FLASHDANCE a no go - Page 2
FLASHDANCE a no go
#25FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:42am
As others have pointed out, I've heard that this show has been COMPLETELY reworked since its horrible run in London. Not only did the London production have a dark quality to it (drugs, death), it was in a poorly locatated venue. But people who went to see it expecting an uplifting experience because of the film were often taken aback by the darkness.
I believe that all of the originally planned tour dates are still in place.
#26FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 11:08am
Also whilst Footloose flopped (ish) on Broadway (it still ran for 777 performances) the rest of the world embraced the Footloose stage show. The Broadway version was a horrid mess that did not get the youthful energy and party feeling of the show. When the show was reworked foe the UK it became a hit (much like Legally Blonde did).
The London/Tour of Footloose did have some dark moments but i would hardly say it was dark, it had a lot of fun dance moments, it just happened to try and create a stronger book with real 'issues' etc, i applaud them for that. Also the venue it played in London is hardly poorly located
#27FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 11:21amThat poorly located venue is where Hairspray played to great acclaim and audience numbers. The venue is fine if the show is right. Its no harder to find than say the New London where Cats and now War Horse plays
#28FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 11:23am
When the show was reworked foe the UK it became a hit (much like Legally Blonde did).
Whahuh?!?! It was a tour that stopped in the West End for 7 months, then later returned to the West End for 4 months. The UK production of Footloose was entirely re-staged. Not really similar to Legally Blonde at all.
But I think RaisedOnMusicals was referencing Flashdance and not Footloose. The Shaftesbury has consistently been known for being in a poor location (though I disagree when compared to some other West End theatres).
#29FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 11:34am
Its no harder to find than say the New London where Cats and now War Horse plays
The first time I went to the Palladium and the Victoria Palace, I thought someone had to be joking. The Cambridge was no easy find, either.
#30FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 12:05pmYes, I was referring to Flashdance and the Shaftesbury.
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#31FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 1:52pm
"Rippedman it's not a 'serious' musical, it's still camp and fun just also has some serious moments. Oh and many people liked the new Carrie, including it would seem many of this years awards panels judging by the many nominations it received."
Just because some audience members liked it, and it got some award nominations does not mean it was a success. Look at Leap of Faith. It got a Tony nom; doesn't mean it was a success.
There have not be any successful 80s movie-turned musicals.
#32FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 2:06pm
There have not be any successful 80s movie-turned musicals.
Hairspray
The Color Purple (the musical was closer to the screenplay than the novel, much more so than Ragtime)
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#33FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 5:27pmOkay, I'll give you HAIRSPRAY, but I know Color Purple is technically an 80s movie, it's not an 80s movie the way the others are.
#34FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 5:30pmGee and all this time I though an '80s movie meant the film was either made and/or about the 80s.
#35FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 5:32pm
Please explain that last comment Rippedman. I don't understand.
And, as far as TCP musical, Matt...the book was SO much more in tune to the novel than the screenplay. The final relatioship of Celie and Mister is truer to the novel than the movie was.
#36FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 5:43pmI read the novel and I've been a HUGE fan of the film since it originally opened. At least 90% of the musical was based on the screenplay. Right down to reenacting the direction of some of the scenes. It's the biggest reason out of many as to why I was disappointed in the musical. What it didn't rip from the screenplay, it barely alluded from the novel. Neither the film nor the musical accurately adapted the novel and one was no more faithful than the other. They just borrowed different things a couple of times. The main difference was nobody was offended by the portrayal of the characters on stage that Spielberg was vilified for in the film, but probably because the vernacular of the novel was softened for the stage when it was more accurately represented in the film.
#37FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 5:59pm
Agree on some of your observations, but not all. I spoke to the creators early on with the project and they were very conscious that the audience would expect "moments" from the movie to be repeated, and had to balance that expectation with the novel's interpretation and their own creative choices.
An issue with adapting a popular, widely seen film as opposed to an obscure one.
Gotta go. The Simpsons is about to start.
#38FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 6:31pm
Mister Matt Footloose HAD to close it's original UK run in London because the venue (the Novello) was booked for something else. The show was playing to sell out audiences and doing very well. The creative team tried for months to move it to another venue but at the time no venues were available.
When it came in the second time to the Playhouse it was only a limited run.
The show has done huge in the UK, the national tours (i believe 5 or 6 of them now) are always very popular. If the original London producers would have had more faith in the show when it went in to London and booked it in to a venue with an open ended availability it would have run much much longer.
#39FLASHDANCE a no go
Posted: 5/10/12 at 8:39pmhttps://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-Bound-FLASHDANCE-to-Hold-Summer-Workshop-20120510
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