Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Joined: 12/31/69
#0Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 10:19am
Has anyone else seen Bright Lights, Big City live with the OBC? I have recently bought this cd because I heard Patrick Wilson was on it (I love him so much!!), and I am in love with the cd.
I just think it's a bit weird to see these type of musicals come out and run for a short time, but then they turn out to be musical phenomenons! <--did I spell that right?
Can anyone else think of a musical that has had this happen to it?
#1re: Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 10:24am
I am not sure I'd call Bright Lights, Big City a phenomenon.
To answer your question, no one saw the OBC because the show was never on Broadway.
It ran for 31 performances Off Broadway in 1999, but not featuring the cast on the CD. I believe the only cast member on the studio recording from the Off-Broadway run was Patrick Wilson.
Here are some details on that short run in 1999:
http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&title=Bright%20Lights%20Big%20City
As for musicals with short runs, it happens for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes they find their audience via recordings after the show was forced to close.
Updated On: 1/23/06 at 10:24 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#2re: Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 10:28am
Did I call Bright Lights, Big City a phenomenon?? I think you might have to read again Patronus. I really like Bright Lights,Big City anyways.
I was just asking if you knew any musicals that ran for a short time, but people really like them.
#3re: Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 10:41am
I just think it's a bit weird to see these type of musicals come out and run for a short time, but then they turn out to be musical phenomenons!
You only named one musical in your post and then referred to the "type" as turning out to be "phenomenons".
Since we are being technical, you may also note that I didn't say that you called Bright Lights, Big City a phenomenon, but rather that I wasn't sure that I'd call it one.
I'd say Carrie is a musical that had a very short run and ended up becoming a phenomenon. Of course, it wasn't for the reason that the producer would have liked.
#4re: Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 10:48amHahahaha did you really just call it a phenomenon and then say you didn't call it a phenomenon?
#5re: Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 10:50am
Also, I think that with EVERY musical - there are some people that really like it.
Take Good Vibrations, for example.
People's tastes vary. Also, cast recordings can be more pleasurable and easy to handle than some actual shows.
I thought Little Women was a bit bland, but I enjoy the cast recording a lot, mainly because I can skip the songs that bothered me in the first place and enjoy the rest of them.
In the case of "Bright Lights, Big City" - I'm not sure what the show was like, but listening to the studio recording there are some clear problems (first and foremost that song "Odeon" - I get embarassed just listening to it) - but there are also a LOT of great songs too, that make for good listening.
I don't think it is unusual for shows that "closed early" or what have you to become more popular/gain an audience when you can just focus on the music.
Now what would you say if today I started over?
Without a thing but this taped together four leaf clover
And I'll pretend like everything is already alright
And I'll run toward the sun till the castle's out of sight
#6re: Bright Lights, Big City( plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 10:50amThe Original cast featured Patrick Wilson, Jacqueline B. Arnold, Carla Bianco, Natascia A. Diaz, Jerry Dixon, John Link Graney, Napiera Daniele Groves, Liza Lapira, Ken Marks, Kerry O'Malley, AnnMarie Milazzo and Paul Scott Goodman.
nomdeplume
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/05
#7re: Bright Lights, Big City (plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:19pm
I saw the original NYTW show of Bright Lights, Big City and Patrick Wilson was the best thing in it. His talent stood out. That's where I first saw him perform and from there he went straight to Broadway where I happened to be given comps by a friend and saw him in Fascinatin' Rhythm, which again, he was the best thing about. On to The Full Monty and Oklahoma! with Tony noms (I also saw those and particularly liked what he did with the latter) and off to Hollywood. I'm glad he's coming back to Broadway in Barefoot in the Park. Wish it was a singing role.
I think Patrick Wilson's willingness to stay with the project is the main reason the show has been able to get a CD. Whatever he sings is worth hearing.
Updated On: 1/23/06 at 12:19 PM
#8re: Bright Lights, Big City (plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:46pmCan you make me come? Can you make me come? Can you make me come? Can you make me come?
nomdeplume
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/05
#9re: Bright Lights, Big City (plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 1:20pmI'm sure Patrick Wilson could make even the phone book sound interesting if he sang it.
#10re: Bright Lights, Big City (plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 1:27pm
I loveeeeee the "Bright Lights, Big City" studio recording. Yes, there are some flaws in the plot/numbers but apperantly the studio version is much improved and tighter than the Off-Broadway production. I wish there was some way to get the rights for the show -- I'd love to do it at my college.
~Sam
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#11re: Bright Lights, Big City (plus other musicals)
Posted: 1/23/06 at 1:54pmI love this show. I also think the women who plays Jamie's mother on the recording is from the Original Cast. She's great on the recording. I love her song at the end, I don't know any of the titles to the actual songs, but its a gorgeous song.
