Different shows with similar plots Aug 19
2019, 09:36:42 AM
All Shook Up seems like it tried to mirror the plot of Hairspray. Originally Wicked was going to be like Aida in terms of the love triangle and the contrasting female characters. You can still see a bit of that influence if you look hard. Interestingly, my mom compared Rigoletto to Little Shop of Horrors, namely the idea that seeking revenge causes you to lose what you love (Audrey 1 vs Rigoletto’s Daughter, Gilda).
I'll be there, was just wondering who else would be.
Broadway Coffee Table Books Jul 31
2019, 08:43:32 AM
The Great Comet and Tommy books are great! There’s a wonderful book if you like poster art called A Must See that talks all about theater posters and includes some interesting flop ones that didn’t even open like Colette and Alice starring Debbie Allen. I would love a coffee table book about Carrie (from the RSC version to the version that played at the Lortel) and one about Little Shop of Horrors. There is “The Little Shop of Horrors Book” but it could have used a lot more pics and some color,
Saddest musical? Jul 29
2019, 09:22:00 AM
Bat Boy has one of the bleakest endings I can think of.
Urinetown’s ending is very bleak. If the show is performed in the right way it can be very hard-hitting.
FAYE FIRED Jul 26
2019, 09:16:09 AM
Agree with Joe. If you want more on how Faye really doesn’t play well with others, read Rutanya Alda’s book on the making of Mommie Dearest. Even Irene Sharaff couldn’t stand her.
Again, remember this is all perception and not gospel, but it seems like many people do find Faye difficult to work with, and not just in recent years. Personally I want to hear more about her in Sunset.
Favorite Short Lived Musicals? Jul 23
2019, 02:29:22 PM
1. Side Show, original and revival (I like the score in the revival better) 2. Great Comet 3. Carrie (the good, the bad, I love it all!)
GavestonPS said: All that being said, I admit that despite being a dyed-in-the-wool Bette Midler fan, I found the film mostly tedious when she wasn't singing. And to me, "The Wind Beneath My Wings" has always sounded condescending, if not an actual song about farting.
Farting...(snickers) this is a side of you we don’t often get to see, Gaveston. I like it! Yes, it’s a condescending song
Denise Nickerson Has Died Jul 11
2019, 02:51:02 PM
Wow, Ethel, I did not know that. That is indeed a tragic situation but I thank you for telling me and everyone else here. It is always difficult when an older family member needs full time care, I know that from personal experience. I’m going to make my donation now.
Violet of Willy Wonka fame has passed after a seizure at age 62. Im the weirdo who loves the score to Lolita my Love so here comes my tribute. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2w53HG7K3gA
I wonder what it was like for her to play this very difficult role at such a young age. Sometimes the recording is hard to listen to because she sounds so young, and we associate her with the very childish character of Violet. I always wanted to ask her about her role here but I guess that
Least Favorite Characters Jul 1
2019, 04:21:26 PM
Gussie and Curley definitely earned a spot here. Poor Jud is Dead makes Curley sound like a total sociopath. Nice observations on Morticia and Grandmama, especially when you consider how people love earlier versions of the characters. I remember sitting there wondering why Grandma was suddenly a drug-dealing hippie. Lucas and Mal also earn a spot here for being bland and adding nothing to the story. Alice ALMOST has a personality and something resembling an arc (telling everyone your creepy feti
Catholic High School Musical Choices Jun 24
2019, 07:46:27 PM
I like Superman’s score. I was a Catholic school kid and I know this can be a tough nut to crack; for example we were banned from doing “Lucky Stiff” because my friend and I would have had to do a scene in bed together.
My personal disappointments were the Addams Family (as many have said, it is big regionally and it made money, but what a dull book and score) and good lord, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. When you ADD body horror and murder to something by Roald Dahl, and STILL aim it at children, maybe it’s time to rethink things.
re: Book, Music, and Lyrics by One Person? Jun 18
2019, 08:50:20 AM
What’s this about It Happened In Key West? Could you elaborate on this controversy and her hand wave of it? This sounds like a whole ‘nother story...pm me if you don’t want to derail the thread.
Hey, Dramamama, thank you for clarifying! It’s all good. Yeah I didn’t mean like meeting people on an elevator, I did mean professionally. but if people want to talk about that, they’re welcome to do so. I hope Michael leaves the bathroom and gives someone else a chance! Other people are waiting!
Thanks JBroadway...
BWAY actors in unexpected places Jun 14
2019, 11:49:22 AM
Dramamama, i’m not looking down on people (maybe i’m a little skeptical about using English music hall to sell computers) for taking a job when work is hard to come by. They need to earn a living. I’m not criticizing anyone. It’s just stuff that is surprising or unusual, often in hindsight. If it seemed like I was looking down on anyone then I apologize, that was not my intention.
BWAY actors in unexpected places Jun 14
2019, 08:17:31 AM
Whats your favorite instance of an actor known mainly for broadway showing up in something totally off the wall? My uh,favorite (its not great but it sure is unforgettable) is a mostly lost Disney attraction from the opening days of Epcot, The Astuter Computer Revue. This behind the scenes look at the parks computer system was quickly replaced because it got outdated, but the approach was even more dated- an English music hall/vaudeville ditty about computers by the Sherman brothers and per
2019 Tony Snubs Jun 10
2019, 01:00:26 PM
BOM if you really hated being “that guy” you wouldn’t say anything like that. Based on your responses to other people, you’re just trying to stir the pot.
Jokes In Musicals That...Just Don't Work? May 22
2019, 08:44:39 AM
Nothing is a more low-hanging fruit line than “She’ll be THURSDAY before ya know it” from The Addams Famiy. Also the whole “squid” thing was clearly intended to be somewhat funny, but...yeah, there’s a reason it’s not around anymore. Also, every political joke in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Finally, I was in a production of Follies recently and Phyllis’s line “we even have a chauffeur who’s articulate” is rather jarring, despite the play being set in 1971 and written in said yea
Adaptations You Would Like To See? May 21
2019, 08:36:45 AM
Count me in for Return to Oz and Eyes of the Dragon. Too bad Jan Maxwell is no longer with us, she’d be an amazing Nurse Wilson/Mombi for Return to Oz. (Probably won’t ever be a musical at all, but I can dream!) speaking of the Lost Disney Movies Time Forgot, someone did a regional “Something Wicked This Way Comes” musical a few years back. I wish that would come to NY.
