2005 FUTURE HITS AND FLOPS- Page 3

[jo]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 9:40am

I saw CHITTY several times at the West End and I enjoyed it a lot. Don't be surprised if it caters not just to families with children - there are many who grew up with the movie who would want to see if it is very reminiscent of their favourite childhood movie. A few new songs have been added to the Sherman Brothers-composed movie songs. It also features some very spectacular sets and, of course, the beloved flying car

I hope Michael Ball comes along with CHITTY when it flies across the pond!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 9:46am

Does no one have an opinion about OPPOSITE OF SEX?

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:10am

Batboy's returning to New York? I knew it was in London but Ididn't know it was coming back here. With Deven May?

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:17am

I have an opinion on The Opposite Of Sex. I would love it to be a huge smash, but I think it's going to be a tough sell. DeeDee Truitt is so unlikeable and the central premise of the story is equally unpleasant, so winning over audiences might prove difficult. Also, and Rathnait you're going to hate me for this, but if Ziemba is playing the part of Lucia, then I fear she has been totally miscast.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:42am

Hmmm.. Who would you have cast (and I don't hate you - you could be right)?

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:51am

God, who would I have cast? I don't want to be unoriginal and say Alice Ripley, but someone more in that vein.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:55am

You mean blonde? Elaborate some more.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:58am

I partly mean blonde, although they can always wig up Ziemba, but I mainly mean someone with some kind of edge to them, someone who can be spiky and prickly and mean. What I have seen of Ziemba (which admittedly is not a huge amount, Chicago and Contact), that's something she's not.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 11:05am

Is that what you're worried about? She can do that. And it will be great for her to be seen in a different light. Now, we just have to see who they're recasting in Morrison's role.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 11:07am

She just always seems so NICE, you know? If she can pull it off, then hooray. As for who they're putting in instead of Matthew, God only knows. Probably Clay Aiken.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 11:15am

That's just the roles you've seen her in, and her public persona. Trust me, she'll be great at the edgy stuff.

Clay Aiken? Bite your tongue. HARD.

[AnnaFabulous]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 11:15am

To those that wanted DRACULA to be a hit....no. The only reason it would generate any money would be for the people who are intrigued by gothic musicals, it has Wildhorn branded on it, or people go to see it out of curiouity (that's why I saw it).
It isn't good. The script is ridiculously underdeveloped (as are the lyrics to all the songs), the characters are jokes (the most developed one is Mina, Dracula is a charicature not a character), the plot is barely understandable, and although the music is pretty (sometimes) parts of it were identicle to 'Jekyll and Hyde' or 'Pimpernel'. The sets are pretty, the vamiresses are pretty, the actors can act (I wouldn't be surprised if Errico got a Best Actress nom)
I was talking to Melissa Errico and Tom Hewitt, and Errico was telling me how she's "So sick of all this 'c'mon get happy' crap on Broadway! What we really need is substance! This is substance!" Darling, I beg to differ. It's not'c'mon get happy' but it doesn't deserve to be on broadway, just because of a name.
There's my rant everyone! Not a hit. It may not flop (like I think it will), but not a hit.

[BroadwayMonkey]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 11:50am

Ohhhhh! I LOVE Sweet Charity! It's justs one of those shows i had when I was young and loved it.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 12:12pm

I say THANK GOD they didn't give the part to Marissa Tomei even though she harrased them for it all summer. I cannot stand her acting.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 12:23pm

Well apparently neither could anyone else, luckily for you.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 2:59pm

I can see what's left of my summer wages slowly melting away as I read this thread. Good thing I'm still working part-time when school starts. :)

I have high hopes for BKLYN and Spamalot. I like Sutton Foster, but Little Women is still pretty uninteresting to me.

And I can't stand The Pajama Game, no matter how much of a classic it supposedly is.

[shesings]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 8:58pm

I adore the PJ Game. But they said it was coming summer 2004. It keeps getting pushed back which makes me wonder if it will ever make it. Also while I really like it it might be too out of date to be a big sucess. I mean how much can the really update it?

[Ron88keys]

Posted: 8/16/04 at 10:36pm

I'm excited about the Opposite of Sex musical because I'm a big fan of the movie. Very funny and smart writing, but of course, I'm worried about what the music will be like.....

