Copacabana
Copacabana
Copacabana#0
Posted: 4/19/05 at 1:37pm
My college is currently putting this show on, and I just wanted to express my personal thoughts on it.
As I understand, it closed before it reached Broadway. It's totally understandable; the script is shoddy. In fact, "Footloose" immediately comes to mind. But as with "Footloose", the score is what makes it...
Rarely have I heard a musical theatre score that was so energetic and provided so many showstoppers, such as "Just Arrived", "I Gotta Be Bad", "Copa Girl", "El Bravo", "Ay Carumba", "Sweet Heaven", the title song, and especially "Dancin' Fool". Even the ballads, "This Can't Be Real" and "Who Needs to Dream", are beautifully written.
Updated On: 4/19/05 at 01:37 PM
re: Copacabana#3
Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:05am
The Broadway bound tour stopped in Toronto for a week in the summer of 2001.
The show was a mess. The book and characters make no sense. (Gavin McLeod of Tv's Mary Tyler Moore show was totally wasted in a thankless role!) For a tour the performances were terribly amateur.
Unlike some of the others here, I did not find the score a compensation. Most of the songs seemed like pale shadows of Barry Manilow’s earlier hits, and the lyrics were bland and since the script provided cardboard characters and a confused narrative, the lyrics had no story or characters to develop.
So, my question is WHY is your college wasting time on junk like this when there are many MANY better shows that would help develop the singing, acting and dancing skills of the students.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
re: Copacabana#4
Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:33am
I saw this at AMT San Jose back in 1999 or 2000. Franc D'Ambrosio was perfect in the role of Tony, which Manilow apparently handpicked him for. I forget who played Lola but she was also excellent- and Phil Hernandez was great, but overqualified, in the Rico part.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the music, finally deciding to unwrap the London cast recording I had gotten on eBay but been avoiding. As a result, I actually fell into a high school "Manilow phase" for a few months, which- in retrospect- went a little too far. That's in the past now, but I still love to give this album a listen every now and then. Another thing about the stage production is that the book is horrible.
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
re: Copacabana#5
Posted: 4/20/05 at 5:20ami saw this show in london in 95 and granted it not the best show, but ya know what IT'S FUN. the audence loves it,
re: Copacabana#6
Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:56am
I liked Copcabana I was in it once and I LOVED "Man Wanted" and "Who needs to dream" (hoping that is the actually title).
re: Copacabana#7
Posted: 4/20/05 at 11:03amI did a production of this last summer, playing Sam. Its a fun show, nothing special. Yes, the book is corny, and the music isn't remarkable, but it's fun.
re: Copacabana#8
Posted: 4/20/05 at 11:42am
"So, my question is WHY is your college wasting time on junk like this when there are many MANY better shows that would help develop the singing, acting and dancing skills of the students."
Last semester, our theater advisor (who was fired during Christmas break) bought the rights and, due to contract obligations, our current advisor HAD to direct this show. We all wanted to do "Into the Woods", but we're pushing that one until the fall.
I don't know about the acting part, but the singers and dancers in this show are getting the workout of their lives.
PS - The show actually helped our theatre department a LOT. Over 700 hundred advance tickets were sold, and still going.
Updated On: 4/20/05 at 11:42 AM
re: Copacabana#9
Posted: 4/20/05 at 12:29pmWe sold out all of our performances too. Most everyone knows the song, and, if you use Barry Manilow's name (which MTI allows you to do), you will sell a lot of tickets.
re: Copacabana#10
Posted: 4/20/05 at 1:45pm
I suppose students could learn why the show is weak. Especially when compared to a well-made musical (CABARET as an example.) Problem is, students would put so much work into the show then have all their friends and family come and tell them how fabulous it was, they won't stop and consider if it really is a good show or not - and why.
Do actors in Broadway turkeys ever realize how bad their shows really are?
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
re: Copacabana#11
Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:31pm
frontrow-
At first, I hated this show with a passion, and so did the rest of the cast. It was so cheesy and so... not good. But once we got more and more into it, we all found ourselves actually enjoying it. I'll be the first to say that it has a poor script but I think that the music is fun and energetic enough to make the whole thing worthwhile. We have a great production on our hands (we open tonight, in fact), and I know that the audience will have a good time.
Updated On: 4/20/05 at 02:31 PM
Broadway Star Joined: 5/22/04
re: Copacabana#12
Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:54pmI've played Tony in COPACABANA a few years ago... it is a fun show to do. Not extremely challenging, but it gives that easy, laid back feel for the performers and audience alike (ala Manilow's style). And yes, the show does sell extremely well- our production broke the previous box office records (and caused the group to 'up' ticket prices since then).
Broadway Star Joined: 5/22/04
re: Copacabana#13
Posted: 4/20/05 at 2:54pmI've played Tony in COPACABANA a few years ago... it is a fun show to do. Not extremely challenging, but it gives that easy, laid back feel for the performers and audience alike (ala Manilow's style). And yes, the show does sell extremely well- our production broke the previous box office records (and caused the group to 'up' ticket prices since then).
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