1st Disney Revival? - Page 2

[CurtainsUpat8]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 11:42pm

Beauty and the Beast, as a movie, is a Masterpiece. I saw the original cast of the musical on Broadway. It had some good moments but it also had some problems. The Lion King has a great story and is visual wonderful with some great music. It also was directed very well. It's creative and wonderful. I would agree it should have a place on Broadway. But NOT for 17 years. It's a money MACHINE for DISNEY. It has made BIllions of dollars. Success is fine on Broadway but to a large extent, this is what many Broadway shows aspire to. Not making a great show but making a show that will tourists, of all nationalities and representing every state in the Union, will flock to year after year.

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 11:45pm

CurtainsUp, I understand your comments and agree with some of your sentiments. However, I must say that THE LION KING was the first Broadway show I ever saw, and it sparked my interest in theatre. Because of this spark, I'm now more enlightened about the history of Broadway and the shows that came before and have come since the Disneyfication.

Are Disney shows as thought-provoking, challenging, and artistically beautiful as CABARET, NEXT TO NORMAL, or pretty much anything by Sondheim? Of course not. But they have a place on the boards. To me, they represent the magic of theatre and can serve to spark interest that may otherwise never be realized.

Not to mention the fact that "fluff" shows generally kill at the box office, and their audiences usually pay regular and premium prices, thereby pumping money into the industry. Also, I'm fairly certain Disney privately invests in shows (or at least did at some point) that they don't necessarily want their name attached to. I'm pretty sure I remember Schumacher saying in an interview that they invested in Spring Awakening.

So, would it be more artistically enriching if casual theatergoers went to see DISGRACED instead of WICKED? Possibly, but the industry is better financially supported by the $200 premium WICKED ticket than the $75 discount ticket to DISGRACED, not to mention that future theatre fans will be better entertained by the lighter fare. I think both shows have their place on the Broadway.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/14/14 at 11:59pm

And I do believe that there should always be a place on Broadway for the big hit that opens it up to a wider audience. Such as...

The Phantom of the Opera
The Lion King
Mamma Mia!
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Book of Mormon
Kinky Boots
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Aladdin

[bfreak]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 7:28am

I think one of the reasons why Disney on Broadway is still running so strong is because when they open up a new show it's something different and explores new options creatively for them. Nonetheless, they are still big tourist attractions at the end of the day. But that's not such a bad thing, as like Jeffrey said it brings people to Broadway that usually wouldn't. I don't think we'll be seeing any Disney revivals in the near future.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 7:43am

But how is it Disney's fault that the tourists flock to their shows? I mean, the musical is based off a cartoon, of course it's going to be mainstream and popular. Should all "tourist attractions" not be allowed on Broadway? Should Cinderella be allowed? Or Pippin? Pippin is all fluff also. What about Into The woods? It has fairytale characters in it that we all know and love. I understand your frustration but I think your anger is misguided. Are we just talking mega musicals? God forbid a musical make a profit. Should Les Mis and Phantom be on the list of "not real art because they have run for so long? So much wrong.

Updated On: 11/15/14 at 07:43 AM

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 11:13am

CurtainsUp, you seem to spend a lot of time (and money) seeing shows you obviously dispise as I'm sure you wouldn't disparage shows you haven't actually seen.

[brldisteach2]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:41pm

I feel there's a place for shows that make you think, AND there's a place for shows that entertain you, and shows that do both. People go to theatre for different reasons at different times. As other people have said, if a show doesn't interest you, then don't go see it.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:50pm

The funny thing is, if WICKED did end up a flop and closed prematurely, you all would be calling it the next Ragtime.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:20pm

I understand Curtainsup's frustration but I think it is wasted. Broadway, for the most part, has stopped being about new and exciting works. Because of the high costs in producing Broadway shows, runs have to be 1-5 years before breaking a profit. Consequently ticket prices are so high the real theatre lover has been priced out and replaced with bored tourists. They, for the most part, don’t want to go to the theatre to be challenged or for that matter have to pay very much attention. They want spectacles, big sets, flashy costumes, plots they already know and songs they can sing along to because they have them memorized. They want stars they have seen so they can brag that they saw them on Broadway ( people don’t go to see Matthew Broderick because he is a great actor,which he isn't. They go because they can brag they saw Ferris Bueller). They want to be able to eat, drink, text and talk during shows like they are watching TV. Occasionally you’ll get a show like Disgraced that is exciting and attracts an audience that generally knows how to behave during a show.

For really good and affordable theatre go to Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway or the regional theatres.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:20pm

The BATB tours since the Broadway run closed haven't been great. The original production was marvelous, though. They wouldn't bother with Mermaid or Tarzan again.

I think it would be wonderful if they brought back Aida! Not a typical "tourist trap crap" show built around the design. Underrated musical, in my opinion.

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:20pm

^ So True. Everyone who saw it would of been praising it instead of hating it right now. I love Wicked.. and no I'm not a "new" theatregoer.

