Category Archives: Commentary

The “Happy Birthday, MISS SAIGON” Quiz

Posted on September 20, 2016 by David Fick

Today in 1989, Miss Saigon had its world premiere in London. Here’s a little quiz to celebrate. Continue reading →

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The Right Age to Be Annie

Posted on January 9, 2014 by David Fick

How old should an “Annie” be? Continue reading →

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TITANIC: the Broadway Musical vs the Blockbuster Movie

Posted on December 31, 2013 by David Fick

In 1997, two different versions of the “Titanic” story were told in two different styles in two different mediums. The film a fictional love story set against the backdrop of the ill-fated ship of dreams, while the musical used the stories of the real life Titanic passengers as a basis for its tale.
Continue reading →

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Dumbed Down Discourse: Challenges Facing Artists, Audiences and the Arts

Posted on December 31, 2013 by David Fick

Something’s been bubbling under for a long time. And IT has starting to erupt. IT started brewing a long time ago, and I’m only now realising what IT is… Continue reading →

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High School Musicals, or “Is Show X Appropriate for My Students?”

Posted on December 29, 2013 by David Fick

This question of which shows are appropriate for high school productions is a popular one on musical theatre forums and in Facebook groups about musicals, and has even been the subject of a few stories that have captured the attention of the press and websites. Continue reading →

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Not the Very Model of a Gilbert and Sullivan Fan

Posted on December 27, 2013 by David Fick

Thinking once again about the much revered comic operas of Victorian-era librettist and composer W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan and about why they’ve never become favourites of mine… Continue reading →

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TITANIC vs RAGTIME…

Posted on December 24, 2013 by David Fick

Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s TITANIC features one of the best musical theatre scores of the 1990s – but so does Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s RAGTIME. Continue reading →

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EVITA: the “Montage”

Posted on December 23, 2013 by David Fick

Is the “Montage” that takes us from Eva’s final collapse through to her deathbed “Lament” is really a satisfying moment dramatically. Continue reading →

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TITANIC Lyrics: Some Thoughts

Posted on December 17, 2013 by David Fick

Although I’m a fan of the show, Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s TITANIC has its critics. One of the most common criticisms I’ve heard in regard to the show has to do with its lyrics. So I thought I’d give the cast album another listen with this particular focus at an entry point. Continue reading →

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A TANGLED Song

Posted on November 1, 2010 by David Fick

We’re now able to hear one of the Alan Menken/Glenn Slater songs from Disney’s Tangled Rapunzel project: I’m not really sure what to make of it. It’s a sweet song, but I don’t get the stylistic link between the song … Continue reading →

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