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Post by FrontroverPaul on Aug 19, 2022 10:30:42 GMT
I understand the backlash against the increasing number of jukebox musicals, film adaptations and revivals, meaning fewer innovative and creative new works open in mainstream theatres, but musical theatre is part of show business. The people whose investment may ultimately lead to a long-running West End show will have done their homework and be hoping for a return on their money. Not everyone but
surely the vast majority.
If I had had a hundred thousand to spare a few years or decades ago with the opportunity of investing it in a musical based on Only Fools & Horses or Pretty Woman or The Four Seasons I would have gone for it. Dear Evan Hansen, Spring Awakening or Alanis Morissette probably not.
If Greatest Showman is being developed as a stage musical I'm more than happy to invest a chunk of the kids' inheritance in it if there's an opportunity. Certainly if I'm still here I will be sitting at this PC to book tickets for the show the second it goes on sale along with thousands of others.
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Post by Jon on Aug 19, 2022 10:54:43 GMT
I understand the backlash against the increasing number of jukebox musicals, film adaptations and revivals, meaning fewer innovative and creative new works open in mainstream theatres, but musical theatre is part of show business. The people whose investment may ultimately lead to a long-running West End show will have done their homework and be hoping for a return on their money. Not everyone but surely the vast majority. If I had had a hundred thousand to spare a few years or decades ago with the opportunity of investing it in a musical based on Only Fools & Horses or Pretty Woman or The Four Seasons I would have gone for it. Dear Evan Hansen, Spring Awakening or Alanis Morissette probably not. If Greatest Showman is being developed as a stage musical I'm more than happy to invest a chunk of the kids' inheritance in it if there's an opportunity. Certainly if I'm still here I will be sitting at this PC to book tickets for the show the second it goes on sale along with thousands of others. People on here often forget that show business is a commercial enterprise, the clue is in the name. Even the classics like My Fair Lady or Fiddler on the Roof are based on existing material. |
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 19, 2022 10:54:44 GMT
I think the negativity in general may be due to so much that's being announced is so insipid, like the endless string of movie adaptations. My heart sinks every time when I read "[Movie from the 80s/90s] is being adapted for the stage!" - when it eventually comes out, it may be a positive surprise and I may grow to like or even love it, but initially I just can't muster much interest. Same goes for the endless deluge of jukebox musicals, especially now that they have regressed from creating original stories around the songs (as in Mamma Mia) to just tribute shows like Tina and Drifters Girl. I WISH with all my heart that there'd be more announcements that would make me bounce around with excitement, whether it's brand-new stuff or adaptions of books or even movies that make go "Oh, I'd really love to see this, this could be great!" As for Greatest Showman, I think many got swept up in the hype back then and have since calmed down (as is so often the case with hypes). I enjoyed it and some songs made it onto my playlists, but never really got the hype. Done right, this could be a great stage show and unlike so many current popular musicals, at least it has some truly good songs, though I hope they'll rearrange them. Paul/Pasek have a gift for melodies, but then ruin them by drowning them in obnoxious loud beats. Despite the popularity and feel-goof of a show such as Mamma Mia! both here, on Broadway and other countries in the world Sondheim once said something akin to 'the dumbing down of musicals leads to the dumbing down of peoples expectations and prevents them from learning'. |
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Post by Jon on Aug 19, 2022 10:56:29 GMT
Despite the popularity and feel-goof of a show such as Mamma Mia! both here, on Broadway and other countries in the world Sondheim once said something akin to 'the dumbing down of musicals leads to the dumbing down of peoples expectations and prevents them from learning'. I do respect Sondheim but that quote made him sound like a snob. |
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Post by theatreian on Aug 19, 2022 10:58:12 GMT
It was such a big film with a huge cast, it would be interesting to see how they translated it to the stage. I loved the soundtrack and I am sure it would be a huge hit if done well.The soundtrack alone has sold 2.4 million just in the UK. Sometimers we forget the money involved in putting shows on and the risk involved. It is a business designed to make profits so maybe some of the more obscure shows won't get much of a showing in these uncertain times .
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 19, 2022 12:06:55 GMT
Despite the popularity and feel-goof of a show such as Mamma Mia! both here, on Broadway and other countries in the world Sondheim once said something akin to 'the dumbing down of musicals leads to the dumbing down of peoples expectations and prevents them from learning'. I do respect Sondheim but that quote made him sound like a snob. I’m not sure he’s wrong though.. |
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Post by viserys on Aug 19, 2022 12:33:29 GMT
Despite the popularity and feel-goof of a show such as Mamma Mia! both here, on Broadway and other countries in the world Sondheim once said something akin to 'the dumbing down of musicals leads to the dumbing down of peoples expectations and prevents them from learning'. I resent the "prevents them from learning" bit of that quote. Most people lead demanding exhausting lives with a full time job, caring for children or elders and a bunch of other stress factors. Theatre CAN be educative and challenging, but I'm sure that many people are just looking for a good evening out to de-stress and enjoy. When I've had an annoying stressful work day, I know I'd rather laugh about the antics in Mamma mia and (inwardly!) sing along to cheerful tunes than to sit through Sweeney Todd. There should be room for both - and the person who has a good night out with friends at Mamma mia one day, may still be quietly and deeply moved by a solo trip to see Sunday in the Park with George a week later. If I had had a hundred thousand to spare a few years or decades ago with the opportunity of investing it in a musical based on Only Fools & Horses or Pretty Woman or The Four Seasons I would have gone for it. Dear Evan Hansen, Spring Awakening or Alanis Morissette probably not. But is it always? Popular movies like Tootsie and Mrs Doubtfire recently became massive flops as stage adaptations (and there were other train wrecks along the line) - GOOD inspired brand-new work like Hamilton and to a lesser extent Hadestown have recouped, because the audiences appreciated their freshness and unusual music styles (rap and hiphop here, folk and jazz there). They are also, may I dare to say, both shows that address people of all ages, whereas those three you mention above are very much aimed at teenagers with little money and short attention spans. |
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 19, 2022 12:41:43 GMT
It may not have been prevents them from learning'- the exact words (I was trying to find the exact quote) but couldn't.
