"Finian's Rainbow," Failed B'way Revival?

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 3:28am

I recently purchased a windowcard from the Playhouse Square Center giftshop in Cleveland for the national touring production of "Finian's Rainbow" starring Denis O'Hare, among others. On the poster though, it says that this is the national tour prior to Broadway.

Anyone know what the story is, because this show obviously never opened in New York?

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 4:13am

I recently read the libretto. The book would need major reworking. It has some pretty inexcusable stereotypes though it was considered one of the most provocative looks at race relations in its day. It also has one of the great Broadway scores. "Old Devil Moon", "How Are Things in Glocca Mora", "When the Idle Poor Become the Idle RIch" among many other standards.

The plot involves irish stereotypes, socialist stereotypes, and a politician being turned black as punishment for being racist. (Blackface) The show's humor wouldn't go over well today.

The Irish Rep had a successful concert production a few years ago and that is probably how the show will live on rather than in fully staged productions.

Updated On: 3/14/08 at 04:13 AM

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 4:22am

And after a little investigation I found these. The tour was back in 1999 before the Irish Rep concert production.

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117914940.html?categoryid=33&cs=1


'I did Finian's Rainbow. I always refer to it as "Finian's F&*^ing Rainbow" because I hated it so much.' Denis O'Hare
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=511600

Updated On: 3/14/08 at 04:22 AM

Posted: 3/14/08 at 4:32am

But the Irish Rep producion was well-reviewed and did not update the book. Maybe Broadway is ready for another racist sterotype, psuedo socialist musical?

The score is great- truly one of the best.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 8:05am

FINIAN"S RAINBOW was a big hit in 1947. Then it faded. A proposed animated film (featuring the voices of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstring) never got fully financed and was shelved. The 1960 City Center revival was well received and transferred to Broadway where it was shuttered by the 1960 actors strike. (RCA's cast album is a joy.) The 1968 film is very faithful but comes across as one of those overlong lumbering big screen musicals of the 1960s. If it were 1/2 hour shorter it would be a lot better.

Posted: 3/14/08 at 9:54am

OOooh, no, the film isn't faithful at all- it includes a bizarre tobacco growing sub plot. It was directed by Francis Ford Coppola however and perfectly cast Fred Astaire as Finian.

There is also a great album that Frank Sinatra put together under the "Reprise Musical Theatre Company" name with Ol' Blue Eyes and some of his friends swinging the score. Not really a faithful adaptation but it works.

[Jon]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 11:13am

The biggest flaw in the movie is that it was updated to the present (196. The setting HAS TO be kept as originally written - late 1940's/ early 50's - BEFORE the civil rights movement took hold in the South.

As far as the race-changing "blackface" problem, there is a simple solution. Have the role of the Senator played by two actors - one white, one black - of similar builds. Then, instead of a white actor in blackface, you have a black actor getting to play a man who, in spite of his skin color, is still an obnoxious bigot.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 12:42pm

I love this show. One of my all time favorites. I was so looking forward to the revival.

I remember at the time Peter Stone was revising the book and he was asked if the was toning down anything. His replied that if anything he was toning "up" the original book's more political and race-relation aspects.

I think it is a beautiful piece. Irish Rep's piano version was a joy.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 12:50pm

So did it just not do well out of town? Why did the revival never come into New York?

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 12:53pm

My guess is mediocre reviews and bad business.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 12:32pm

I saw a production at Westport County Playhouse, starring Malcolm Gets and Melissa Errico. I absolutely loved it. I agree that it is a fantastic Broadway score -- "When I can't be near the one I love," "how are things in gloca morra," and of course, "look to the rainbow."

I would love to see a revival of this, though I doubt it would happen.

Updated On: 3/15/08 at 12:32 PM

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 1:57pm

I think the song is titled "Look To The Rainbow", not "Follow the Rainbow". It is one of the finest showtunes ever written, IMO.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 4:46pm

Ack, it is, I need to work on more sleep. sorry about that.