Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

#1

Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:22am

What are the flops on Broadway that had mass potential, but fell flat. The FIRST one that comes to mine (no one will be surprised, because everyone knows that I'm flat-out-obsessed with this show) is 'Lestat'. What bryan is to Cry-Baby, Jazzy is to Lestat. I just can't get enough of that score. The score is gorgeous and the source material that it's based is very strong, so I feel that the show DESERVES to be reworked. That will never happen, but I can still dream. What are some of your favorite flops that you would love to see new and improved versions of?

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"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas."
-Danmeg's 10 year old son.

#2

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:30am

Grey Gardens, by far.

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I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&. "Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."

#3

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:33am

The Wild Party (LaChiusa)
Amour
A Class Act

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"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body

#4

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:34am

First off, you need to define "flop."

My first thought was SEUSSICAL. But after its Broadway turn, Cathy Rigby tweaked and redid chunks of the show and the 1st Nat'l Tour was SUPERB!!! Then the non-Equity tour occurred and went back to the original Broadway script but completely re-staged it. BUT it's not really a flop because it's one of the most popular regional titles performed today. Still, I would love to see a complete revisioning and reworking, moreso than what Rigby had done, and brought back to Broadway.

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#5

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:37am

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

If done right ,perhaps even Off Broadway ala Tony & Tina's Wedding, it could become a long running show and much more of a success.

#6

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:40am

Prettybelle. I bet if a bunch of the songs were cut people today would understand the show's hilarity and have a great time.

I also loved Brooklyn the Musical, and while I think it deserves a revival, it wouldn't be practical because few else like it or, by my estimation, understand it. :)

Another flop I saw was Dracula. That one does NOT deserve a revival.

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2010

Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)

#7

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:43am

There is only one technical definition of a "flop": a show which closes without returning its investment.

As for non-technical definitions, there are many.

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"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body

#8

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:46am

By flop, I mean a show that was both a financial AND critical flop.

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"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas."
-Danmeg's 10 year old son.

#9

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:48am

I know I'm probably in a minority here but I think with some retweaks and a bit of work Glory Days could've been a pretty good show. I love the actors involved and the score was decent, some lyrics aside. I found it enjoyable, but the plot was weak and if they worked on that it could be good enough for another shot at least an off broadway run.

Also I do wanna say [title of show] should return, but possibly off broadway is more suited for them as well.

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You're always sorry, You're always grateful, You hold her, thinking: "I'm not alone." You're still alone.
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company

#10

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:51am

Taboo!

#11

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 11:54am

By flop, I mean a show that was both a financial AND critical flop.


- Then Grey Gardens doesn't count.

#12

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 12:03pm

Smile.

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"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.

#13

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 12:21pm

"
Another flop I saw was Dracula. That one does NOT deserve a revival."

I'd LOVE to see a re-worked version of DRACULA, the musical - using the European orchestrations and changes, mixed with the great Broadway special effects. Not a perfect show, but some great music in there.


Also:
A Tale of Two Cities
Jekyll & HYDE (Haha well it did flop - critically & Financially on B'way!)

#14

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 12:33pm

Caroline or Change

Passing Strange

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#15

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 12:40pm

Where does this technical definition come from? Not the dictionary... so... I'm curious as to what Broadway technical manual you can find definitions to words such as these...?

To stay on topic... SMILE (!!!!!!!!!!)

kmc

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Jesus saves. I spend.

Updated On: 7/19/09 at 12:40 PM

#16

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 12:52pm

"High Fidelity". I listen to that soundtrack over and over again. Plus the book had some very funny stuff in it as well. It's not quite "Jersey Boys" but it's as good as a lot of shows which have lasted a lot longer.

Also "Rags". This one needs a bit more help, book wise, but the score is terrific.

#17

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 12:57pm

HENRY, SWEET HENRY and SIDE SHOW

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

#18

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 1:18pm

Where does this technical definition come from?

Variety, plus it has been discussed endlessly and makes perfect sense. What people forget is that we define flop/hit by a specific production of a show, but always get offended thinking you are attacking the piece and/or creators.

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#19

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 1:34pm

Oh man, A Tale of Two Cities.

#20

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 1:35pm

CRYBABY for sure.


Btw, I thought Jekyll and hyde recouped? It did run for several seasons.

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Stephen: "Could you grab me a coffee?" Me: "Would you like that with all the colors of the wind?"

#21

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 1:37pm

Jekyll & Hyde closed on Broadway as a flop. All Wildhorn musicals have flopped on Broadway, but the man won't quit!

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#22

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 1:39pm

I still stand by the idea that when Disney starts doing revivals, Tarzan AND Little Mermaid should get second chances.

#23

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 1:43pm

CARRIE,of course ! Now,as one of the most famous musicals of the last century,would be a smash !!!!

#24

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 1:54pm

The Human Comedy, I just got the CD and I'm loving the score. Next year CCM is doing it in their Studio Series and can't wait to see it onstage.

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9/10 - Next To Normal, Ensemble Theatre
9/18 - Brian Stokes Mitchell, Cincy Pop's
9/28 - Death Of A Salesman, Wright State

#25

re: Flops that Deserve a Second Chance

Posted: 7/19/09 at 2:03pm

Lennon

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Yes, but sometimes people have a third deeper layer thats the same as the first. Like pie. Dr. Horrible