The MILLIE Effect

[WigWerk]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 1:14am

Hey friends. So I've been thinking a lot about what Broadway might be like after COVID-19 has subsided enough to allow for live performance and in-person viewing again. After the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 left a uncertain future for the longevity of tourism in NYC, especially Broadway, it has been written about throughout the years that one of the shows that "saved" Broadway was THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. Obviously, MILLIE went on to win the Tony for Best Musical and has reach a level of notoriety throughout the musical theatre world, but it has gotten me wondering about what will be the MILLIE of post-COVID Broadway? In my opinion, I think the revival of MUSIC MAN will fill that hole. When you think about it, the average theatre goers are going to want familiarity and joy when they come back to the theatre. There were so many shows that were set to open before the pandemic hit that I think will help bring back Broadway, but I have this gut feeling that MUSIC MAN is going to dominate. Funny enough, both MILLIE and MUSIC MAN have one common denominator....Sutton Foster. I am so ready to see COMPANY, and CAROLINE..., and FLYING OVER SUNSET, and DOUBTFIRE, and SING STREET, and SIX come back, but I have a feeling we are going to be ushering in a new wave of "joyful" Broadway musicals these next few years. And think about all the amazingness we got post 9/11. HAIRSPRAY, WICKED, AVENUE Q, SPAMALOT, DROWSY, JERSEY BOYS, and so many more amazing productions that live in the "feel good" category. What do you all think?

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 9:31am

I think Mamma Mia is the more worthy winner of that title—that was the smash of that season and became a Broadway mainstay. Was sold on how joyful and fun it was (you can say a lot about the show but I don’t think anybody can argue that it isn’t a fun night out). Millie premiered later that season in the Spring so things had stabilized a bit by then.

[Tag]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 9:55am

You're Mandela effecting a Millie effect.  The shows that did what you are claiming are indeed Mamma Mia, and also The Producers.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 10:59am

Yeah, I definitely think Mamma Mia! had more of an effect on helping Broadway bounce back than Millie.

[greensgreens]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 11:05am

Not that any one show was on its' own, but I think The Producers is what will be associated most with 9/11. It opened shortly after the attacks and was Broadway's way of saying, "we're open for business and we're not going anywhere!" And it was a straight-up old-fashioned big Broadway musical with massive stars (Millie was a classic, but it didn't really have any stars or the level of hype) and rave reviews. I also believe 9/11 depression helped it catapult even beyond its' actual achievements, although I adored the show.

It made the 9/11 connection even stronger when Rudy Giuliani said "New York and Broadway are open for business" and "you can even get tickets to The Producers right now!" Cementing the hype, time, place, and popularity of The Producers as a beacon of Broadway during this time.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 11:27am

Ditto about it being Mamma Mia even though Millie won the Tony.

But also is it really a huge and bold prediction that The Music Man will be successful? It was going to be a huge hit for Broadway even without the pandemic. The pandemic and a desire for lighthearted fare isn't going to suddenly be the reason Music Man is a hit...

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 11:31am

And TMM is the only Best Musical winner that has failed to recoup its investment in the last twenty years.

There's no "Millie effect".

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 11:55am

THE PRODUCERS did not open after the events of 9/11 - the show opened in April 2001 — 5 months prior. Yes, the buzz was still strong so audiences kept the show going strong.

MAMMA MIA! started previews October 5, 2001 (and opened October 18, 2001) and this feel good musical was what the world needed at that time. Meryl Streep attended one of these early performances (she took her youngest daughter and her friends) and promptly wrote a letter to the show’s producers letting them know when the film adaptation comes around, she’d be honored to play Donna. The producers took her up on her offer.

Also of note, Broadway resumed performances 2 days after the events of 9/11. Yes, seats were slightly empty due to no flights happening but shows returned to their regulari performance schedules 48 hours later. You can not compare this pandemic shutdown as it’ll be over a year that Broadway will have been shut down when it finally resumes.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 11:55am

greensgreens said: "Not that any one show was on its' own, but I think The Producers is what will be associated most with 9/11. It opened shortly after the attacks and was Broadway's way of saying, "we're open for business and we're not going anywhere!" And it was a straight-up old-fashioned big Broadway musical with massive stars (Millie was a classic, but it didn't really have any stars or the level of hype)and rave reviews. I also believe 9/11 depression helped it catapult even beyond its' actual achievements, although I adored the show.

It made the 9/11 connection even stronger when Rudy Giuliani said "New York and Broadway are open for business" and "you can even get tickets to The Producers right now!" Cementing the hype, time, place, and popularity of The Producers as a beacon of Broadway during this time."

Slight clarification, The Producers opened in April of 2001 and was established as a massive, juggernaut hit pretty much immediately. While it did help revitalize Broadway after the attacks, they in no way affected the trajectory of the show's success.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 12:38pm

That being said, I wouldn’t be shocked if we see a few tours making extended stops on Broadway. Hell, let’s just revive Mamma Mia.

Updated On: 12/30/20 at 12:38 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 3:50pm

How coincidental that a revival of The Music Man was playing on B'way slightly before and after 9/11, and now another one is set to open after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. 

I stand with the fact that the latest revival will be a hit regardless of the pandemic (Jackman! Foster!), but I think other shows will take on the roles of Mamma Mia! and The Producers post-9/11, notably Six and Mrs. Doubtfire. 

Yes, Thoroughly Modern Millie was an optimistic, joyful show, but it didn't serve as immediate relief from the terrorism as it opened in 2002. What show(s) will take on this role in 2022, one can only guess.

[David10086]

Posted: 12/30/20 at 11:58pm

I think a dazzling revival of CARRIE starting Lea Michele ( as Carrie) and Imelda Staunton ( as her mother) will do the trick. What could possibly go wrong? Broadway will bounce back once again!

🤣

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/31/20 at 12:02am

David10086 said: "I think a dazzling revival of CARRIE starting Lea Michele ( as Carrie) and Imelda Staunton ( as her mother) will do the trick. What could possibly go wrong? Broadway will bounce back once again!

?"

Love, Lea Michelle is cancel culture in the flesh. She won't be around for a very very long time, if at all.

She could play the gym that burns down as fast as her career.

 

[David10086]

Posted: 12/31/20 at 12:19am

blaxx said: "

Love, Lea Michelle is cancel culture in the flesh. She won't be around for a very very long time, if at all.

She could play the gym that burns down as fast as her career.

"
 

Nonsense, I tell you ! Miss Lea has quite a future to behold! CARRIE next year, FUNNY GIRL after that, DREAMGIRLS, and then Mama Rose in GYPSY. By the time she’s in her fifties she will be in the next revival of SUNSET BOULEVARD as Lea Desmond! Wait and see...

 

[greensgreens]

Posted: 12/31/20 at 12:32am

Memory ain’t what it used to be. Almost a decade ago, wow!!!