MovieChat Forums > The Music Man (2003) Discussion > Chenowith/Broderick

Chenowith/Broderick

posted 21 years ago by Tamarah
16 replies | jump to latest

Though I admit there were moments of sweetness, particularly in her upper range, I must say that I have to disagree with those that say that Ms. Chenowith sang the part of Marian "dead-on". She approached the part with a cross between belting and a pop-feel, which would be great for things such as her role of Sally in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" but totally inappropriate for this role. Marian's songs are quite lovely, they need to be approached with care. I wanted to like her, I just couldn't. I found myself saying, when she'd sing the occasional *lovely* note, "There!!! Do that for ALL of all of the songs!"

Some of Broderick's stuff was actually pretty good--in places; I just think there needed to be more energy in his portrayal. "Trouble" was just dead in the water, as far as I'm concerned. He didn't have to be just like Preston, but it's almost like they tried so hard *not* to have him be like Preston that it fell flat.

And absolutely no chemistry. I didn't believe they loved each other. Not for a moment.

--Tamara

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] gretchkuhn 21 years ago

I absolutely adore Matthew Broderick, & I enjoyed him as Professor Harold Hill, but I am extremely picky about certain songs, "Ya Got Trouble" being one of them, which I find a most difficult song to do.
I thought that Matthew did an admirable job throughout the production. Keeping that under consideration, there is just ABSOLUTELY NO WAY that Matthew can ever replace Robert Preston as Harold Hill as he will always be the PENULTIMATE Harold Hill...
I love Barbara Cook, & I adore Shirley Jones, but I have found my new Favorite Marion the Librarian in Kristin Chenoweth. Exceptionally fussy about Marian's song "My White Knight," and I find both Shirley's & Barbara's version of this song almost too Opera-ish... Kristin's version, to me at least, is absolutely PERFECT! I have the Original Broadway, Movie Soundtrack, the New Broadway Revival, and I most definitely will be getting the soundtrack to this "the Music Man!"
I put Kristin is a similar class of superb ladies, featuring the Distictive Talents of the Delightfully Effervescent: Bernadette Peters, Eileen Fisher, & the late great forever-missed Madeline Kahn in the matter of Voice... I shall be watching Kristin's career avidly!

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] riversweezergrl 21 years ago

i agree with you. i did see a bit of chemistry between the two though. i love broderick's voice, and he is a wonderful actor, no doubt about that.

[–] craighan 15 years ago

I think you're unwittingly channeling Mayor Shinn - PENULTIMATE means the next to last, or in this context, second-best.

[–] wannabertist 15 years ago

Compared to the original, the whole thing was BORING! Except to add that Kristin C. has an amazing voice and it was the only thing that I enjoyed.

[–] sempergumby 15 years ago

Since Broderick was the Ultimate Harold Hill, it only makes sense that Preston was the Penultimate Harold Hill!!

As much as I loved Kristin Chenowyth's acting and expressions, her singing ability comes in second. Though in some songs the lesser pure vocal talent works better for some reason.

[–] StrongRex 15 years ago

I loved them both. Honestly, I liked Broderick's performance better, Preston just wasn't that convincing to me.

[–] amdm92 14 years ago

I don't think many would agree with your opinion Dan-the-man88 but I have to give Broderick credit I liked him in this role. But just like Yul Brynner in "The King and I" There is only one Prof. Harold Hill Robert Preston

[–] StrongRex 14 years ago

I don't think you can make that comparison with Harold Hill. Maybe with Judy Garland as Dorothy, but not Robert Preston as Harold Hill.

[–] thehair100 14 years ago

I felt Chenoweth and Broderick were cringe-inducing in the parts. Poorly acted, no chemistry, and not for one minute did I ever think they were in love. A total and complete botch. Meredith Willson and Robert Preston must have been rolling over in their graves. Why "The Music Man" was ever remade is beyond me. Totally miscast and unwatchable.

[–] StrongRex 14 years ago

Poorly acted, no chemistry, and not for one minute did I ever think they were in love.

The same could be said for Robert Preston and Shirley Jones.

[–] KristenStewartForever 8 years ago

Yep. Kristin is the best Marian ever

[–] jzydek 13 years ago

Totally agree with Tamara. Ms. Chenowith sings sweetly on her top end, because it's hard to sing wrong up high, but so easy to do so once you get down where it's more comfortable. It was a very inconsistent vocal production, not nearly sweet enough, and too much scooping and pop-style. Musical theatre is a totally different genre and style than pop. Someone should've told her that. Not happy with this production at all.....Matthew Broderick sang "We Got Trouble" as if he had studied it very very hard.....but there was no jump or style to it at all. Why try to improve on the original movie. The original movie was superb. No one can outdo Hermione Gingold in the role as Mrs. Shinn....or Paul Ford as the mayor.

June

[–] iluvcallalilies 13 years ago

When I simply listen to Broderick (not watch) - I like him a lot. I think his singing voice is great for the role. I did feel though that 76 Trombones and Trouble BOTH lacked the excitement they needed and Marian the Librarian needed softer/more romantic eyes. His eyes almost always look like "deer in the headlights" - I don't know if he can control that more or not, but that alone would've improved his performance substantially.

In some ways, I liked his portrayal because it was easier to believe that he'd fool people - the one problem with Preston's portrayal is that he was SO obviously slick, it was hard to fathom anyone falling for his gag. Broderick seemed more honest/real and less of a con - which a good con would need to do.

I had very mixed emotions about Chenowith. I usually like her a lot in her roles. This one didn't quite seem to fit her look or style. Marion needed to be "less flashy" more "dowdy" and also more "small town"... she seemed like the kind of person who would be dreaming of getting out of River City to go to the big city, which isn't accurate for the character at all - but to me seemed like the way she played it.

I missed many of the funny characters from the original for sure.

Bottom line - I liked this one fine just listening, but had several things I disliked when watching.

[–] KristenStewartForever 8 years ago

They got better chemistry than Robert and Shirley.