[Starship]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:40pm

I feel as if Aida will get another chance in a few years, especially considering that by 2018 it'll have been 14 years since the original production closed on Broadway. I think that's an adequate amount of time between the original and revival.

I'm not usually the first to suggest big celebrities for roles on Broadway, but I absolutely think Lady Gaga would make a perfect Amneris if they were to bring back Aida. I also feel as if the show could work as a live television Broadcast if a network wanted to try a show that didn't really appeal to a large family audience. I think it could be quite beautiful and with the right names, could be quite interesting. -shrug-

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:44pm

The BATB tours since the Broadway run closed haven't been great.

The current tour that has been touring for the last three years is probably one of the worst productions I have ever seen. Tacky and cheap beyond belief.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 2:41pm

I think an AIDA revival is a good idea, or an all-star live taping for ABC. The current BATB tour is not great, but I think the original production was sensational!

[Feste]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 6:15pm

My guess is it would be Beauty and the Beast with no drastic changes in the production as it was.

[Starship]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 9:24pm

An AIDA broadcast with Janelle Monáe as Aida, Lady Gaga as Amneris, and Chris Pine as Radames (if ITW does well)? Imagine the viewership on that broadcast, and you could fill the rest of the cast out with members of the Broadway community. However, I feel that even just having a name like Lady Gaga as Amneris, you could get away with casting a Broadway actress as Aida or Radames. I have the impression that Gaga alone would bring in more ratings than Underwood did.

Other possibilities (based on the patterns from recent star Broadway star castings/live broadcasts):
Aida: Keke Palmer, Zoe Saldana (I've seen an interview where she's sung a bit and she has fantastic voice), Seycon Sengbloh, Solange Knowles, Michelle Williams
Amneris: Mandy Moore (not sure if she has the range), Emma Stone (same as Moore), Idina Menzel (not really age appropriate but who knows, maybe her "Frozen" title might give the networks SOME boost in marketability)



Updated On: 11/15/14 at 09:24 PM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 9:43pm

Laura Benanti as Amneris. Please.

[degrassifan]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 12:19am

I would love a revival of The Little Mermaid. The show had so much promise. The new songs were amazing!

On a side note, I don't get the hate for Disney/popular musicals. I doubt Disney produce Broadway shows just to attract tourists. Also, making money and hoping for a long run are all good things to me. Isn't that one of the goals of every play? I sure hope so. I just hate the idea that anything popular or successful is garbage.

[CurtainsUpat8]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 9:18am

There is nothing wrong with a hit on Broadway making money. But when it becomes a machine, like it is with Disney, then it becomes vulgar. MOST of their stage productions have no/little artistic value.. as their movies do. They are copies of the movies. Their primary goal is to make money. For example: Mary Poppins is a PERFECT movie. WHY would you think that you could duplicate that magical movie on stage? It didn't work. It tried but it was pale in comparison with the movie. Watch the movie. There is no need for the stage play.

Most writers write to fulfill an artistic goal. IF it becomes a hit that is AMAZING. Disney tries to use it brand,and it's great movies, and puts these lame shows up for the primary purpose to make money. You can disagree or berate me, I don't care. Disney is a greedy corporation that should keep it's entertainment in it's theme parks.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 9:36am

" Mary Poppins is a PERFECT movie. WHY would you think that you could duplicate that magical movie on stage? It didn't work"

Umm it most certainly did work. Your argument doesn't really make any sense. The only "machine" Disney really has is Lion King and why should they stop it? It's a very creative piece of theatre. Disney doesn't like having too many shows of the same nature on broadway which is why they closed BATB to make way for TLM. So not sure why think they are obsessed with shilling out their shows.

And I would definitely disagree that the shows they put on have no artistic value. I'm sorry but anyone who thinks Lion king and the original BATB had no artistic value, needs to get their head examined.

You sound more like someone who got fired from Disney or something.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 10:07am

I'm neither a fan nor a detractor of Disney's. I've liked some of their shows, disliked others and even loathed one or two.

Since they have an ongoing source of possible new developments, I doubt that they will make the move to a revival for MANY years.

I think Disney has a place on Bway, what a great way to start the fans of tomorrow to the magic and beauty of live theater.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 3:49pm

I can't put my finger on if Disney got cocky with the success of The Lion King or if they felt pressure to keep up with the "amazing/unique design" standard. TLM and Tarzan had plenty of potential but they just weren't executed that well.

Poppins at least had some distinct differences from the film and I LOVED it. Saw the tour three times.

[Starship]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 3:54pm

Mary Poppins was pure magic. Even the tour was stunning.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 4:13pm

The Lion King was my first Disney on Broadway production. Turned me off to anything Disney again. The will not get my dinero.

[CurtainsUpat8]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 4:19pm

Why doesn't Disney license out their shows to be produced on Broadway to someone else? Because they want complete control. Let another producer mount a production of Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and I might go. Sondheim lets people like John Doyle do all sorts of things with his shows on Broadway. Disney will never let it happen because they are a brand. You are being sold a product/propaganda... not a piece of theatre.