Bad Show Concepts

[Dancinblonde19]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 12:39pm

We all know that many shows fail due to numerous faults in different aspects of the production (book, score, actors, etc.) But are some shows doomed from the start? What shows do you think were cursed from the beginning due to a bad concept?

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 12:42pm

A show about dancing and singing vampires.

[SoulMadeOfSong]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 12:53pm

Lockstock
Everything in its time, Little Sally. You're too young to understand it
now, but nothing can kill a show like too much exposition.

Little Sally
How about bad subject matter?

Lockstock
Well -

Little Sally
Or a bad title, even? That could kill a show pretty good.

-----------------------------------

Little Sally
I don't think too many people are going to come see this musical,
Officer Lockstock.

Lockstock
Why do you say that, Little Sally? Don't you think people want to be
told that their way of life is unsustainable?

Little Sally
That, and the title's awful.

Lockstock
I suppose you're right, Little Sally. I do suppose you're right.

-------------------------------

Urinetown- They even admit it, during the show. But thats why its so fantastic!

[SoulMadeOfSong]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 12:53pm

double post- oops! Updated On: 8/21/06 at 12:53 PM

[matt schneider]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 12:57pm

Of course all vampire ones, and also I think the concept of urinetown is bad, but the actual musical wasn't bad.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 1:00pm

Is anyone seeing the story on the front page about Secondhand Lions The Musical?

There ya go.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 1:15pm

"Naked Macbeth"

[RyanDavis]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 1:18pm

lol... that's so true

[HeartandMusic]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 1:27pm

"Glue and Paper: The Story of Sticky-Notes"

lol, I spaced and thought we were supposed to come up w/ bad concepts for musicals, not name pre-existing ones. *blushes*.

In that case....Tommy. I just don't think it works. Updated On: 8/21/06 at 01:27 PM

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 3:22pm

In My Life seems to be a definitive answer.

[queendork]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 3:33pm

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 03:33 PM

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 4:25pm

Yes, I was thinking Urinetown too. Poor Little Sally.

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 6:06pm

Vengeful barber + much bloodletting + cannibalism = bad concept

Sweeney Todd + Sondheim = sublime

It’s all in the execution not the concept, if you ask me.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 6:32pm

Cats

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 6:46pm

There's a whole chapter dedicated to this exact topic in the brilliant book "Not Since Carrie" by Ken Mandelbaum. Some concepts are just outrageous, but one that really comes to mind is the adaptation of the novel Lolita. I just don't think it's a story that sings precisely.

[tophertilson]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 7:11pm

BIG and WEDDING SINGER - musicals based on movies which were centered around specific performances by charismatic movie stars. Take away Tom Hanks, Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore and you don't have much there. The musicals were doomed from the start.

Next up, I suspect - LEGALLY BLONDE.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/21/06 at 8:09pm

i dont think WEDDING SINGER is a bad concept, but thats just me, im a WEDDING SINGER fan... :P
um, definitely LESTAT, i wouldnt say DRACULA though, i think that could be an awesome show if done correctly
dont know...just all the flops and such :P