Friday night, while Pepperkat and a friend were asserting their independence by going to see Two Towers alone, the Mrs and Whiny and I took in Chicago.

Right off, you must realize that Whiny and I are not stereotypical men when it comes to musicals (I said stereotypical, don't get all huffy). We're both big fans of Rodgers and Hammerstein. One of my favorite movies of all time is The Wizard of Oz, and I love Lil' Abner - not to mention Little Shop of Horrors and all the Disney and Muppet musicals. So, the thought of going to see a musical wasn't a big stumbling block. What's kept me away since the opening of Chicago was a combination of doubt and Richard Gere.

The doubt came in because (other than the Disney, Muppet, Little Shop of Horrors films) I haven't seen a good movie musical produced since Oliver! or Fiddler on the Roof. I thought Cabaret was boring as hell, and A Chorus Line just plain sucked.

What? I suppose you thought those MTV videos like Moulin Rouge and Grease were great musicals? Or perhaps you're thinking of Car Wash or The Wiz?

I must admit, I have not seen Evita, and there's probably some other one that's come out in the last 30 years that's gonna hang me on this, but I can't think of them. So, I surmised that the chances of Chicago being on par with, say, The Music Man or The Sound of Music, were between slim and none.

Then there's Richard Gere.

I cannot remember a single thing I have ever seen him in that I liked. And not just him - the whole, damned movie!

American Gigolo? Blech!
An Officer and a Gentleman? Boring!
Pretty Woman? Gods no! That's got him and Julia Roberts. *shudder*