1969: 'Maggie Flynn' and 'The Fig Leaves are Falling'
1969: 'Maggie Flynn' and 'The Fig Leaves are Falling'
#11969: 'Maggie Flynn' and 'The Fig Leaves are Falling'
Posted: 11/25/19 at 9:41pm
I was just reading on line that at one brief moment in time, the first week of January 1969 to be exact, Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy were starring in the Broadway musical 'Maggie Flynn', while Jack Cassidy's son David Cassidy, 18, made his Broadway debut in 'The Fig Leaves Are Falling' at the same time (pre-"Partridge Family" fame).
'Maggie Flynn' had opened on October 23, 1968 and quickly became a box office flop - closing on January 5, 1969.
'Fig Leaves...' was an even bigger flop - opening January 2, 1969 and closing on January 6, 1969.
I'm curious if anyone here had seen either of these two plays, and what do you remember about them (or wish you could forget) ? I'm curious as to why neither was ever revived - were the books really that bad, or was it something else?
#21969: "Maggie Flynn" and "The Fig Leafs Are Falling"
Posted: 11/25/19 at 9:47pm
Maybe "Fig Leafs" closed so quickly because there's no such word as "Leafs".
#31969: "Maggie Flynn" and "The Fig Leafs Are Falling"
Posted: 11/25/19 at 9:48pm
David10086 said: "I was just reading on line that at one brief moment in time, the first week of January 1969 to be exact,Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy were starring in the Broadway musical 'Maggie Flynn', while Jack Cassidy's son David Cassidy, 18, made his Broadway debut in 'The Fig Leafs Are Falling' at the same time (pre-"Partridge Family" fame).
'Maggie Flynn' had opened on October 23, 1968 and quickly became a box office flop - closing on January 5, 1969.
'Fig Leafs...' was an even bigger flop - opening January 2, 1969 and closing on January 6, 1969.
I'm curious if anyone here had seen either of these two plays, and what do you remember about them (or wish you could forget) ? I'm curious as to why neither was ever revived - were the books really that bad, or was it something else?"
Can you just imagine the conversations while filming the first season of “The Partridge Family” were?
#41969: "Maggie Flynn" and "The Fig Leafs Are Falling"
Posted: 11/25/19 at 9:51pm
Someone in a Tree2 said: "Maybe "Fig Leafs" closed so quickly because there's no such word as "Leafs"."
Whoops! "Leaves" ! Thank you...
#51969: "Maggie Flynn" and "The Fig Leafs Are Falling"
Posted: 11/25/19 at 9:54pm
CarlosAlberto said: "
Can you just imagine the conversations while filming the first season of “The Partridge Family” were?"
Someone had the foresight to say : "Mom and step-son flopped on Broadway, but they'll be a phenomenon on television playing in a successful pop music family!' LOL
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#61969: "Maggie Flynn" and "The Fig Leafs Are Falling"
Posted: 11/25/19 at 10:21pm
Saw both. Figs was a comedy. Maggie a Drama. Maggie had 2 stars .Figs score was fun but forgettable. Maggie 's score better in my opinion Got the demo of Figs. When I sold about 1/2 of my cast albums about a year ago I got rid of it but found it was on YouTube about 6 months ago. Musicals of this type will never happen again . Both are from a bygone era, I enjoyed those more than those of a few years ago ☺☺☺
Poster Emeritus
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#71969: "Maggie Flynn" and "The Fig Leafs Are Falling"
Posted: 11/26/19 at 12:05am
I did not see Fig Leaves, but I did see Maggie Flynn and really enjoyed it. It was as old-fashioned as it could be, trying to be the next Sound of Music, I suspect: Civil war, slavery, an old-fashioned score with melodious songs, the leads dislike each other in the beginning (were they married and separated??) and being in love by the end.
I really enjoyed the cast recording even though I knew even then that it was derivative. As I remember, Jack Cassidy played a cad who was transformed by love by the end of the show. He really was very good, stole the show IMO. He even had a number that stopped the show, Mr. Clown. Shirley Jones had a song — it may have been called The Thank You Song’, which had to have been an attempt to be their My Favorite Things. Again, despite my criticism, I really did enjoy it a lot, and was disappointed that it didn’t run longer.
It actually got more than decent reviews — I remember a 2-page ad in the time with lengthy excerpts from many reviews, but it didn’t catch on...too old-fashioned I guess.
When I was younger, I really did not treat my albums well. At some point, during a move, with tapes taking over, I threw out all my albums. Scratched, a nuisance compared to a tape, etc. I regret that for two reasons: I would have loved to have kept a bunch of the covers for framing and I was never able to get some of those OCRs again. This is an album I regret getting rid of, unlike a good number of others.
#81969: "Maggie Flynn" and "The Fig Leafs Are Falling"
Posted: 11/26/19 at 3:56am
Speaking of old-fashioned, those who believe in paying for their music can buy the OBCR of MAGGIE FLYNN at iTunes.
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#101969:
Posted: 11/26/19 at 11:29pm
It is pretty fascinating to look back at old playbills and see some of the unknowns who were in small roles in earlier shows, who did eventually make it. Over Here, with The Andrews Sisters, had a few.
Interestingly, the two things I remember most vividly from the show were Jack Cassidy's big number, Mr. Clown, and a song that may be titled The Game of War. The last line of the song was 'would you like to play the game of war', sung by a child with the deepest, biggest, most mournful voice you can imagine. I doubt that it was Cara or Mills (it was just deeper than their voices a few years later...must have been Brown. Do you have any idea if she is the Sharon C Brown coming in later this season in Caroline, or Change?
#111969:
Posted: 11/27/19 at 7:57am
Thank You all for posting! These shows sound like they were both rather entertaining (Mr. Roxy was the lucky one to see both!).
I'm curious if either has ever had a revival in the past 50 years, or gone on tour? Have either been popular in local / regional theaters around the country? Have either had success outside the states?
Thanks again, everyone!
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#17Favorite Flops.
Posted: 11/28/19 at 6:33pm
Sorry for the delay. Knocked myself out And had to change password to get back in. In answer to your question Maggie plus tons of cast albums and Videos of shows and clips are on you tube. For example put in search for Maggie Flynn musical .Image of album cover appears and each track is numbered
By the way I sent you a PM suggesting we email each other to discuss old shows. Never heard from you
Poster Emeritus
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#18Favorite Flops.
Posted: 11/28/19 at 10:25pm
Mr Roxy said: "Sorry for the delay. Knocked myself out And had to change password to get back in. In answer to your question Maggie plus tons of cast albums and Videos of shows and clips are on you tube. For example put in search for Maggie Flynn musical .Image of album cover appears and each track is numbered
By the way I sent you a PM suggesting we email each other to discuss old shows. Never heard from you"
Sorry, I don’t know how to PM, so I was did not even k ow to check. Can you tell me how to access it??
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#19Favorite Flops.
Posted: 11/28/19 at 10:56pmRight underneath my name is a red button . Push it and you can send one to.me with your e mail address. I than respond with mine
Poster Emeritus
evic
Broadway Star Joined: 3/5/04
#20Favorite Flops.
Posted: 11/28/19 at 11:17pmMaggie Flynn has some fine tunes and orchestrations and power ballads . Why Can’t t I Walk Away was a very popular audition song for men in the 70s and 80s. It may still be.
#21Favorite Flops.
Posted: 11/30/19 at 11:53am
Wonder why this has never gotten a proper revival, nor has any music from the show found it's way onto 'Broadway albums' by different singers (or did I miss it) ?
