I'm a little confused. Did 'Children of Eden' ever go to Broadway? or was it just an off-Broadway event...?
Why?
Chorus Member Joined: 4/8/06
To my knowledge, it was done in London. The closest it ever got to New York was a production at New Jersey's Papermill Playhouse.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
It was in London and at Papermill Playhouse, those were the two biggest productions of it, there are recordings of both.
I think it is a beautiful show, and every once in awhile, a National Tour is mentioned that may lead to Broadway.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/04
There was a time when Schwartz was rumored to not write another show until Children of Eden got to Bway. thankfully, he got over that, probably with the help of the Papermill production which generated a great recording and numerous productions all over the country. Cost is probably the best guess as to why it won't play Bway. Huge cast.
I would think it could succeed now and make a profit on the good ol' way. you could market it "from the creater of Wicked" which would bring a huge fanbase over.
not to mention, given the heavy religious atmosphere of the culture right now, all you have to do is market the religious properties to tourists and do grass roots campaigns at churches, and you have a sure-fire hit.
Swing Joined: 5/17/06
I love the music from Children of Eden. Too bad it isn't on Broadway.
The score is plain yucky yucky yucky and very corny.
OMG, elphaba had kids?!
Broadway Star Joined: 4/27/05
I have to say, I think you're alone on that, ljay. The papermill version is simply gorgeous.
Umm, there are plenty of people who don't like the score.
It's corny as crap, and as usual all reused melodies. Yes, some songs are catchy, but the majority sounds so damn corny - like an 11 year old wrote the score. Not to mention some of the terrible lyrics, plus random songs at random moments in the show.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/27/05
No need to be snippy! You're entitled to your opinion. However, it is MY opinion that you are being a tad harsh. The lyrics are really innovative and, though parts of the score are reminiscent of Schwart'z other works, it is pretty wonderful. I also think the construction of the score is masterful. John Caird's book is sooo in tune with the score. All I can say is wow.
I've heard so great things about this show from a bunch of different people. I hope to see a full NY run soon.
I'm with you ljay889...I can pick out 3 songs I like, but other than that it's all the same rehashed music. I don't care for the show at all...and I've seen it done 5 times and have only liked 1 production
I think the score and concept is gorgeous.
Send this to Broadway!!!
I listened to the soundtrack for 14 days in a row, 6 hours a day non-stop and then on that Saturday I went and saw my friend in the show. It was amazing. And I still today listen to it. Too bad it's not on Broadway.
Why HASN'T it been on Broadway?!
Another thing - the score is nothing innovative, it's the SAME generic pop crap.
And at times the show is like a cheap shot at Into The Woods. But it can't even come close to ITW.
I just don't know how Schwartz expects to be taken seriously in the Broadway world, when he writes scores like this.
Never heard of it, why are you bringing it up?
Anyway, I will admit there are3-4 songs that strive in the score of COE. Especially SPARK OF CREATION.
Stand-by Joined: 10/26/05
The score to Children of Eden is incredible - the dozens and dozens of different harmonies.
I don't know why anyone would not like the repeated harmonies strewn throughout the score - I think it gives the score some kind of unique flow. I'm in a production of it now, and I LOVE the songs.
There's nothing quite like an awesome Mama on "Ain't It Good"
Children of Eden is a guilty pleasure of mine. I don't think there's much to it... the score is a little to poppy for my taste and kind of bland, with the exception of a few songs. Some of the lyrics are horrendous ("Oh Noah, You go-ah all the way back to the protazoa!" wtf?), and I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to get from the show. Don't get me wrong, I like it - but overall it seems kind of silly and trite. Granted I've never seen it, but I have heard both the original London cast recording as well as the Papermill recording.
Speaking of the two recordings, does anyone else prefer the original London recording? It's definitely flawed, but it's gritter than the Papermill recording, which sounds like a Disney movie to me.
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