"Here's Love" vs. "Miracle on 34th St" Musical?

[Phantom487]

Posted: 9/5/12 at 12:35pm

Is "Here's Love" that same as the show MTI licenses under the title "Miracle on 34th Street The Musical"??

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 9/5/12 at 1:31pm

In a word: "yes."

[North2009]

Posted: 9/6/12 at 7:34am

Any changes to libretto or score?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 9/6/12 at 7:45am

Judging by the synopsis at MTI's website compared with the extant song list for Here's Love, it appears to be the same show with a more marketable title (presumably MTI worked out a deal with Fox?). Never having had experience with the show myself, however, I wouldn't presume to base your info simply on what I've told you. Do the research.

[North2009]

Posted: 9/6/12 at 8:29am

From what I can gather after only 1 cup of coffee is that there are two versions floating around out there and if you have the knowledge you also have a choice. Version one is the original version as seen on broadway, version two is a major rewrite produced by the Goodspeed Opera House (opening number cut, ballets cut, a few numbers cut and show reset to year of film). When I get a copy of the revised version I will send on info.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 9/6/12 at 8:30am

Yes, it is the exact same show with a different title. It was published under the title IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS before they changed it again.

EDIT: I did not know about the revised version, but that is not available from MTI for licensing. The one you get from MTI when you license the show is the original HERE'S LOVE. 14 minute dream ballet and all.

Updated On: 9/6/12 at 08:30 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/6/12 at 8:52am

The main problem with the show is the story turning on a court case. Unlike, say, DOLLY and even THE PRODUCERS, which feature 11th hour appearances before judges, HERE'S LOVE has to burn through a lot of plot centered about legal action. It just doesn't sing as second act material. Too bad, because the source material has emotional underpinnings to make it wonderful.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 9/7/12 at 7:40pm

Without the ballets, there's barely a show there. I saw a very good community production put on largely by a dance school, and that was really all I remembered about it--to say the show is pleasant but slight is putting it mildly. I assume Michael Kidd's choreography and the dance ensemble (including Michael Bennett and many of his future friends like Lee) was the highliught of the original as well. Oddly, the original director was Norman Jewison of all people, but he was booted out of town--before he was a celebrated film director.

(Oh I also remember finding it neat that they used the earlier Wilson song, It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas in it).