Blood Brothers Revival

[WickedGinger]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 8:45am

Will this ever happen?

It constantly tours the UK, with z list celebrities in the principle roles. But I would love someone with a fresh eye to work on the old material and bring a revitalized show Broadway or even the West End. 

There are so many great actresses who could play Mrs Johnstone. Also within reason she can really be any age due to how many years the show spans over. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 8:48am

Tell me it's not true

Sorry, but this is not on the list of shows that are allowed to be revived.

[WickedGinger]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 8:54am

Why not? Its a fantastic show and needs to be brought to the attention of the next generation

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 9:00am

I think that it won't come back to Broadway. Just because it's good, doesn't mean it will be revived. And yes, I do agree that it is a good show and have memorable experiences seeing it in London the couple of times I visited there. However, the British class system is something that doesn't translate well to many Americans who go in having no knowledge of it. That was one of its downfalls when it opened on Broadway originally and likely one reason (along with the fact that it was a financial bomb) it won't be revived. 

Posted: 7/27/15 at 9:46am

It was a very moving show with Stephanie Lawrence as the lead.  Con O'Neil also reprised his role as Mickey and Warwick Evans as the narrator.  The material was moving but it was staged poorly... cheap looking sets and laser/pin lights... 

The class system didn't translate well to the US mounting.

 

I saw it several times as I fell in love with the story and Ms. Lawrence's haunting portrayal of Mrs. Johnstone.   Her "Tell Me Its Not True" was devastating.  Broke my heart.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 9:47am

To Wicked 

Just because a show may be good does not mean it will be revived. Only shows like Gypsy etc are revived ad nauseam while others will never see the light of day. That is the brutal truth .

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 10:30am

I love the show and saw both the London and Broadway productions.  But it simply didn't have the staying power in the US that it has in the UK.  I do notice that it has some popularity among regional and amateur theatres, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a commercial Broadway revival.  It would need some massive reinvention (and re-orchestration) as well as a bankable star if it wanted even a slim chance for success.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 11:38am

I'm one of those who enjoys Blood Brothers, despite its flaws (comparing your jailed son to Marilyn Monroe?  Really???)

I've often wondered if Willy Russell would allow the lyrics to be altered to support a black cast?  I could see Tonya Pinkins playing Mrs. Johnstone.  There are only two or three times where the main character sings "I reminded him of Marilyn Monroe."  So I wonder if the word "reminded" could be replaced with a different word.  Carole King did the show on Broadway and bears no resemblance in any way to Marilyn, so why not change it up a bit?

Of course, I hope that Megan Hilty can one day play Mrs. Johnstone.  

 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 11:45am

To Wicked

Add Fiddler to the list of constantly revived musicals which, coincidentally, is being done again this season.

In no way am I comparing Gypsy & Fiddler to Blood but give some of these constantly revived musicals a rest for awhile & do something else.

Updated On: 7/27/15 at 11:45 AM

[Jonwo]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 12:04pm

The original production wasn't that successful, the production that ran in London for a long time was a revival had toured extensively and Bill Kenwright asked Willy Russell whether he could bring it to London and he refused so they kept touring it until Willy finally said yes. 

[hork]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 12:21pm

I doubt it will happen on Broadway any time soon, if ever. It's just not a show that connects with American audiences. They couldn't even get the movie made, despite Alan Parker being attached to it.

I wouldn't mind seeing it happen, though. I think it's a flawed show, and a little pretentious, but it's got some good material. "Take a Letter, Miss Jones" is one of my all-time favorite songs from a musical (I even named my cat Miss Jones because of it).

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 12:33pm

I remember that it flopped in the small Music Box theater. I doubt it is viable. Still have the cast album

[JRybka]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 12:41pm

Do they consider it a flop per say.... It played for 840 performances. And if you could get people in the seats, they really enjoyed it. I remember seeing it also on tour with Petula Clark and it was mobbed. 

I also remember that Stephanie Lawrence in NYC and how she passed on a few years later and really feeling sad about it. 

I actually think that with the way the government is today and how much class warfare there is-- it would be very important for today's audiences. 

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 12:51pm

"Do they consider it a flop per say.... It played for 840 performances."

I think it was a financial flop.  It was on TKTS all the time.  Even after the original cast left and they started stunt casting it with Petula Clarke, the Cassidy Brothers, Carole King and Helen Reddy, it still never sold out.  And you could almost always get orchestra seats on TKTS.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 4:05pm

Great idea Gothampc--what if mixed blood twins were considered. Was a weeping mess at the end-heartbreaking.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 6:01pm

One of the worst shows ever, hated every thing about it 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 6:03pm

Tell me it's not true.

[ILuv2shop531]

Posted: 7/27/15 at 6:27pm

I saw Blood Brothers while it was on tour in the UK and was very taken with it. 

If it doesn't get revived on Broadway anytime soon at the least I would love to see Encores produce it. Rachel Tucker would be a lovely Mrs. Johnstone