Flops that deserve one more day in the sun- Page 4

[Dre2387]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 3:23pm

what about 'Sherry!'? I really liked the story (based on The Man Who Came to Dinner) and some of the songs are pretty good. the world premire cast recording with Nathan Lane and Mike Meyers made in 2000 is pretty good. interesting story about how they thought they had lost the score.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 3:25pm

Raggedy Ann. It had all the makings of a hit, yet I don't know what happened.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 3:26pm

LOLOLOLOL

[bschneid76]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 3:41pm

I would like to see Darling of the Day (I saw a terrific production of it last October at Light Opera Works) and Dear World would be fun to see!!!

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 6:09pm

There wasn't a cast recording of the stage version of "Raggedy Ann" but a lot of the songs came from an animated movie version of it. I do believe that there was a soundtrack of that released. Whether or not it was ever released on CD is another matter entirely.

And to add my two cents worth the the thread:

The Golden Apple

The Baker's Wife

Anyone Can Whistle

[TobiasFinch]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 7:41pm

Flora The Red Menace

The Grass Harp

Side Show

[alwy15]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 8:28pm

RAGS!!!!!!!!!!
i tihnk rags has one of the greatest theater scores ever written. its STUnNING. RAGS ALL THE WAY!!!!

[Michie]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:19pm

If this has already been posted, I apologize. But did you know that Whistle Down the Wind is currently playing in London at The Palace Theatre? Previews from March 15 closes August 12. It might move, I guess but, it has to vacate The Palace so Spamalot can open in September. Tickets to some performances are already available at the Half-Price booth in Leicester Square. So I wouldn't count on it moving. Just thought you might be interested.

[Michie]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:29pm

Martin Guerre- the second version from London that won the Olivier as Best Musical 1997. It had great music, wonderful heartfelt lyrics and it made me cry. What can I say.

[My Name in Lights]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 8:23pm

LENNON, which I still don't consider a flop as far as being entertaining and loaded with talent. Critics killed it, as well as the bias against Yoko. People paid more attention to the bias against her, rather than the wonderfully, talented cast who presented John Lennon's life and music beautifully. Filled with actual events and dialogue from Lennon's life, as well as his music, it was simply dismissed as a jukebox musical,even though the story wasn't made up to go with the music. Ever the storyteller, John's songs just fit so well with his story. This show got better every time I saw it. HOWEVER, if ever given the chance to play again, if necessary to keep the critics at bay, it could be presented as a special event, and absolutely would have to have the same cast. All that talent let go, what a shame. Although it continues to fall on deaf ears, I still can't believe there isn't a soundtrack. I already own John Lennon's CD Imagine, and it doesn't have all of the songs from the show on it and with the same arrangements, so it isn't the same thing.

ALL SHOOK UP is a jukebox musical, but it was wonderful. Also loaded with lots of talent and a really good time at the theatre. Tell me again why it was abruptly closed, and the same weekend as LENNON. That was a sad weekend for Broadway.

TABOO, although not for everyone, was also a very entertaining, albeit different time at the theatre. Loaded with lots of talented performers and a musical score that should have won a Tony, there were poignant moments as well as risque ones. Maybe an off Broadway house would have carried it longer.

DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES was highly entertaining, with lots of wonderful performers in it. Although he is very talented, too bad they paid so much money to Michael Crawford and spent so much on details (that the viewing crowd couldn't even appreciate on the stage) that even with the crowds I saw at the Minskoff, it would probably haven taken forever to recoup the investment. I saw it multiple times and never heard anyone say they didn't like it when it was over. Most people were enjoying the satirical humor. Knocked by critics for its sometimes strange and silly humor, DOTV was actually based on a movie which was a satire. It was supposed to be funny and camp.

ROCKY HORROR was also not for everyone, but what a show!!! It was also at a perfect venue for it...Circle in the Square. Even when the cast was tinkered with a bit (not the narrators, just the cast), replacements were terrific! Much, much better than the movie upon which it was based, RH was funny, sexy and a great night out, especially since besides the story itself and the music, you never knew what kind of surprises were in store.

