Flops that Deserve a Second Chance- Page 4

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 8:24pm

The problem with revivals is that fans of the original want them to to look and sound exactly like the original. When they don't fans are disappointed and quickly spread the bad news.

Only an handful of revivals have ever proven to be even more successful than the originals:

PAL JOEY -the original 1940 production - contrary to myth - was a hit but not a blockbuster. The 1952 revival had a much longer and more profitable run.

THREEPENNY OPERA - the original American production in 1933 was a 12 performance flop. The 1954 off-Broadway revival was huge hit running 6 years, but 3 subsequent Broadway productions have all failed.

NO NO NANETTE - a big hit in 1925 and an even bigger hit in 1971

CANDIDE - a legendary flop in 1956. With a new book it was more popular in 1973 but still didn't make any money. The 1997 production also failed but coming after several City Opera stagings it seemed redundant.

GYPSY - None of the subsequent revival have lasted nearly as long as the original, but only the last two lost money.

CHICAGO - a 2-year run in 1976 but a smash in 1996 (and STILL going)

CABARET - a hit in 1966, a flop in 1987 and an even bigger hit in 1998.

Then's there's PETER PAN - a hit in 1954 (The TV deal limited the run but paid off the show), a long running hit in 1979 and then had several successful limited engagements in the 90's.

Any others where the revivals either had longer runs or better financial success?

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 9:02pm

I wish Encores! or Mufti would do Molly. It's got a really beautiful score, and with the right leading lady could be a total goldmine.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 9:47pm

I would say DOTV but since the only place that it has played that it was UNSUCCESSFUL was Broadway, and that version was nearly a completely different show with some of the same songs, it really isn't a flop in the traditional sense. But it is the most expensive flop in Broadway history according to financial records so I guess it counts.

CARRIE, SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, THE RINK, WITCHES OF EASTWICK would round out my list of the Top 5 shows deserving re-evaluation from what I've seen mentioned in this thread so far.

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE deserves re-evaluation more than any other musical, I think. It's a brilliant, brilliant show... even as is.

P

[geniuswithADD]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 9:52pm

I love Legally Blonde. The music is upbeat, the dancing is phenomenal, and the musical is so much better than the movie.

I just wish the people going to see it weren't all dimwitted blondes who think it'll be just like the movie. Soooo many girls in skimpy dresses were there when I saw it. The girls next to me left at intermission. Sorry girls, but do research before you assume a show is going to be the same. Ugh.

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 11:07pm

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. A fabulous show that was done in by all the publicity hype attached to the inferior Spamalot. The problem is that they'll never get this incredible cast again.

[broadway122]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 11:18pm

The Pirate Queen. I LOVE the score so much, even though it has a lot of Les Miz sounding moments.

[rjjn]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 3:06am

A few months ago, I would have said Ragtime, which by the technical definition flopped. I really hope the upcoming revival will get it the praise and financial success it missed 11 years ago.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 1:02pm

The original production of FLOWER DRUM SONG -1958- was a financial and critical success but still lasted only 602 performances at the St. James. I loved it and did not find it condescending. I would like to see it without all of the changes that the "revisal" had. I never get tired of the beautiful Rodgers and Hammerstein score.

The flop OH CAPTAIN! -1958- received mixed reviews, including 3 raves, but lasted only 192 performances. It has a very good score and a likable book. Perhaps ENCORES! could do it. It deserves some kind of revival.

Updated On: 7/21/09 at 01:02 PM

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 1:05pm

A Tale of Two Cities, obviously comes to my mind first, and The Pirate Queen

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 10:42am

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 11:13am

Parade.

[zepka102]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 11:23am

I'm actually going to say Tarzan.

I still feel that the opening of the show is one of the best scenes I have ever seen on Broadway. I think that if that amount of creativity (for lack of better terms) could have continued throughout the whole show, it could have been a hit. The set worked only when there were variations, such as the treetop scene, or when Tarzan took Jane and her father to the apes. The costumes didn't bother me as much as it did others. I felt the actors had the movements of apes down, and that's what came through the most. I do think, though, that it could have worked out better than it actually did.

[garyl]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:04pm

All American
It's a Bird a Plane It's Superman
Golden Boy
Dance a Little Closer
Nick and Nora
Rags
Henry Sweet Henry

[Kingtito132]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:49pm

While I know very little about it's life on Bway (since it was so short lived,) I would love to see a new version of "State Fair"

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 1:09pm

Caroline, or Change
Passing Strange (although it got great reviews, just never found its audience)
A Tale of Two Cities

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 1:39pm

I'm with Pgenre - I think that DOTV, in its original form, pre-Broadway, deserves a chance on the English stage. An official translation of the German version was in fact recently conducted by one of the fastest-working quality writers in the industry, and I would like to see it on an English stage soon.