Ron
www.ccplayhouse.com

[timote316]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 12:03am

Hm, my opinions:

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - hit. Older generations will bring younger version to see this one, which could possibly (probably actually lol) spark a re-make of the film

Dirty Rotten Scoundrals - hm, this one's a toss-up for me. The only thing I know about this is the cast. That looks good, but I don't know how well the story will translate to the stage. Could go either way.

Sweet Charity - I'm going to say flop. Christina Applegatein the lead role seems like a stunt casting job right from the get-go. However, that my opinion, as I've never heard her sing. Plus, I had never heard about this show until I saw it on the Broadway in Boston lineup of the coming season. We shall see about this one.

All Shook Up - Miss, but not a flop. Depending on how good the book is, this one will be a one season hit. Elvis music will draw a fair amount of people. It'll last the season, but will likely be closed for a new show in '05-'06.

La Cage Aux Folles - hit. Announced cast is awesome so far. Will draw in fans of the original, as well as fans of 'The Birdcage'. This one could last a couple of years, at the least.

Little Women - sorry to say, but flop. Susan will be a nice draw, but I don't think this one will sell very well. Regardless how good it is, I can't picture this selling that many tickets

Spamalot - hit. If they bill this to the general public that it's Monty Python, which they probably will, its an almost guarenteed hit. The cast so far is good, which is a plus. MP & The Holy Grail is a huge draw, which bodes well for Spamalot.

Brooklyn - should be a hit. Or at least it'll be good.

Dracula - from the reviews I've heard, flop. Shame, too, it had such potential.

I don't know, this season seems a little bit weak. I just don't see a real stand-out show like Wicked or Avenue Q. I do however see a few Taboos (meaning box-office flops)

[venticelli]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 12:13am

AnnaFabulous - many thanks for the review. I (like you) was curious about the Dracula production, and tom Hewitt's performance. He's great, and a really good guy - but it seems as though the cast is doomed to flop amidst this spectacle! Anyone read the Times piece on Wildhorn musicals this past Sunday? The only good thing in the article was the quote(s) from Doug Sills! long live Doug Sills!

[BT]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 12:33pm

Gotta disagree with Bare being stuck in off-broadway. Case in point, we have a group of (quite talented) puppets talking about the state of affairs in the world and there are some (yes even on these boards) who think they are not worthy of the great white way. I think Antionette Perry has already disagreed...

Bare is great - deals with some good coming of age issues and is full of pretty awesome music and even better performers!

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 12:37pm

Amen to that.

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 3:51pm

I'm placing my bets on BKLYN being an enormous smash, along with Spamalot. The former being the one new show I MUST see this fall. Sadly, the others haven't interested me as of yet... it's probably just me but the line up seems a little dull for my tastes. I'm sure there is some great stuff in there though, it will be interesting to see which make it and which don't.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels only grabbed my attention because of the people signed on with it. Great performers, but not a reason I usually see a show. Not until I get a little more information about it...

Sutton Foster in Little Women may cause me to break my previously mentioned rule and sit through the show. I hated the book, I hated the movie.. bleh, maybe I won't break my rule.

And as for BARE, I completely adore this show, and am dying to see it. (Question: When is it opening off-broadway and where? I am so there) But I don't see it becoming a hit on Broadway only because it might not appeal to the masses. Not because of the gay issue necessarily, but the teenager/high school plot, which may cause people to not give it the chance it rightfully deserves. If it comes to Broadway and blows up, I'll happily eat my words. I'd love to see it do well.

And a West Side revival in the future? Am I the only one that is COMPLETELY THRILLED by this? I can't wait.

[Plum]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 4:34pm

I think a West Side Story revival with the original choreography could be just amazing. Because really, that show was all about the dancing. And the revival of A Little Night Music is my top priority for the future. Luckily, my dad absolutely adores it and won't grumble about paying a lot for tickets. :)

[broadwaylover2]

Posted: 8/17/04 at 4:47pm

My pick for 2005 hit - Leap Of Faith. This is Alan Menken's new musical based on the Steve Martin movie. I got to see the workshop this spring with Brian Darcy James in the lead. This show is jump out of your seat crazy exciting. I've heard Des Macanuf is directing. This show can't miss.