HEART OF ROCK & ROLL to open on Broadway this season — Page 3

Although Huey Lewis has a number of very well-known hits, I really, really have doubts about whether the idea of a musical using his music as its sole selling point will actually be a draw. He, as an artist, hasn't really stayed in pop cultural relevance the way some of his contemporaries have.

Sammy232 said: "perfectliar said: "Sammy232 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "I have to think this’ll be critic-proof - likeA Beautiful Noise- and have a solid run."

I don't know. Beautiful noise is solidly boomer crowd age group who are known to be a solid ticket buying crowd. While Huey Lewis was popular he only really had a couple of big hits. Yes, I'm a Gen Xer, so this was my teenage music."

Huey Lewis and the News had twelve Top 10 hits (and another that topped out at #11), including three #1s. Even if you just use the songs that charted that high, you have enough for a full score with reprises and such."

I'm not saying he doesn't have enough songs to fill a score (although truth be told I'm having a hard time naming that many hits, but I believe you). My point was, I don't see this age demo being a big ticket buying group - I'm definitely an outlier amongst my peer group but I was always a "theater kid." In that same time frame there were significantly bigger artists on the scene - some of which we've had broadway shows from current/recent - MJ, Springsteen, David Bryne, and some we haven't, Prince, Bon Jovi, Madonna, all artists that had decades of staying power."

You said he only had a couple of big hits. He had a dozen. That's the only point I'm making, which has nothing to do with what demographic buys tickets or not. I also don't see this being a hit, especially in a season like this, but this is likely just a step in licensing the show to regional and community theatres, where the number of hit songs included really will be what sells it.

While true Huey Lewis had multiple hits I think it is safe to say that most people would be hard pressed to name more than 2.

Also, with a property like this you have to look at the director. No disrespect to Gordon Greenberg but I wouldn't classify him as any producers first pick director for a new Broadway musical. Kinda like why Warren Carlyle gets the shows he gets.

Their early work was a little too new wave for my taste. But when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor.

In '87, Huey released this; Fore!, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip To Be Square". A song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of trends. It's also a personal statement about the band itself.

Call_me_jorge said: "Why do I feel like this will have the same fate as the “Room” play adaptation last season and the “Nerds” musical from 2016?"

Ticket sales have been lacking online.

Broadway Flash said: "Is this the world premier? Nobody’s seen it yet, of course it doesn’t have good sales. Hopefully it is good and gets good reviews, and then everybody will want to see it."

This is not a world premiere production; it played the Old Globe back in 2018.

Broadway Flash said: "I just saw clips from the old Globe production. It looks great! Does anyone know if Matt Doyle will be in it on broadway?"

He’s currently involved with the Frank Sinatra musical, but I’m unsure what that show is doing next since the Birmingham tryout closed. I believe the most recent workshop had Jonah Platt in the Matt Doyle.

truly weird that there is yet to be a cast announcement for this show

Out of everything next season, this is the show that feels like it’s suicide opening this season. A lot of shows don’t have their full funding raised, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of them. The Old Globe has been hurting for a hit.

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "truly weird that there is yet to be a cast announcement for this show"

It’s not super weird- performances aren’t starting till the end of March.

Sounds like an awful show. I’ve bought a balcony seat for Monday, April 22.

I do know a certain former SIX star (+Hamilton) will be starring in this, though!

I'm sorry, but... YAWN.