What show would you do?
What show would you do?
#0What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:02pm
We are getting ready to select a production to do next summer. We have a 57 year tradition of producing an outdoor summer musical that draws thousands each year.
Our Board has selected a few shows from which to select from. They are:
Crazy For You
Guys and Dolls
42nd Street
Singin' in the Rain
Footloose
Seussical
I am not worried about finding the talent necessary to do any of the shows....fortunately we don't have a problem finding the actor/dancers. I am just wondering what show(s) from the above you think would be crowd pleasers and bring in good audiences in the midwest? We have done Guys & Dolls in the past but it has been several years ago. Our audience consists mostly of families and retired folks.
Your comments or insight on any of the above shows would be greatly appreciated as we make our choice. I guess I am leaning towards Crazy For You, but I am not overly familiar with the show.
Thanks!
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#1re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:04pmAs much as I hate it - probably 42nd Street.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#2re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:07pmI would say Footloose (it's my favorite of those) except for the crowd you say you get. Probably not the best choice. I would say Guys and Dolls or 42nd Street.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
#3re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:08pm
I hate FOOTLOOSE and SEUSSICAL.
The stage version of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN isn't wonderful either...
You already did GUYS AND DOLLS, do something different.
Since your audience consists mostly of families and old people, CRAZY FOR YOU and 42ND STREET would be great choices. They are both very dance heavy shows, the casting is similar (though more of a male dancer for the former), and they contain insanely recognizable tunes.
If I had to choose 1, I would say 42ND STREET.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
BroadwayGirl107
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/03
#4re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:10pm
I absolutely LOVE Singin' in the Rain, but I never saw the stage version, so I'm not sure.
If not that, I'd probably say 42nd Street.
#5re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:14pm
FOOTLOOSE is a huge crowd pleaser, we sold out in our produtcion and the cast had a blast. We had the same type of crowd, pleanty of oppertunities(Sp) for everyone in the cast
Guys and Dolls is only great if you have a million amazing guys and no diva girls! Sorry but it's true and way overdone
Fear no more the heat o' the sun,
Nor the furious winter's rages;
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone and ta'en thy wages:
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.
~Cymbeline
gustof777
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/8/04
#8re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:36pm42nd Street
RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~
#9re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:41pm
I'm going to be an oddball and say Crazy For You. 
I have NEVER met Cheyenne Jackson. I have never hung out with him in his dressing room, he did not tweet me, he never bought me a beverage, and he mostly certainly didn't tickle me. . .that is all.
Updated On: 7/19/06 at 11:41 PM
#10re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:47pm
42nd Street!!
It can turn out amazing if done right- there is no better feeling in the world than nailing one of those tap numbers.
"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck
JohnBoy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/06
#11re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:58pmSince I am probably the only person responding here, that matches your audience demographic, I say CRAZY FOR YOU.
LuPonatic
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#12re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 12:16amI honestly say Singin in the Rain, because the Old Folks will flock I'm sure, and it can be fun for the kids. If we were just thinking of the families with kids, I would say Seussical of course.
#13re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 12:35amI did the stage production of Singin in the Rain and it was one of the worst shows I ever participated in. I would recommend 42nd Street or Seussical.
"In theater, the process of it is the experience. Everyone goes through the process, and everyone has the experience together. It doesn't last - only in people's memories and in their hearts. That's the beauty and sadness of it. But that's life - beauty and the sadness. And that is why theater is life." - Sherie Rene Scott
LuPonatic
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#14re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 7:31amAlthough I have also heard Singin in the Rain on stage is not good, that is probably the title most people will know, and they will probably be more inclined to cough up money if they have heard of the show.
#16re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 2:08pm"Crazy For You" would probably be your best bet. It features Gershwin music that retirees would like, and dancing that could still thrill young folks.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#17re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 2:19pm
If you have tap dancers, 42nd street.
If not. Singing in the Rain. The retired people will love it.
Salad_Fingers85
Stand-by Joined: 8/30/05
#18re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 2:41pmAs much as people probably disagree, I would say Seussical. It is a really good show that is fit specifically for families. Kids love it because they recognize the characters on stage. Seniors will enjoy this show because it is whimsical and fun and easy to comprehend. This show is simple yet fun and makes an excelent family production
Marguerite Chauvelin
Broadway Star Joined: 7/19/05
#20re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 3:46pmI think Crazy for You is cute, but a lot of people will be drawn to Singin' in the Rain.
If Percy Blakeney were in Les Mis....
Percy: Sink me! If it isn't Javvurt!
Javert: Zsah-vair, it's pronounced Zsah-vair.
Pecry: But it's spelled J-A-V-E-R-T Javvurt.
Javert: Repeat after me Zsah...Zsah....
Percy: Oh! Zsa-Zsa! Like the Gabor sister! Well I personally have always prefered Eva.
Javert: (Looks for gun)
Percy: Sink me! If it isn't Javvurt!
Javert: Zsah-vair, it's pronounced Zsah-vair.
Pecry: But it's spelled J-A-V-E-R-T Javvurt.
Javert: Repeat after me Zsah...Zsah....
Percy: Oh! Zsa-Zsa! Like the Gabor sister! Well I personally have always prefered Eva.
Javert: (Looks for gun)
#21re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 3:50pmI vote Seussical and Crazy for You
It was 6 hours, I don't even like to have sex and eat bacon for 6 hours.
Freddy Benson- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Freddy Benson- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Flahooley
Leading Actor Joined: 11/17/05
#22re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 4:15pmI would vote for SEUSSICAL. The others have been done to death. Also, SEUSSICAL has the potential for being profound and entertaining... the others not so much.
#23re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 4:53pm
I'd say if you had to pick two, do an old and a new.
I think Seussical is great for families. It's fun and exciting and the kiddies will love it.
For the other one do 42nd or Crazy for You. It'll appease the "old timers"
#24re: What show would you do?
Posted: 7/20/06 at 5:01pmHands down..."Crazy For You" if you find great tappers and your production value is high is one of my favorites!
"The choice may have been mistaken, the choosing was not..."
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