Sorry for the length, but I feel very strongly about these shows, all of which were not given a chance to succeed for reasons which most of us will never know. Too bad.

There are probably many other shows which deserve a second time around, but will probably never get it. Meanwhile, we have other shows that tourists keep running to see because critics like them...many of these shows could have closed long ago with benefit of tourists.

[Renthead#1]

Posted: 4/17/06 at 8:23pm

The Women in White

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 10:50am

Just had to bump this thread to say Happy Anniversary to RAGGEDY ANN the musical! I'm a few days late, but RAGGEDY ANN opened on Broadway 20 years ago on October 16, 1986. Sadly, it closed on October 19, 1986 after only five performances.

The show, since it was not recorded, is a lost gem and really should be revived at least in concert form. Joe Raposo composed many great songs for this show including "Blue," "Rag Dolly," "Shooting Star," "What Did I Lose?" and "Somewhere."

Unfortunately, many people were denied the opportunity to see this show and to see Ivy Austin's excellent performance as the title character, but hopefully this show will be done in the near future so more people can see how good it really is.


Edit: How appropriate is it that my post is the 86th post on this thread and RAGGEDY ANN opened in 1986! It's a sign that either Encores or the York Theater are considering this show! (I hope)
Updated On: 10/24/06 at 10:50 AM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:01am

I really like Starmites...campy, cheesy Tony Nominated fun! And then I am still waiting for at least a concert of Carrie so the score can get a good recording...Hurry, Harry was fun too, as was In My Life. And Darling of the Day!

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:02am

I saw it, Trace (as you know). Not because I RAN to the theatre to enjoy such a bounty of CULTCHAH... but because one of my best friends was in it.

A travesty... and a tragedy, unfortunately. But you're right about one thing. Ivy Austin was adorable and very "winning" in the part.

(that's as FAR as I'll go with this one on compliments)

The rest was... not so good.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:05am

TRAGEDY ANN!!!

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:05am

Brilliant!

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:09am

Would "Goldilocks" be considered a flop? If so, then I totally vote for it, if not, well, I'll hold out for a Musicals in Mufti production.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:12am

Yes, GOLDILOCKS is a flop.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:18am

Oh! And how could I EVER forget Working (aka one of my all time favorite musicals), I would DIE for a playbill from it,or a poster, or ya know just about anything other than the cast recording. (Yes, I have been in it, and I know it's not the best but meh)

[WhoCouldBeBlue]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:26am

Side Show
A Class Act
CARRIE
Rags
Chess (I think I read somewhere, they're discussing doing a revival.. woot!)

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 11:48am

Parade
Chess (if reworked...I'm not convinced that the book will EVER work)
Ragtime
Mack and Mabel
Martin Guerre
Side Show

For everyone who said Rags--have you seen this show performed?? It has a brilliant score, but both productions I have seen were total messes. The book has a lot of holes in it.

[WhoCouldBeBlue]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 12:06pm

Yup.. I've seen Rags and agree the book needs a major overhaul, BUT.. the score is sooo beautiful, it deserves a better book and to be restaged.

The same needs to be done with CHESS, but the book and lyrics need an overhaul.. but again, the score is some great stuff!

Most of the flops that I mentioned need reworked in some manner to be more successful than they originally were.. but they each have something that is worth bringing them back for.

[jv92]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 1:07pm

People are saying A Little Night Music, Follies, Sunday in the Park and so on. Why? Night Music, I believe recouped. Follies and Sunday in the Park have been hailed as some of the greatest musicals ever.
There are four shows that haven't been revived (or flopped) that deserve a revival: Allegro, No Strings (maybe a concert, or a rewritten book), Golden Boy and The Happy Time.

[popculture37]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 1:51pm

The Baker's Wife
Seussical
A Man of No Importance (mainly because I think "The Streets of Dublin" is one of the most beuatiful songs ever)

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 2:17pm

RAGGEDY ANN will never be revived. Not even at Encores. Not even at Marie's Crisis!