Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
TimeToDither
Swing Joined: 4/21/24
#1Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 8:28pm
Are there many shows that were considerably re-written (mostly really speaking of the material itself rather than any fiascos like the recent Shrek tour) after their Broadway run? The Addams Family comes to my mind.
I'm asking because I think if the authors of Lempicka rewrote some scenes and lowered some of that insane belting, they could have a nice show that'd get performed at drama schools or ambitious regional theatres. Not sure if it'd get licensed a lot outside of these?
Or are most shows that don't work just abandoned to find more money elsewhere?
pmensky
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/11
#2Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 8:43pm
Chess, The Little Mermaid, and Ring of Fire immediately jump to mind.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#3Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 8:58pm
Merrily (to name an obvious one)
Almost Famous did a post-Broadway workshop at the O'Neill but I don't know how substantial the rewrite was.
Jagged Little Pill had some, right? (some of which were done during the Broadway run)
Voter
Leading Actor Joined: 5/19/20
#4Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 9:02pm
Tarzan and Aida
MrsSallyAdams
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/13
#5Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 9:06pm
Seussical was scaled down.
Bat Boy and Heathers swapped out new songs for their London productions.
threepanelmusicals.blogspot.com
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#6Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 9:31pm
CABARET has changed quite a bit since the original 1966 Broadway production. The 1998 Broadway revival incorporated songs from the 1972 film adaptation and cut several songs from the original score.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#7Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 9:40pm
The Scarlet Pimpernel and its 897 versions.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#8Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 10:29pm
Starlight Express
#9Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 10:35pm
Grease
Chess
Rocky Horror ( has now just descended into over the top camp )
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
chrishuyen
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/12/14
#10Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/21/24 at 10:38pm
Frozen swapped out a song and (at least for tour and West End) redid some of their scenic design.
#11Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/22/24 at 3:21am
Follies has been tinkered with quite a bit since its original Broadway incarnation. Most notably its original West End production saw several songs replaced and some pretty significant book changes
#12Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/22/24 at 6:37am
The Addams Family was reworked between Broadway the first national tour launch.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Broadwaydah
Swing Joined: 3/10/17
#13Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:39am
The shrinking of Les Miz. Lion King dropped some stuff in the last decade I think.
#14Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:49am
Smile was completely retooled from the campy Broadway version into a darker and more introspective piece prior to licensing.
#15Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/22/24 at 8:46am
Chess was changed FOR Broadway, not after it... right? It just reverted back to the original West End version after that, or is it now a blend of the two? It
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
Rentaholic2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/14/04
#16Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/22/24 at 9:22am
Amelie was significantly reworked for its UK premiere, and I believe that is the version of the show that is now licensed. The score was modified quite significantly and largely re-orchestrated, and I think it's just wonderful. I haven't seen the show, but just by comparing the cast albums, it seems they really cracked the code on it in London. It would be great if the show one day got another chance in New York with the revised version.
hearthemsing22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
#17Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:02am
When Mean Girls was about to bring in their next cast in 2020 after the OG leads left, they did rework a lot of the show. Moments when Cady addressed the audience (like the voiceovers in the movie) were removed. Certain lines were changed. I have a feeling that will carry over to the West End production.
Tenor8674
Chorus Member Joined: 12/13/22
#18Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:16am
FLORA THE RED MENACE was rewritten in the 80s and it's now licensed as such. For those interested in seeing it, Forager Theater in Long Island City, Queens, NY, is doing the show the first weekend in May.
Updated On: 4/23/24 at 11:16 AM
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#19Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:33am
Rentaholic2 said: "Amelie was significantly reworked for its UK premiere, and I believe that is the version of the show that is now licensed. The score was modified quite significantly and largely re-orchestrated, and I think it's just wonderful. I haven't seen the show, but just by comparing thecast albums, it seems they really cracked the code on it in London. It would be great if the show one day got another chance in New York with the revised version."
The licensed version uses the rewrites from the UK production, but retains the Broadway orchestration.
I agree, the UK production is like a whole new show, it's gorgeous.
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#20Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run
Posted: 4/23/24 at 12:00pm
As someone in the minority who loved Finding Neverland, the first half-hour or so never worked. I saw three different versions, the one in Cambridge, in NYC and the subsequent National Tour. Sizable changes were made in each iteration, but they never solved it. Kept on trying, though.
