Monday, April 12, 2010

Million Dollar Quartet

The new rockabilly jukebox musical Million Dollar Quartet has just opened on Broadway. Sigh.

8 comments:

JamesChanceOfficial said...

"This rockabilly musical is as wholesome as a PBS concert -- the only thing lacking is a pledge drive."

I like it...I'm not surprised.

Elisabeth Vincentelli said...

What do you like, the show or my assessment?

JamesChanceOfficial said...

Your assessment. I'm curious about it, but it's difficult to imagine it being anything other than a Disney-fied version of history. Your tempered reaction to the show confirms my suspicions.

I was discussing this recently with a friend regarding the 2 movies that have been made about Chess Records (Cadillac Records, and Who Do You Love). The story lines mix fact & fiction, and my friend & I both wondered - if the story needs to be tarted up with made up facts, why tell it at all?

gih said...

Perhaps you are right Karate.

Elisabeth Vincentelli said...

It's possible to take facts as a starting point then create something new. But MDQ tries to have it both ways, using history as a safety net when it's convenient and making stuff up when it suits them. The use of the female character is typical: Elvis did bring a girlfriend to the studio, but she was a Vegas dancer and didn't sing -- unlike the one in the show.

JamesChanceOfficial said...

You're absolutely correct about starting with fact, and creating something new. I'm just not usually a fan of that. Personally, given the choice, I'll take non-fiction every time. The Chess Records movies did the same thing as MDQ. The history books would be much better served with a really good documentary.

Mike said...

Hi,

Great post at the post today -- and sorry this is off topic on your personal blog, but please tell me there's a mad wicked reunion song coming up on glee? Please. Oh dear lord, please.

Elisabeth Vincentelli said...

Alas, Cheno and Idina don't share screen time -- which is a huge missed opportunity, of course.