Maybe they could do the new version of Cinderella, or ragtime.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
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Why doesn't abc get in the action and just all their musicals.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Last time I checked they were going to do "The Music Man" this year but then they acquired the rights to "The Wiz" as well and decided to do that instead. So I wouldn't be surprised if it was "The Music Man" in 2016.
If The Wiz turns out to be as lackluster as The Sound of Music or as painfully awkward as Peter Pan then this should be the end of these live TV musicals.
In the event that this isn't an embarrassing travesty, then The Music Man will likely be the next choice since they already optioned the title.
I do hope that The Wiz turns out to be good, but if not, it is time to let this new tradition die.
Please keep in mind that it has to be something a little more family-oriented. I could see them doing The Music Man next year (maybe with Neil Patrick Harris?).
Other possibilities I could see are:
The Addams Family Bye Bye Birdie Hello, Dolly! Mame Once Upon a Mattress Seussical
Aaron Sorkin said in an interview that NBC has approached him about doing a play, namely a live version of A Few Good Men. This would be in addition to the Christmas musical, not instead of it though. Just throwing it out here.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, "A Christmas Story: The Musical". Right for the season. Built in fan base. Family friendly. HUGE name recognition.
If this tradition continues, despite as bad as theater fans my want it, NBC isn't going to run out and stage a show that the general public has zero or very little familiarity with. If they want people to tune it, it has to be a name that's recognizable or very closely tied to something people are familiar with. So, that means no live performances of Ragtime, Once Upon a Mattress, or Little Me, despite how good/bad/groundbreaking they could be.
Mamma Mia and Rock of Ages are recent movies. ROA wasn't wildly successful, but for the purposes of the NBC live performance, it's a no brainer--someone else did recently with a bigger budget, bigger names, and better then they could for TV.
oncemorewithfeeling2 said: "If this tradition continues, despite as bad as theater fans my want it, NBC isn't going to run out and stage a show that the general public has zero or very little familiarity with. If they want people to tune it, it has to be a name that's recognizable or very closely tied to something people are familiar with. So, that means no live performances of Ragtime, Once Upon a Mattress, or Little Me, despite how good/bad/groundbreaking they could be.
Mamma Mia and Rock of Ages are recent movies. ROA wasn't wildly successful, but for the purposes of the NBC live performance, it's a no brainer--someone else did recently with a bigger budget, bigger names, and better then they could for TV.
"
I'm a little surprised you put Once Upon a Mattress on your list of musicals that they wouldn't do. It has been filmed three times for television in the past. The last time being a full decade ago. Peter Pan was filmed last year and that was the fifth time that has been filmed for TV. The history of Once Upon a Mattress is incredibly comparable to Styne and Charlap's Peter Pan. So, why is it that you think that NBC would never choose to film this? The precedent seems as if it is already set.
jimmycurry01 said: "If The Wiz turns out to be as lackluster as The Sound of Music or as painfully awkward as Peter Pan then this should be the end of these live TV musicals."
You are confused. TV content doesn't end if the quality is low. TV content ends when the ratings are low. And I believe these have all done well, so far.
They should break away from children bedtime stories. Something that has reference to the festive seasons like A Christmas Story, White Christmas, A Christmas Carol would do well at this time of the year. The Sound of Music is a beloved classic, and well known around the globe, which really paid off since 44 million saw the show. 1.5 million even tuned in again last year to watch the re broadcast.
Both The Music Man and The Wiz are bad selections to be broadcast at this time of the year. Maybe around spring break or summer time would have made more sense.
Conclusion, if they want a good number of viewers to tune in, they should go a for a good title that is beloved and get high profiles as the leads. Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and some of the titles which mentioned above could be winners if the done with the right cast.
You are confused. TV content doesn't end if the quality is low. TV content ends when the ratings are low. And I believe these have all done well, so far.
"
No, I'm not confused. You are just putting the wrong emphasis on my writing. Not your fault, you couldn't hear me say it. Obviously ratings speak louder than art. I am speaking from an artistic standpoint, in saying they should let the tradition die. It was not meant to be taken literally.
mikey2573 said: "I've said it before and I'll say it again, "A Christmas Story: The Musical". Right for the season. Built in fan base. Family friendly. HUGE name recognition.
It's a no-brainer! "
Agreed. It's such a fun show, and people would tune in with the name recognition. Bye Bye Birdie with a pop star as Birdie would be a second choice.