I miss the old-fashioned Broadway musical...

I am watching Broadway's Lost Treasures and I just realized how true that title is. Whatever happened to shows like 42nd Street? I know there is a current revival and it is wonderful!

Great music, amazing performers that look like they are having so much fun, exciting dancing. Don't get me wrong, I love the modern musical, but we need shows like these to keep Broadway alive.

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I dunno; if I could go through the next 10 years and never see another "Oklahoma" or "42nd Street"-type show, I'd be a happy theatre goer. Times are changing and we need shows to represent the current situations we face. Composers like Sondheim and Finn (especially) show us that theatre doesn't have to be bubble gum. It can be gutsier than that.

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I totally agree.

"Don't get me wrong, I love the modern musical."

I just miss these shows, that is all.

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I don't consider stagings of earlier film musicals to be REAL Broadway musicals.

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Sorry about my inaccuracy. Anyways, no need to doubt. I am actually an avid theatergoer.
Renee :)

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You won't miss them for long. The fact is that, increasingly, Broadway is relying on revivals to ensure business. The risks associated with producing new material are great. It costs a lot of money to bring a new Musical to B'way these days, and with no guarantee of what the critics will say (which, face it, is a big factor in how long a new show stays open), it is easier to remount a familiar title that might have a chance of recouping its investment.

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"42nd St.- yeah its on broadway but with a 5/6 year run"

5-6 year run is nothing to sniff at. And it will probably recoup. Noth of which are rather rare and admirable accomplishments.

"Gypsy-nuff said"

Anyone who says "'nuff said" usually doesn't say enough. Gypsy has never done well. Not one Broadway production of Gypsy has EVER done well. This is nothing new.

"Wonderful Town- a show that doesn't deserve the crappy attendance its getting. Not of mention the bashers."

A matter of opinion, of course, but perhaps it would have fared better had it been fully staged. The "concert" staging was a misfire on this show. This is definitely your old-fashioned musical comedy that should have had the fun, splashy sets and scenery. Removing them just waters down the dated book and doesn't give the audience much to look at. Unlike Chicago, there was no concept involved. Merely a show with missing sets and often missing leads. If I paid full price, I would probably feel ripped off.

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* bowing down before PleaseChangeMe *

Not sure how Harspray qualifies as "crap".

GOOD book - yes
GOOD music - yes
GOOD all-around - yes

While the original Gypsy ran almost two years and is definitely well-respected, it was not considered a "success". Out of four Broadway productions, that was the longest run. The Weissler revival, while winning two Tonys, and running almost two years as well clocked in fewer performances at 476.

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Updated On: 9/27/04 at 12:32 PM

Hairspray's book is easily it's weakest link, it is deeply flawed and I personally don't think it qualifies as good.

But Gypsy doesn't have a weak link. And saying that a production of Gypsy has never done well is insane. I can't believe you're calling a 476 performance run not doing well. Especially as when Tyne Daly was in the role, it was VERY popular.

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borstal, people have to be willing to see the new stuff... not these jukebox shows, or american-idol type belty music that sounds just like everything else on top-40... go off- and off-off-broadway for the good stuff! and inexpensive, too!

LOL-when I read this thread topic, I got "Old Fashion Love Story" from The Wild Party in my head...
A Chorus Line-would that be considered old-fashioned? I know it broke a lot of ground, but I just think of it as THE classic. Maybe it's because it's the first Cast Recording I ever purchased.

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I thought Ragtime is the closest to an old fashioned musical from the past 5-10 years. As one can see, it didnt last. People want spectacle now and want to get their money's worth.