd rather be entertained with fun costumes, a funky score, and cool set than bored watching a car be spun around by as cast.
I haven't seen "Kinky Boots," but I did see "Hands on a Hardbody," and for me, it was the most boring, trite, and uninspired musical I have ever seen. And I saw the Boston tryout of "101 Dalmatians."
***POTENTIAL SPOILERS***
For example, there's a joke about an older gentleman drinking a juice box. In addition to bad jokes, the show features overly preachy generic "sitcom" characters, and fails to provide a score that is worth watching them drop out and go away one by one. The most exciting moment in the show is when they honk the horn of the car. The show's penultimate statement is, "if you want something, don't let it go." The cast does their best, but in my opinion, the material is just not salvageable.
Just my opinion, but if I were given a choice between "Hardbody" and pretty much anything else on or off-Broadway right now, I'd pick the latter.
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joined:11/21/11
Posted: 3/6/13 at 08:40pm