How would Frozen do on Broadway?
How would Frozen do on Broadway?
jm10112
Chorus Member Joined: 5/16/14
#1How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/7/14 at 9:53pmWhat kind if fanbase would it have? Would it be successful? I personally don't like Frozen but I want to know what you guys think?
#2How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/7/14 at 10:30pm
It really depends. They'll need to do major rewrites (both script and score) in order for it to do well in New York.
Disney has already made mediocre theme parks shows surrounding it and the On Ice tour. This much exposure can be a blessing and a curse. I can easily see people over the hype by the time it comes to fruition.
Not to mention the music isn't near as great as some of their previous works. I really enjoyed Frozen but couldn't help but laugh at myself after watching Tangled and realizing how much better it was. (that's just me)
I'd be interested if they did changes to it like the recent R&H Cinderella production. Keeping initial story intact while still creating fresh environments and designs, etc.
jimmycurry01
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/05
#3How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/7/14 at 11:00pm
"but the love/attention for it died down quickly."
Come again? Do they not have Trick or Treaters where you are from? I counted 10 Annas and 15 Elsas last Friday night. The costumes were sold out everywhere. I would say that the love/attention for it is still quite great.
#4How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/7/14 at 11:03pm
The love for it died down quickly?
They reported selling 3 million Frozen dresses for Halloween amidst shortages... And those are just the Disney licensed dresses, not the zillion knock-off dresses online, plus homemade versions people shared online. (The gay dads group and other parents groups on Facebook were full of them.) The insane popularity has definitely resulted in some backlash, but lots of love is still there.
#5How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/7/14 at 11:22pm
Well, please keep in mind that Disney's two big flops on Broadway were also not particularly well-received by the critics nor much of the fanbase.
I think that as long as they don't try to repeat the same formula they did so successfully with The Lion King by bringing in these highbrow theatre artists like Bob Crowley (Tarzan) or Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid), and actually go for a more traditional theatre direct as they did with Jeff Calhoun (Newsies) and Casey Nicholaw (Aladdin), then they should be on the right track.
Updated On: 11/7/14 at 11:22 PM
#6How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:14am
I think initially the musical will do well, but I couldn't see it having a long life on Broadway. It's a "novelty" musical in the sense that people aren't going to be too serious about seeing it. The fan base will mostly be children. At the moment, it's a hot topic, but producers will also have to take into account that the musical version fit for Broadway will take years...kids have growing tastes and interests. The show is cute on ice...well...because...self explanatory, but the stage is a whole different world.The movie is visually stunning, and they need to bring across the same wow effect.
If they really full out invest and develop something innovative, they could do really well, but if not, I expect it to take the path of The Little Mermaid. It really all depends on future demand.
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#7How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:26am
"The film was a hit with children but the love/attention for it died down quickly."
Frozen is still huge with children everywhere. Also, if you watch Once Upon a Time you should know they have turned into "Frozen -The TV Show" this year.
I didn't like Frozen when I saw it the one time, and is something I would never see again. What an ordinarily, bleh movie. As Broadwaydreaming said, it's a "novelty" musical.
#8How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:13amI'm less interested in how it would do and more interested in how they would do it. I know there are some creative geniuses out there but how will they do a singing and dancing snowman without it looking hokey? And "Let it Go" is so thrilling in the film largely thanks to all the magic ice sculpting. I can envision scenery transforming and sliding in from all directions but I can't see that maching the level of excitement that the film generates with that sequence. The creative team will be faced with some challenges.
chewy5000
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/09
#9How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:29amThe reception would probably be merely lukewarm.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#10How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:31am
"The film was a hit with children but the love/attention for it died down quickly."
85% of girl trick or treaters at my door were dressed in Frozen outfits.
brldisteach2
Stand-by Joined: 11/28/11
#11How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 11:18am
As long as they do it well, like Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Mary Poppins, and Newsies, I believe it could have a long life on Broadway. It would also be produced a lot regionally after. Yes, there will be technical challenges. It just depends on how they handle them. I know many many people didn't think Lion King had a chance to succeed before it became such a big hit.
As far as the audience being only little girls, I don't agree. This movie was not JUST popular with little girls. It was popular with a lot of adults and even boys too. I work at a school and even the 8th grade boys and girls were excited about the movie.
There has been backlash, but the movie and characters are still popular.
I am looking forward to seeing what they do with the show. I don't really think "changing tastes" is going to be a factor. Lion King is still popular 20 years after the film came out, not to mention Mary Poppins 50 years after...
