Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
SouthernCakes
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/19
#1Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/27/19 at 3:23pmAccording to a casting notice there is going to be a workshop of the musical in NYC. I would have guessed London before Broadway? But I guess not!
#2Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/27/19 at 3:27pm
Does a workshop indicate a soon-launching commercial outing? Or does the location of the workshop indicate the location of the future engagement? Could just be that a lot of the creative team is in NYC, no?
SouthernCakes
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/19
#3Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/27/19 at 3:48pmCould be sure, but typically speaking the workshop cast is the cast that then leads the show. Again, doesn’t always work that way. But the show started in Australia so I’d guess that’s where most of the team is from unless they’ve redone it.
#4Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/27/19 at 4:25pm
It's going to need one hell of a longworkshop.
The premise is here with such a well loved movie but it was a rollacoaster that wasn't worth the ride.
I felt embarrassed for Abba to be associated with this as the other songs were crap.
Apart from being drop dead handsome, the gay Russian swimmer was the only performer who held his character together[in speedos, even for his bows] and received Genuine cheers and not, as you would expect, 'wolf-whistles' whenever he appeared--he was that good. I actually typed 'God'.
It has amazing potential--doesn't every idea?--but needs the usual spot-on cast, brilliant director AND stunning new music. ABBA is quite rightly there as 'Muriel's Music' to help her get through her dreary/ordinary life but the surrounding music needs a more melodic purpose for being there and not just, let's put in a song here.
There is NO NEED for an ABBA sing-a-long at the end !!!!
Muriel has a heart, a story---from sad, suicide, cancer, bullying, flings, disrespect but surrounding all that is pure innocence, hope, daydreams and daydreams shattered but throughout it all, all you want to do is root for Muriel and share her simple desire, to get married[as if that will fix everything].
Toni Collette was perfection--prepared to be both ugly and beautiful and simplistic. Sorry to all but this should be a Very White Cast. The catty 'friend' is perfect for a black performer, but not in Porpoise Spit.
There is a Muriel in just so many people, and not just female. The ugly duckling just wanting to belong and loved.
#5Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/28/19 at 5:50pm
I loved this musical so much. I saw it 7 times and still wanted to see it again.
Unfortunately though I just can’t see it working on Broadway. I think much of it would get lost in translation.
It could potentially work in the West End but even that’s not a given.
'Downtown Elaiggghhhy?'
#6Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/28/19 at 6:04pm
The score is amazing, one of the best new scores of recent years. I've seen the show twice in Sydney and its so much fun. Hoping it has a future life.
#7Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/28/19 at 6:37pmI like the show too. I think it could have a nice little run in the West End but I don’t know if it’s good enough and has the market for Broadway.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#8Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/28/19 at 7:16pm
qolbinau said: "I like the show too. I think it could have a nice little run in the West End but I don’t know if it’s good enough and has the market for Broadway."
Indeed, it's perfect for the West End, but theatre availability will be the problem there.
MinneapolisMichael
Swing Joined: 10/5/17
#9Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 12/31/19 at 11:20am
I saw this in Sydney this past September, It was originally scheduled for a 4 week run but kept getting extended.
I think it ended up running for 12 weeks.
It was ok. Hopefully with some broadway stars and better sets it will be even better.
#10Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 1/1/20 at 1:45am
SweetLips22 said: "Apart from being drop dead handsome, the gay Russian swimmer was the only performer who held his character together[in speedos, even for his bows] and received Genuine cheers and not, as you would expect, 'wolf-whistles' whenever he appeared--he was that good. I actually typed 'God'.”
wasn’t he from South Africa in the movie? Just curious why they changed him to be Russian?
#11Muriel’s Wedding coming to Broadway?
Posted: 1/1/20 at 5:20am
Wick3 said: "SweetLips22 said: "Apart from being drop dead handsome, the gay Russian swimmer was the only performer who held his character together[in speedos, even for his bows] and received Genuine cheers and not, as you would expect, 'wolf-whistles' whenever he appeared--he was that good. I actually typed 'God'.”
wasn’t he from South Africa in the movie? Just curious why they changed him to be Russian?
"
Please someone correct me if I’m wrong but with the piece now being set in the present day it made sense to change this. South Africa had controversy in the time the movie was set due to apartheid and this was why the guy needed to marry Muriel to be able to compete. In the updated version, Russia is the “controversial” country and have been banned to to stance on LGBT rights.
