Big — Page 2

I read that book, Morosco...you are right, it opens your eyes to just how difficult a process putting on a Broadway show is.

...Which is why I tend to get miffed now when I see the negativity on this board toward new productions in previews. After reading the book, (and others like it about other shows), you'll think twice before ripping on a show in previews.

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I had the lead role a few years ago in a community theatre production. I had always loved the OBC and was thrilled to be cast in a role I had been longing to do.

True, the songs in the version that is available now are not as much fun as the songs in the OBC, but it was fun nonetheless (no pun intended).

I read Isenberg's book while we were rehearsing the show. I'd recommend it for anyone interested in the process of creating a Broadway show.

Big should be revived. Like Chicago, I think it was a show that, in it's original run, didn't get the acclaim or the audience it deserved. Chicago had to compete with Chorus Line, Big had Rent. People complained that Big was "too Big", and over-produced. It's such a beautiful story. I think it might work better in a smaller house, maybe off-Broadway.

One thing they never did get right, though, is the opening number for Susan. On Broadway, it was "Here We Go Again", replaced for the tour by the even worse "My Secretary's In Love". I read (either in Isenberg or a Showmusic article) that they wrote something like 20 different opening numbers for Susan. I'd love to hear some of the others. They have to be better than the two mentioned above!

We cut her number "Little Susan Laurence" (I think that was the name of it). Very cuttable.

But most of the numbers are amazing. "Coffee, Black" and "Cross the Line" are pure joy. "Stars", "Do you Want to Play Games?" and "I Want to Know" were really fun to perform. The new version of "Fun" isn't as "fun" as the Broadway version, but still good. And of course, "Stop, Time". That's Maltby & Shire at their best. We didn't do "I Want to Go Home". It's "optional". At the time I thought it was a good idea for us not to do it, but in retrospect, I wish we'd done it. I did it for auditions.

I wish Maltby & Shire would do another show. I also love Baby (in which I played Nick) and Closer Than Ever (haven't done yet).
Has anyone heard anything about them? I hope the failure of Big hasn't soured them from returning to Broadway.

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I saw the original cast, and have to admit to being incredibly disappointed. I had great seats, too! I thought the Stro's dances went on far too long....they built to be anti-climatic. Other than boredom, and disdain for the 'show'bizzy' kids...the only thing I recall about it was a real long 'commercial' for FAO Schwartz. I also thought that the talents of Jenkins and Walsh were wasted.

That's more or less 2 for 3 for Susan Stroman...BIG and Thou Shalt Not on one hand, and then there's Showboat, Contact and Producers.

Here's a wierd thing - listen to Daniel Jenkins on the OBC recording, and you'll find yourself thinking "I know Tom Hanks doesn't sing - but if he did, this is probably what he'd sound like!"

I found the original production absolutely awful. What the hell was that amusement park ride with the dummies riding around in it?

I did love the Forbidden Broadway parody. "Hey - Susan Stroman choreography -- AWESOME!!!"

Updated On: 3/7/06 at 12:37 PM

I saw a community theatre production of Big a year ago, that a number of my friends were in. I remember thinking it was a bit too long, but I did enjoy it...I absolutely LOVE "Dancing All the Time." It's a fantastic story based off a fantastic movie, and with a little nip/tuck here and there, it could be a success.

That's right
We're Susan's friends
We have lived through...
Jerks
Oddballs
Slimeballs
Ph.D's
We love Susan
And you'd better love her too

I actually liked the tour version of "The Real thing" better than the OBC. Longer and funnier.

[And maybe it's a good idea to give the executives a number, but not if the lyrics go like this "
Toys. We Make Toys.
Cute little toys."]

I admit that that song was a little dumb, but our director made it pretty funny. Had only had the three executives (Barrett, Birnbaum, Lipton) sing it (our Lipton was a girl so the voices balanced better). Our choreography was mainly us with forced smiles displaying the various toys we designed and trying to look like we're having fun, but obviously wishing we were somewhere else. For the "cute lil' toys" line, we sort of snapped it out like it pained us to say that and the whole thing was very sarcastic. At the end when we all threatened Josh, we each picked up an action figure, walked to the edge of the stage, and tore off their heads on the last beat of the song. The audience loved it.

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