Dream Jukebox Musical — Page 2

I would like to see Fleetwood Mac or Billy Joel, as others have said.

However, I also think the movie "Judy" could be turned into an interesting bio musical. It basically already exists in film format (multiple songs in the movie), now they just have to adapt it to the stage. Did they already do this with Paper Mill's "Chasing Rainbows?" Not sure what that was about other than it was a Judy Garland musical.

I guess it depends on whether you are talking about the juke box musical (JBM) that is about a real person (and includes their songs) or a juke box musical, a la Mamma Mia, that employs the songs of a specific composer with a manufactured plot; or a Moulin Rouge wanna be.

While I loved Mamma Mia and especially Moulin Rouge, I personally would prefer a well-done musical about a specific person, incorporating a better book than we usually get. IMO, a JBM based on the work of a single composer that is not about the composer runs the risk of trying to find a plausible story to wrap around the songs. To my recollection, it has rarely been successful. Is there any example besides Mamma Mia, which IMO was such a big hit because of the sheer joyousness of the music (especially considering when it originally opened) and the perfect trivial plot to support the bubble-gum Abba music (which I generally love),

One of the reasons MR is so successful (at least to me) is that it has a show biz setting, which means that most of the songs do not actually have to do anything with the underlying story. I probably feel that shows employing many composers' work would need to be a show-biz story or an out and out revue (and we know how successful those have been since the 80s) to be successful.

I am sure that people will groan when they see this, but how about a musical about:

-- Judy Garland

-- Al Jolson

-- Frank Sinatra

-- Nat King Cole (there could be some real drama in that one)

-- A musical about all the challenges Lena Horne faced on the way to legend.

It might be possible to craft a bubble-gummy story around Cindy Lauper many of which have the joyousness of the Abba songs.

I do not think a musical based on Judy Collins songs or Joni Mitchell songs would have broad appeal, and that they would be better off in perhaps a large off-Broadway house. Shoot me, but I have always felt there is a certain amount of sameness in their respective songs.

Diana Ross from 1970 - present, once she went solo.

Sammy Davis, Jr. too!

Ahmy said: "I'd love to see one about Celine Dion.."

Me too. And apparently there is something in the works for a musical. From one of the former Cirque creatives. He joined her team back a couple years ago. But I think it could be quite interesting. Especially if done in her quirky style. Almost like a rocket man But it could be touching as well

I am sure that people will groan when they see this, but how about a musical about:

-- Judy Garland

-- Al Jolson

The musical Jolson won the Olivier award for Best New Musical in 1996.

I would love to see My Best Friend's Wedding using songs from the film soundtrack.

To my recollection, it has rarely been successful. Is there any example besides Mamma Mia, which IMO was such a big hit because of the sheer joyousness of the music (especially considering when it originally opened) and the perfect trivial plot to support the bubble-gum Abba music (which I generally love),

Though it was a flop in the US, We Will Rock You ran for 12 years in the West End and has had countless international productions and tours. And though it's slightly little different than what you describe, & Juliet appears to have the makings of a huge hit in London, featuring song by Max Martin, a pop songwriter known for dozens of hit songs performed by numerous famous pop artists and acts. At any rate, Chicago is set to premiere the new JBM featuring the songs of Britney Spears to an original story, Once Upon a One More Time. It's been delayed once already, so I'm curious to see what happens next.

gibsons2 said: "Musical about Madonna would be my dream jukebox. Can't think of an actress for a role like this, mostly because Madonna went through so many different styles and images over her career span. I can only dream...."

As long as it's called "Bitch... I'm Madonna!", I'm in.

^
It's called "& Juliet" and it just received rave reviews in London.