Hee Haw Musical Coming Next Season?

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 3:42pm

Riedel thinks so!

BWW Article: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/HEE-HAW-Musical-Heading-to-Broadway-in-2015-20140110
Riedel Post: https://nypost.com/2014/01/10/hee-haw-is-bound-for-broadway/

Thoughts?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 4:43pm

Let me first say that I like Hee-Haw. The jokes were always corny but it had a simplicity about it that was nice. It was mindless entertainment that took you away from politics, the world, and life in general.

That being said, I can't even conceive how they would do a show like this or who their target audience is. I could see it working in an off-Broadway theater as a "send-up" much like the Brady Bunch show in the 90s. But I don't see it working on Broadway.

Hee-Haw was a variety show. It moved from song to comedy sketch to special guest star. What made it so fun was the tempo of the show. They had all these silly 15 second gags throughout the show. How's that going to work on stage?

In addition, will this show be licensing the weekly gags that Hee Haw had? You really can't do the show without the trademark song about the two guys who have lost their wives. This song/sketch was done every week often with the week's guest star. "Where oh where are you tonight, why did you leave me here all alone..."

Are they changing the material of the show? Because what was acceptable in the 1960s certainly isn't acceptable now. They often had jokes that put women in a bad light. And there were also fat jokes involving Lulu Roman.

Finally, many of the regulars are so iconic. Minnie Pearl has always been a difficult persona to capture. I've seen many people (both women and men) attempt her and fail. Their was an ease that Sarah Cannon had playing the role that many can't grasp.

So it will be interesting to see how this turns out.


Where Oh Where Are You Tonight

Updated On: 1/10/14 at 04:43 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 4:57pm

This would make the critics treatment of Wildhorn look like a day in the park.Riedel as a fan amazes me.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 5:07pm

They should put the money into a Lil Abner or Big River revival.

And Reidel as a fan suprises me too.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 6:18pm

The Great White Opry!

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 7:19pm

Riedel's enthusiasm surprised me as well. Apparently there is actually an original story here. I love my Broadway, and I love my country music. I've always wondered what a combination of the two would be like. Maybe this could work…?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 7:49pm

Ditto for Lil Abner revival ASAP.

Updated On: 1/10/14 at 07:49 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 8:30pm

Hopefully they will include the dancing bikini wearing pigs. That always made me giggle when I was a small kid. And lets not forget about Junior Samples and is"articulate" line reading.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 8:41pm

Might work as a musical if they make it akin (pun intended) to SUGAR BABIES. But on Broadway...I don't know.

[jpbran]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 10:42pm

Alice Ripley did a stint on Hee Haw; not sure how many episodes (she tweeted a clip recently) I'm sure she'd be first in line to audition. :)

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 1/10/14 at 11:26pm

Well if it does come to Broadway, I'll be first in line to pick up a pair of $275 premium seats because that's exactly what I would want to spend $550 on... Hee-Haw.

The quote from one of the producers referenced in the article should have read "I haven't laughed so hard since I put my hand under my armpit and made a fake fart noise in an elevator".

Updated On: 1/10/14 at 11:26 PM

[bobs3]

Posted: 1/11/14 at 12:09am

This happens all the time. A wannabe producer hires an expensive publicist and gets his dream show all over the news in an attempt to raise money. Anyone remember THE LOVE BOAT: THE MUSICAL that had Gavin MacLeod attached to it?

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 1/11/14 at 9:02am

Well...if Merman can appear on Hee Haw, I guess Hee Haw can appear on Merman's turf
Ethel Merman Goes Country

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/11/14 at 9:06am

All I can say is:

"Gloom despair and agony on me, deep dark depression, excessive misery...."