They both can be in terms of writing and directing. With biopic musicals, you really want to stay as true to the story as possible. With jukebox musicals (specifically one in which you are using songs from one artist or group's repertoire), it can be difficult to come up with a decent story that will tie the songs together.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
[EDIT- since you seem sincere in your interest, I'll remove what I said. But in all seriousness, please try to exercise some discernment in what questions you pose!]
Updated On: 8/8/13 at 09:54 PM
^Those other threads were just for fun. This is is actually a serious question. I've always thought about writing my own musical and I'm trying to see whether I should start either write biopic, jukebox, or an original musical.
Start with an idea you're passionate about, not a form of theatre you think'll be easiest.
The easiest one to write will the be the one whose story you need to tell.
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.
At one point, I thought about writing an Elvis musical. Another idea was doing what Rock of Ages did and pull a collection of rock songs from the 80s only in this case would be songs from the 21st century. So, I've had a lot of ideas.
I do not think any is easier to produce. I do not know why you would ask that question. Even though something is easier does not mean the public will like it nor will it be successful. I believe in hard work and passion for the topic you are planning to do and lots of time to re write change and fix your work.
RW3 its all very well thinking on what songs you will use but the heart and soul of a musical is the BOOK its what differs the modern musical to Ziegfeld's Follies.
You do realize you need to obtain the rights to use the music and the stories of the artists behind them? That is a long, arduous and potentially expensive process. You would do well to contact a lawyer to help you if you wish to go that route. It's harder using pre-existing material sometimes because you need to pay the creators for the use of their work.
Rights are a huge issue. Search here for stories about the problems "Applause" had with the rights to the film script for "All About Eve".
As others have said, you need a story that people may relate to for a jukebox musical - why does Mamma Mia succeed where All Shook Up did not? Why does Moving Out succeed where Good Vibrations does not? Rock of Ages or Hot Feet?
Biopics? Not certain what you mean. Are you going to stick to the "truth" or use it as a jumping off point. And here, it's not enough to have a good story or even a good trunkload of songs - it needs to be well crafted - and most likely have something else to say than just "Here was a life" Compare the following hits and misses: Evita, Barnum, Will Rogers Follies, Jersey Boys, Funny Girl and Fiorello! with Lennon, Scandalous, Rothschilds, Mack and Mabel, George M, Chaplin.