Blast from the Past...STARLIGHT EXPRESS- Page 2

[west end artist1]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 4:24am

I have to say that is shocked everyone here in the UK at how long it ran for here(something stupid like 15 years)because a lot of UK theatre goers hated it.

You guys got it sooooooooo right closing the shows so early in New York as it is an awfull show what relied on loud musical and OTT antics to get a reaction from the audience.

We have had the god awfull 3d touring production going round for a few years now but thats even worse.

Its time starlight is laid to rest once and for all.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 4:51am

I saw Starlight several years ago in Las Vegas while it played at the Hilton. It was trimmed down a bit with no intermission. I loved it, absolutely loved it. For the longest time I thought I was the probably the only one on these boards. I saw it both times with Reva Rice. Yes it was loud. But everything about the show was perfect, from the mix to the acting, to the costmes to the specail effects. That show belongs in Las Vegas. I was surprised when they closed it.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 4:51am

I saw Starlight several years ago in Las Vegas while it played at the Hilton. It was trimmed down a bit with no intermission. I loved it, absolutely loved it. For the longest time I thought I was the probably the only one on these boards. I saw it both times with Reva Rice. Yes it was loud. But everything about the show was perfect, from the mix to the acting, to the costmes to the specail effects. That show belongs in Las Vegas. I was surprised when they closed it.

[alterego]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 7:55am

I saw the 1989 Australian/Asian Production. It was cast from Australia, England, U.S. and Japan. It was presented in an arena whereby the audience sat on four sides looking down at the action. At the time it was terrific visually but failed to win an audience in Australia frequently playing to houses that were down at around 40% of capacity in venues holding 10,000 +. There was a cast album made (released on vinyl and cassette) which I have, but rarely play.

Posted: 10/12/06 at 7:00pm

Did the London or Broadway casts ever do an cast recording?

[Producer2]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 7:02pm

i have a cassette tape with pop stars at the time performing the music- el debarge is on it.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 7:25pm

There is a double CD of the original london cast, but no OBCR. The CD used to be insanely priced($75 range) but I think is down now, not really sure. I keep meaning to buy it just to have it in my collection. I'm sure the CD still costs 75 bucks if you go to Colony, as their prices are stuck in the late 80's for double albums. I remember seeing this as a 7 year old on the first national tour and loving it. Of course I was 7 at the time.

Posted: 10/12/06 at 7:35pm

That overture sounds so weird.
Amazon.Com Starlight

[lilprima2b]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 9:35pm

hahahaha I saw this in Vegas when I was probably seven years old, one of the first shows I ever saw. My mother loved it and made us buy her the cast recording for her birthday. I found it a few months ago and tried to listen to it, but I had to turn it off about three minutes in due to bleeding ears. ergh.

[Sugarpop69]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 9:40pm

Single most forgettable musical I've ever seen. The only thing I remember about the show is thanking GOD when the little engine that could finally got a solo and the only special effect was a single spotlight.

I do remember how I ended up there. London '96, study abroad, wandering around town and found their "TKTS" type booth. I had ten quid in my pocket and I went up to the guy and said "What can I see for this?" "Seriously?" he said. "Yep." ... *blink* ... "Starlight Express".

Posted: 10/12/06 at 9:42pm

Where did it play in London?

[Sugarpop69]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 9:45pm

The Apollo Victoria Theatre.
My 10 quid got me in the LAST row. I didn't have my glasses with me, so I had those stupid 25p "opera glasses" glued to my face all night!

[alterego]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 2:17am

I think Lloyd Webber proped the show up financially in London for years. It is still on in Germany where they built a theatre specifically for it.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 9:06am

Alter,

I loved the Australian production, must have seen it about 9 times.
Also saw it in Vegas and New York, it's just one of those fun shows.
There was a rumor that a new touring arena production was due back in Australia Jan 2008.

[JBSinger]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:24am

this was also my first Bway show to see in NYC. Original cast. I was already familiar with it from my London cast cassettes and was disappointed in the changes they made when they brought it over here. It was fun, I guess, but Les Miz the following night blew it away.

[algy]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 11:34am

You can get the double CD from amazon.co.uk for about £12.99.

I've only seen the "Godawful" current UK tour, and whilst it has no plot, it's a fun way of spending an afternoon, and gets kids into theatres - "you wanna go see a show about trains?"

It's not as bad as people make out, but needs to be viewed tongue in cheek. Mykal Rand makes the UK tour - his skating is light years better than anyone elses.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 10/13/06 at 12:10pm

This is one of my favorite ALW shows, just because it is so much fun!

[theatrelovr]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 10:24pm

HI, sorry it took so long to get back, the orchestra is not listed. Sorry.

[theatrelovr]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 10:30pm

Just speaking for myself, other than a friend being in it, I found part of the appeal was that people wanted to see a broadway show done on skates. If you think about it, anyone who went in thinking they were going to see a great vocal and acting show were going to be disappointed. It was fantasy and thats what was so good about it. I guess it was just about being taken away from life for a few hours.