Blood Brothers Revival?

[RW3]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 8:41pm

Will there ever be one? I've always enjoyed the music especially the song "Tell Me It's Not True". I think Roundabout could potentially mount this show.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 9:03pm

As you approach infinity, the odds of any random event occurring essentially reach 1/1. So yes, there will be one. Eventually.

[smallworld]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 9:10pm

There's no need for it. That show was one of the worst things I've ever sat through.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 9:16pm

I say wait about ten years and do it with Meagan Hilty as the mother.

[someone.else's.story2]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 12:32pm

I happened to love Blood Brothers and would welcome a revival. It just closed last year in the West End, so although I know some people hated it, it was at least really popular and successful in the UK. I hope they do bring it back.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 2:37pm

I think it did so well in the UK because the theme of the musical involves the class system, which in the US wasn't so much of a problem until Obama took office.

[someone.else's.story2]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 4:36pm

Yes, certainly American audiences had a hard time with the class aspect of the story (though that never bothered me at all). I happen to love the music and that the show has some very funny parts yet is overall a moving and thought provoking piece. I honest,y never understood the hate some people have for it-but to each his own.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 4:52pm

Saw it in London and on Broadway and would gladly welcome a revival.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 4:52pm

I like the show. I do think that Russell got a bit lazy with the Marilyn Monroe comparison. When the mother compared her drug addicted jailbird son to MM, that was one too many times.

[Tink2]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 8:47pm

I saw this in London with Stephanie Lawrence and absolutely loved it. Sobbed like a baby. Actually, everyone there was sobbing like a baby. I didn't see the Broadway production with the Cassidy brothers. I'd love to see it on Broadway again.

[david_fick]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 7:13am

It may be interesting for BLOOD BROTHERS fans to know that there is a production of the show in South Africa at the moment, which has been adapted by David Kramer (KAT AND THE KINGS) into a local setting, with many altered song lyrics. This is the first time Willy Russell allowed BLOOD BROTHERS to be adapted in this way. Maybe that's an indication that the piece might be reworked for other productions of the show outside the UK as a response to any difficulties like those mentioned above where the themes aren't as accessible to a particular audience. I think it's a tough job to subtitute one set of socio-political specifics for another and to then to integrate that context seamlessly with the narrative. And - although people might not agree with me - I think this approach also borders on dumbing down material for audiences who aren't willing to make the effort to think about what they're seeing and find the paralells between the show and their own situations for themselves. (There is of course the question of how well the show stands on its own two feet and how well its written, but that's a different issue even if it does have some bearing on this one.)


BWW CD Reviews: South African BLOOD BROTHERS a Fascinating Listening Experience for Musical Theatre Fans

[WickedGinger]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 8:03am

This is one of my favourite musicals... I saw it in the West End and I have seen the UK tour 3 times (once in Edinburgh and twice in Glasgow). Although it is a very british story. Alot of the big cities in the UK went through a simialr redevelop with people being moved out of the cities into developments outside of town. Although the economic downturn rings volumes after the events of the credit crunch in 2008.

Over the years Mrs Johnstone have been played by younger and younger actresses. I think as long as the actress as the emotional range and diversy to progress her character as the play develops then any age can play her within reason, i.e. 25-50.

[lotiloti]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 8:56am

You mentioned, the late, great, Stephanie Lawrence, Tink 2. A tragedy that someone so talented, should take her own life. Fabulous actress & singer.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 9:33am

Awful night of theatre, hopefully it will never see the light of day again. One of the worst shows I have ever seen .

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 10:46am

It did run for two years here on Broadway, so clearly it was connecting with some audiences here.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 10:53am

"It did run for two years here on Broadway, so clearly it was connecting with some audiences here."

It was always (and I do mean always) on TKTS. When shows are on TKTS, you can't always make the assumption that a show is connecting with the audience. Harve and Myrtle from Minnesota just want to see a Broadway show at reduced prices and so take what's available on TKTS. I can't tell you the number of times that I was on the TKTS line and someone asked what they should see.

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 11:00am

I love the score of Blood Brothers tremendously and would love to see it (I was too young to have seen it previously). I think it could do well here-there is more to it than the class system (which exists here whether we like it or not). I really would love to see it. As much as I've listened to it, I don't know the breakdown of the characters age wise or anything so I can't begin to imagine who would be good.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 11:31am

"As much as I've listened to it, I don't know the breakdown of the characters age wise or anything so I can't begin to imagine who would be good."

It needs a strong belter in the main role of the mother. Megan Hilty would be good in the role.

The one problem with the musical is that the characters age about 30 years during the musical. So you have 30 year old actors playing children for the entire first act. One of the drawbacks of the show is when the actors can't pull off Act 1.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 12:12pm

The original Broadway cast was wonderful, led by the spectacular Stephanie Lawrence. Con O'Neill was a terrific Mickey, with a perfect transition from boy to man. I also remember how wonderful Jan Graveson was.

The score has great moments, but so much repetition!

The book is the biggest problem, and not because of the politics. It's the idiotic premise, and the obvious ending.

Still, it was pretty spectacular to hear Ms. Lawrence sing the final number and very difficult not to have a tear in your eye.

Posted: 4/7/14 at 12:26pm

I saw the amazing Stephanie Lawrence three times… she slayed me. Sadly, the staging with the cheesy sets and 80's lighting didn't do the show any favors. I think if it could be restaged, it could work again. that finale packed a wallop for sure. Stephanie, you are missed

[SweetLips]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 5:19pm

This is one show that you really do have to be cast perfect.
I didn't have a clue who was in it when I first saw it in London and was totally carried along with the story and was a blubbering mess at the end.
Saw it again years later with some TV soap 'star' and nothing seemed to connect-time/situation/age-who knows?
It is a show I would see again depending how I felt about the cast.

PS-Recommend reading The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell

Updated On: 4/7/14 at 05:19 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 5:22pm

Tell Me It's Not True"

All I remember was the brilliant idea - not - of having the actors play themselves as kids.

[Tink2]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 5:26pm

lotiloti, Stephanie Lawrence was brilliant as Mrs Johnstone. She was the reason I really liked the show. I read that she died of liver disease from alcoholism. So very sad.

[temms]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 6:05pm

One thing I have never
Understood about this show
Is why they're all so damn obsessed
With Marilyn Monroe

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 6:08pm

Better known than Jayne Mansfield