#27
Posted: 3/8/05 at 9:55am
I saw it on Broadway with Ms. Lawrence and later in London with a forgotten understudy. I also highly recommend the Lawrence recording (and I also have the Barbara Dickson, Kiki Dee and Petula Clark recordings, and Lawrence is my favorite).
My mother always used to say, "The older you get, the better you get, unless you're a banana." - Rose Nyland
#28
Posted: 3/8/05 at 10:27am
My high school did Blood Brothers a few years ago. It is not sung through, actually act 2 has very few songs. It is an ok show. I personally feel that the music is better by itself than when put together with the dialogue.
#29
Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:03am
Blood Brothers didn't do well on Broadway? It had a two-year run, 6 Tony nominations, a Theatre World Award for Stephanie Lawrence and I was told it recouped its investment, but I don't know if that is a fact.
I saw the show in London and on Broadway (as well as An Inspector Calls on both trips) and I would see it again. Yes, it is melodramatic as is nearly every dramatic musical, so I'm ot sure why that's an issue. It has a beautiful score and it's story does play out similar to a Greek tragedy including the fulfilled prophecy and narrator who serves as the Greek chorus. I found it to be the most emotionally devastating musical since Les Miserables and Falsettos. I agree that the Kiki Dee and Stephanie Lawrence recordings are the best. I'm currently on the lookout for the New Zealand cast recording. I've heard it's terrific.
I saw the show in London and on Broadway (as well as An Inspector Calls on both trips) and I would see it again. Yes, it is melodramatic as is nearly every dramatic musical, so I'm ot sure why that's an issue. It has a beautiful score and it's story does play out similar to a Greek tragedy including the fulfilled prophecy and narrator who serves as the Greek chorus. I found it to be the most emotionally devastating musical since Les Miserables and Falsettos. I agree that the Kiki Dee and Stephanie Lawrence recordings are the best. I'm currently on the lookout for the New Zealand cast recording. I've heard it's terrific.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#30
Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:21am
Spiderdj82 - that's the one. Highly recommended
Mr Matt - I'd heard that they'd re-released the New Zealand recording - it's certainly available at Dress Circle (direct link below). I didn't know that it ran that long on Broadway, but I hope that it did at least recoup.
There are rumours (merely rumours) that the London production may be winding down soon - it's only a few tourists and school parties that keep it going, so if anyone is planning a trip to London and hasn't seen it - GO!! It's a score that really needs to be heard in the context of the play, otherwise the contant reprises and simplicity of the songs become very apparent. However, I've seen it several times in London, as well as catching the UK tour whenever it comes to my city, so as you can tell, I'm one of the fans
Blood Brothers NZ
Mr Matt - I'd heard that they'd re-released the New Zealand recording - it's certainly available at Dress Circle (direct link below). I didn't know that it ran that long on Broadway, but I hope that it did at least recoup.
There are rumours (merely rumours) that the London production may be winding down soon - it's only a few tourists and school parties that keep it going, so if anyone is planning a trip to London and hasn't seen it - GO!! It's a score that really needs to be heard in the context of the play, otherwise the contant reprises and simplicity of the songs become very apparent. However, I've seen it several times in London, as well as catching the UK tour whenever it comes to my city, so as you can tell, I'm one of the fans
Blood Brothers NZ
#31
Posted: 3/8/05 at 11:29am
I saw this on Broadway back in the 90s and thought it was the worst show I had ever seen up to that point. My friends and I laughed our asses off and almost got thrown out of the theatre because we couldn't control ourselves - we just didn't find anything about it appealing. And the end was so dumb that we just had to put our hands over our mouths to stop laughing. The only thing I've see which is worse is, maybe, Urban Cowboy.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
#32
Posted: 3/8/05 at 1:34pm
I saw the London Revival Cast with Kiki Dee and Con O'Neal - amazing experience - walked in without a clue and was completely taken by surprise and emotionally overwhelmed. The performance sped by. And yes, we gave it the standing ovation they talk so much about.
I acquired the London Revival Cast, the Original London Cast and the Israeli Cast recordings. Each has it's highlights and finds its way into my player about once a year for a listen.
Some years later I saw the National Tour of the Broadway production with Petula Clark and the Cassidy boys in San Francisco, at, I believe, the Curran. OH! MY! GOSH! It was a completely different and absolutely horrifying experience. It wouldn't end - the tempos were dirge-like and I thought EVerybody was mis-cast.
I believe the property is wonderful - but it is entirely dependent upon the production and cast as to whether it will appeal to an individal's taste.
I acquired the London Revival Cast, the Original London Cast and the Israeli Cast recordings. Each has it's highlights and finds its way into my player about once a year for a listen.
Some years later I saw the National Tour of the Broadway production with Petula Clark and the Cassidy boys in San Francisco, at, I believe, the Curran. OH! MY! GOSH! It was a completely different and absolutely horrifying experience. It wouldn't end - the tempos were dirge-like and I thought EVerybody was mis-cast.
I believe the property is wonderful - but it is entirely dependent upon the production and cast as to whether it will appeal to an individal's taste.
"Love Life. Live." Michael Bennett
#33
Posted: 3/8/05 at 1:36pm
It is quite a good show. I enjoy the recording very much.....I saw a national tour with David Cassidy and Petula Clark (she was greeeeeeeat) several years ago.
BLOOD BROTHERS is for those who enjoys shows that are mostly through sung and rather serious. Though quite tuneful and often playful, it is indeed not a musical comedy.
BLOOD BROTHERS is for those who enjoys shows that are mostly through sung and rather serious. Though quite tuneful and often playful, it is indeed not a musical comedy.
"Blow out the candles Robert and make a wish. Want something, want SOMETHING."
#34
Posted: 3/8/05 at 1:47pm
I saw it twice on Broadway and enjoyed it. First time I saw it with Lawrence who was incredible and passed away too soon.
I have the Dickson recording, the Dee recording and the Lawrence recording. Each has its merits.
I have the Dickson recording, the Dee recording and the Lawrence recording. Each has its merits.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#35
Posted: 3/8/05 at 3:48pm
I SAW BB IN LONDON SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LATE 1980'S. IT IS A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE AND SOOOOO ENTERTAINING. THE MUSIC AND STAGING MIGHT BE A LITTLE THIN, BUT THIS SHOW DOESN'T TRY TO BE ANYTHING THAT IT ISN'T. I THINK IT IS STILL RUNNING IN LONDON AND IS A HUGE CULT-TYPE FAVORITE THERE. DON'T MISS IT IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE IT. IT IS A SWEET STORY ABOUT A LONG-TERM FRIENDSHIP AND WILL EVOKE REAL EMOTIONS. BRING KLEENEX (I'M NOT KIDDING)
#36
Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:55pm
I loved Blood Brothers, it's right up there with The Lariame(sp?) Project. They both stay with you. The music in BB is great. I'd love to see it on Broadway. I only saw High School productions, so I can just imagine how wonderful a professional production would be.
#37
Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:58pm
TheatREgirl - Caps Lock. Turn it off.
*reaches for ibuprofen*
*reaches for ibuprofen*
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#38
Posted: 3/9/05 at 1:37am
Thanks to everyone who chimed in. I'll hopefully catch it when I visit London (for the first time!) this fall -- sounds like a West End establishment! Hopefully it'll still be open then.
And if someone is comparing it to the emotional power of THE LARAMIE PROJECT, well then, I must see it!
And if someone is comparing it to the emotional power of THE LARAMIE PROJECT, well then, I must see it!
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
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