Blood Brothers- Page 2

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 9:45am

Stephanie Lawrence was amazing! She broke my heart.

[Jimmcf]

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).

[musical medea]

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.

[Mister Matt]

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.

[Eastwickian]

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

[redhotinnyc2]

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.

[OtherDaryl]

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.

[WISHIHADATONY]

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.

[Gothampc]

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.

[THEATERGIRL]

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)

[KJP]

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.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/8/05 at 5:58pm

TheatREgirl - Caps Lock. Turn it off.

*reaches for ibuprofen*

[BlueWizard]

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!