Recently I attended a presentation of the musical play "Man of La Mancha" in my hometown. It is a theatre of rather high esteem. The show did not work. I left not knowing what had happened. I viewed some high quality craft on stage, but the theme or story of the show did not resonate or even make its presence known. I wondered why, until I found this DVD on eBay, ordered it, and watched the classic movie starring Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren. The difference in the two productions easily defines "New School" Broadway, and it was simple. Also it was represented in the difference between the two shows on this collection DVD. "Man of La Mancha" was Old School acting. It was based upon communication, heterosexuality, and ethical and moral decisions of humanity. There was a Biblical element to the show and the main character as was there a romantic element between man and woman. Truly these characters were engaged in life and death struggles of survival, and it was apparent. "The Fantasticks" was Disney, and not even good Disney. Broadway today is rank amateur, and that metaphorically is represented by acting that is not based upon anything. The characters do not understand themselves, their situation, and never attempt to resolve them with communication, compassion, and humanity. They stand around singing into the air, looking at no one, and creating gestures with their bodies that mean nothing. "Showboat" is showing at this moment on the television on PBS, and it is no better. Cartoonish is the only way to describe the brutal misrepresentation of artist work. After enjoying "Man of La Mancha" immensely and enjoying an understanding of its moral or subject matter, I had to stop watching "The Fantasticks." A circa 1995 production suffered from the same ills as the amateur version of "Man of La Mancha" I saw at Cape Fear Regional Theater. They just didn't get it. They didn't research or understand their characters in the last. It turned into a campy drag show, as the gay men in the cast tried their best to keep their flaming nature in the box. While talented and somewhat entertaining, this undermined the story completely leaving Don Quixote flailing around mindlessly like Dudley Dooright. To be a Broadway actor of the equity caliber (being paid a professional wage) there should be an Inquisition of the theater to try and punish posers. The classic production of "Man of La Mancha" was worth the price of the DVD.Read full review
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How many times have we bitten off more than we can chew based on beliefs and values, and been beaten down just to keep rising up? That is Don Quixote to the max, never to be discouraged and in in defeat still victorious in spirit. This movie is for and one who believes in the old ways, for anyone who ever wanted to make a difference or be looked up to. I defy you to keep your eyes from tearing up a certain points of this movie.
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Man of La Mancha is great. I was not impressed by The Fantastics at all. I donβt know why it ran so long on Broadway.
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Great musicals!
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Good Product, works.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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