As I said, it was something along those lines.
But I know that 'the dumbing down of musicals leads to the dumbing down' was definitely correct
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Post by Jon on Aug 19, 2022 12:47:51 GMT
It's horses for courses. I enjoyed plays like Angels in America and The Normal Heart but I equally enjoy shows like La Cage Aux Folles and Kinky Boots.
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Post by anthony40 on Aug 19, 2022 12:54:18 GMT
Found the exact quote-
'The dumbing down of the country reflects itself on Broadway. The shows get dumber, and the public gets used to them'
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Post by viserys on Aug 19, 2022 13:37:15 GMT
Found the exact quote- 'The dumbing down of the country reflects itself on Broadway. The shows get dumber, and the public gets used to them' Okay, that sounds a lot better (and less snobby) - still I'll echo Jon and say, horses for courses - I can enjoy something smart and challenging, but equally I sometimes just want to sit back and enjoy and give my brain a break. There's room for both. And as I said before, when smart shows are done well, like Hamilton, they can still become mega hits. |
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Post by Figaro on Apr 26, 2023 7:21:00 GMT
Guessing nothing came of this?
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Post by MusicalTalk on Apr 26, 2023 9:45:51 GMT
Thankfully!
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 26, 2023 10:57:26 GMT
Just do Barnum with a star
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Apr 26, 2023 14:29:52 GMT
Guessing nothing came of this? given how long development cycles take, i doubt it's dead |
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Post by viserys on Apr 26, 2023 15:22:23 GMT
I can't believe this is dead, given how successful the movie was. But how many years did it take for Moulin Rouge to finally have a stage version?
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Post by danb on Apr 26, 2023 15:56:15 GMT
I think this could be the show to give the Dominion a long runner. Plenty of space, room to extend the stage out if need be and large enough to turn a profit quickly. It can price despicably high for the front 2/3rds of the stalls but still have a good spread of cheap seats. It isn’t too flashy or tech heavy (apart from the trapeze element) and could have the animals on video screens.
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Post by viserys on Apr 26, 2023 17:13:57 GMT
could have the animals on video screens. They can do them as holograms, like a German circus has done recently: |
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Post by Mark on Feb 1, 2024 11:01:24 GMT
I’ve been at WDW this past 2 weeks and been very lucky to catch 4 of the Broadway concert series at Epcot (some great performers including Caissie Levy, Gavin Lee, Heidi Blickenstaff) . Some really great selections from the Disney Broadway catalogue including Aida, Hunchback, Freaky Friday, Tarzan, Newsies along with the more obvious Lion King, Frozen etc.
What did stand out is three of the duos also did a song from The Greatest Showman. We got A Million Dreams, Come Alive and The Greatest Show. It probably doesn’t mean much but at a guess I think we may very well see some progress on this in the not so distant future.
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Post by sisterfan on Feb 8, 2024 7:19:55 GMT
Hey here is a idea after seeing him do the song at the big night of musicals and that is Jason Manford as lead?
He sang the Greatest showman very well but doubt he would want to do a long term run with all his other work.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 8, 2024 7:56:34 GMT
Hey here is a idea after seeing him do the song at the big night of musicals and that is Jason Manford as lead? He sang the Greatest showman very well but doubt he would want to do a long term run with all his other work. It’s a bit early for April Fools! How about Les Dennis? |
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Post by danb on Feb 8, 2024 7:57:22 GMT
I think, with respect, they’ll be aiming slightly higher initially. Sure he can take over in year 3, but the amount of developmental cash that has been sunk into this needs them to make coin, and quick.
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Post by viserys on Feb 8, 2024 8:03:03 GMT
So... Hugh Jackman himself with regular tickets around the £250 mark, premiums £500 and the last corner in the upper circle £100?
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Post by theatrefan62 on Feb 8, 2024 8:04:33 GMT
I'd imagine they might go for a theatre name and let the show be the star at the start.
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Post by danb on Feb 8, 2024 8:38:50 GMT
I'd imagine they might go for a theatre name and let the show be the star at the start. I think they’ll do both. The show is the star, but folk’ll want a star too at first. |
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