Baileyboo
Stand-by Joined: 7/28/09
#12How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 11:29amWhen the term "eagerly awaited" was coined, it had a picture of Frozen next to it. This show will go on sale 12-18 months in advance, and will be close to 100% sold out before a note of it is heard on a stage. Whether it is good or not will determine whether its another Lion King or a Little Mermaid, but it will have the largest advance sale Broadway has ever seen.
JohnyBroadway
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/12
#13How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 11:38amWith the Lopezes's part of the creative team I wouldn't be surprised if they tapped in Nicholaw or Jason Moore to direct. Schumacher has said they are already looking at directors.
#14How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:17pm
"What kind if fanbase would it have?"
10 year old girls.
"Would it be successful?"
For a few months.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#15How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:28pm
A few months? Really? It'll likely run AT LEAST a year or two, and maybe as many as 5 years. Of course, we have no idea if it will be any good -- and it will be several years before it makes its debut.
It has the potential to have a HUGE fan base, it will appeal to many of the people that saw and fell in love with the film. The movie didn't only snag 10 year olds.
Personally, while I enjoyed the film, I have no desire to see a stage version of it. But, I can imagine my students putting it high on their list of shows to see the year it finally opens.
sctrojan65
Featured Actor Joined: 10/24/14
#16How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:43pm
Glad to know I'm not alone. Never really got into this movie. And I'm a Disney fan.
I agree with the "novelty" musical thing. It would be popular, just because. You'd get a lot of kids who want to see it, and it would provide a nice night out for parents who are looking for a kid-friendly musical. Something Disney has done well.
I was in NYC over the summer and saw Aladdin. It was a great show, but I found myself thinking that it should be. The story was already laid out. Disney has a gazillion dollars to have the best costumes, sets, etc.
The one I am really interested in though is Hunchback, which I saw on Thursday in La Jolla. Disney is left off the cover of the program, though it's their musical off which the play is based.
It was dark, and different than anything they have done thus far. It still needs some tweaks, but I enjoyed it.
Will be interested to see if it makes to Broadway, and then see how it fares if it does.
For now though, Frozen, as a movie, remains a "meh" with me also. And even a little bit of a "bleh." I'm just not sure I could get into seeing it on Broadway.
My opinion only though.
#17How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:45pm
"A few months? Really? It'll likely run AT LEAST a year or two, and maybe as many as 5 years."
"Yes, his point precisely. Why even discuss the Tony Awards for THIS show, when it's so far away with an entire season still unfolding. I truly hate Tony talk before all shows have opened in the current season, yet alone the future seasons. "
.......
#18How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:55pmI've never seen this movie, other than a few clips, but the fan base is much larger than 10 year old girls. I know plenty of college students, boys and girls alike, who are obsessed with this movie. Quality aside, this will sell enormously well when it's actually announced.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#19How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:07pm
Problem with being disagreed with? This question specifically dealt WITH the future of it.
#20How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:14pmNope I have no problem with it. If you want to believe it will run 5 years then that is your business. Who am I to stop you?
#21How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:27pm
"With the Lopezes's part of the creative team I wouldn't be surprised if they tapped in Nicholaw or Jason Moore to direct. Schumacher has said they are already looking at directors."
I've said it once, and I'll say it again, I think Diane Paulus should direct it!
jm10112
Chorus Member Joined: 5/16/14
Starship
Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
#23How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/8/14 at 2:34pm
I'm a big Disney fan and enjoyed Frozen for what it is. An animated holiday film meant to appeal to younger audiences. The fan base definitely isn't just 10 year old girls, but it would be unfair to say that least 85% of the fan base AREN'T little girls.
With that being said, it would most likely be an entirely different production if it went to Broadway. The musical only has several songs in it which means over a dozen would be added. To be a full length show, a lot of new material would have to be added so it definitely will be very very different than the animated film.
In my opinion, in 3-5 years when this finally comes to fruition, I'm sure with Disney's named attached, it'll be just as popular as their other shows. I certainly would be shocked though if it still had the same hype as it does now. In 3-5 years, the majority of the fanbase will have grown up and by then we will have had Despicable Me 3, Ice Age 4(5?), the Minion movie, Toy Story 4, and all of Pixar's films to steal away the attention.
Disney's best bet with a live adaptation of the film was the ice show which is bringing in a great profit since it was able to be quickly mounted and sent out everywhere. But, this IS America and people's obsessions change every few months. I'm sure when Frozen comes to Broadway it will be a beautiful production, but I don't think it'll be selling out a year in advance or be successful only because it's "Frozen."
Updated On: 11/8/14 at 02:34 PM
Fantod
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/3/14
#24How would Frozen do on Broadway?
Posted: 11/9/14 at 2:54amIt's the fifth highest grossing movie of all time. A musical version will do great.
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