BABES IN ARMS: Does it have potential for a successful revival nowadays?

I wish it would. I've seen it twice at a now-defunct regional theatre, which I guess is sort of a rarity given what you said about it falling off the radar. (They did the version that Encores did.) It's a pretty joyous show that could definitely use a revival!

I got a surprise. When I looked for reviews of the Kathleen Marshall Encores production, I expected to see the usual glowing compliments of the famous hit songs alongside the derogation of the plot, which even in its time was considered thinner than Scott's toilet paper. Instead I see a review that starts as follows:

What is that exotic, pleasure-making activity taking place at City Center this weekend? It is officially described as a musical, but surely that's not the right word for this suave, silly and zephyrlike concoction that makes you want to dance all the way down Seventh Avenue. Anyone who has spent time on Broadway this season knows that musicals just aren't this much fun.

Yes, in a review that stands alongside Honeymoon in Vegas as one of his strongest is our own Ben Brantley. Let him explain the history of the different versions:

http://partners.nytimes.com/library/theater/021399babes-theater-review.html

Since Brantley wrote so highly of it, you would think that it should be revivable, but apparently one big problem is that it hits on some political issues that would offend some people. Encores did a little work on the book and lyrics.

Of the five hit songs, the one that has been almost forgotten is "Johnny One Note." That's a shame, since it is a unique and comic song with which the right vocalist can really shine. I remember a Judy Garland version in one of her MGM films that I always enjoyed. Ah, it was from the Rodgers and Hart biopic of course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCtNkGxOwNo


"Revisal" What a great word.

Updated On: 9/20/16 at 12:00 AM

Thanks for all your insights! I loved that Brantley review, and it just redoubled my desire to see this thing revived. It seems like it would be incredibly enjoyable. If the book needs its edges refined, I think a revisal like the 1987 Anything Goes might make it more viable, with or without additional interpolated numbers.