OK, we can happily agree there - I would prefer a revival of an interesting show any day over any jukebox musical. Including the few acceptably fun ones.
Thanks for the link, Will42! It's lovely. Yes, Angela Lansbury should have been the one to star in a revival of LADY IN THE DARK. Too bad the stars weren't in alignment at the right time.
Um... with the right casting choices ONE TOUCH OF VENUS would be a huge hit on Broadway today. The book is clever, and because it has not been oft revived (I'm pretty sure that Encores was it's only NY revival thanks to a poop film adaptation), the jokes seem FRESH and VIBRANT.
I just saw a staged concert in Houston, TX this past summer. The piece is BRILLIANT!
I have no doubt in my mind that if they cast Kristen Chenoweth as VENUS her fan base would fuel the show until word-of-mouth could get it extended.
DEClarke, I think you should produce a One Touch of Venus revival; I'd happily go see it, but sincerely fear that you'll lose every cent of your investors' money...
Not having seen a production of it (but having just read the play), I would like to see a revival of Martin Sherman's Bent. The original 1980 Broadway production starred Richard Gere (Ian McKellen starred in the original 1979 production at the Royal Court in London) and it was nominated for best play (losing the Tony to Children of a Lesser God). I don't think it's ever been revived on Broadway.
Coach Bob knew it all along: you've got to get obsessed and stay obsessed. You have to keep passing the open windows. (John Irving, The Hotel New Hampshire)
Starmites and Starlight Express in the same theater. The cast performs selections from Via Galactica after curtain call. It'll be a sci-fi on Broadway spectacular in rep.
Can we get a really lovely Christopher Durang play? They are butchered so often (and oh my goodness the monologues..) that I would love to see one done WELL.
I'm with those who want a revival of "My Fair Lady." Unlike many musicals of the 40s and 50s, "My Fair Lady" has a story to which modern audiences can relate. However, if the show is revived on Broadway, I hope that someone casts an actor under the age of 50 to play Henry Higgins. I saw a touring production a few years ago at the Kennedy Center with the late Christopher Cazenove as Higgins. He was, I think, 63 at the time, and overweight. I have Arena Stage tickets for the new tour, starring Benedict Campbell-- a professorial-looking, older gentleman. The actor playing Higgins should be young enough to be the son of the actor playing his mother, and neither of them fit the bill.
I also disagree with George Bernard Shaw's misogynistic view that Eliza would marry Freddy. By "The Rain in Spain," it is clear that she is falling in love with Higgins. That means that Higgins has to have some charisma and sex appeal. This is hardly a radical notion -- Rex Harrison's nickname was "Sexy Rexy."
Here is my "My Fair Lady" dream cast: Eliza Doolittle -- Emmy Rossum, Sierra Boggess, or (from what I've heard about Les Mis) Samantha Barks. Henry Higgins -- Gerard Butler or Johnny Depp. Freddy Eynsford-Hill -- any of the actors who have recently played "Raoul" in "The Phantom of the Opera." Colonel Pickering -- Patrick Stewart or Geoffrey Rush or Alan Rickman or Jeremy Irons. Alfred P. Doolittle -- Sacha Baron Cohen. (I can't begin to think of anyone else except Johnny Depp, whom I've listed as a possible Higgins). Mrs. Pierce -- Miranda Richardson or Helena Bonham Carter. Mrs. Higgins -- Maggie Smith or Judith Dench.
I DO! I DO!...with patti lupone and mandy patinkin ANYONE CAN WHISTLE... ( ASSASSINS was revived only 8 years ago...shouldn't there be some standard for time passing between revivals of a revival?)
I second Show Boat, but then again, I don't know...
Don't think I'm interested in seeing the show boat rendered in cheesy CGI and projected upon a scrim. Nor do I wish to witness Queenie playing the tuba.
Maybe next year, or whenever current standards aren't sh*tty.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.