How Would You Fix Your Favorite Flop? — Page 3

With Merrily We Roll Along, I think that they've watered down the end of Frank's story (the beginning of the show) to try and "fix" things. If Frank is happy at the end and the movie is a hit, why go back?

Yes, but in the revised version although the movie is a success, it is "a formula picture" as Frank even admits to Mary. He's not happy at all with where he is: His marriage is a shambles, his son isn't even speaking with him, and his he is no longer writing music, which is the one thing he was good at.

I like many of the changes made for the revised version but wish they had kept the opening and closing graduation scenes from the original.


Another "fabulous flop" -

STEEL PIER has a wonderful score and a fine premise. The book needs tightening and needs to focus more on the three leads and spend less time on the secondary characters (the marathon dancers) and also establish more clearly in the prologue that the pilot is a ghost.

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"produce Chess on broadway with the cast from the royal albert hall concert (except for that 100-member chorus). switch kerry ellis and idina menzel's parts. don't give florence a pocket dress, and remove the "rock" edge."

Don't even bring Idina. And just keep Florence in that pants suit.

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