Interesting Musicals That Never Made It To Broadway — Page 4

I'm glad to see that someone else mentioned "Say Hello to Harvey". I'd forgotten all about it. I also have no idea what the book was like (except that they updated it and had it happen in the present, late 1970's at any rate). I half of the score is terrific and half of it is pure crap. It does have a terrific, show-stopper comedy song for the sister called "Lousy Life" that she sings upon getting home after being mistaked for a patient at the sanitarium. Possibly the song isn't as terrific as I think it is, it could just be that Patricia Routledge did a killer job with it. I'd be interested (if I ever became a millionaire) in reviving it, if I could get Leslie Bricusse to re-write half of it. (And, from what I heard about what went on during "Dr. Doolittle", he wouldn't want to re-write.) He went on to re-write the song and give it to the character of Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper in this musical "Sherlock Holmes".

I don't know how well "Reefer Madness" would do on Broadway. Yes, it would have a young fan base, but the older playgoer might not like it. I saw a first-rate, college production of it and it felt very long. That's a problem with doing a musical version of a cult classic. Every little moment ("Why isn't your baby crying?") gets turned into a song, which leads to a very long evening. It would have done better as a ninety minute, one act.

---

That is too bad about HONK! Didn't it beat out LION KING and MAMMA MIA for the Olivier Award fr Best New Musical?

Strouse's Bojangles was most enjoyable when it did its world premiere in Virginia at the old Barksdale Theater a long while back. I think I saw it for or 5 times during its run.

I'll have to go with Prettybelle. I'ts amazing on record.

Prettybelle's material is very disturbing - I don't see it sitting well with the 2016 audience. I add my voice to Bare - saw a regional production last year and the show is explosive! Can really see it being commercially viable, and if not - perhaps at least a Deaf West production?

Kinda funny to see Sister Act being mentioned here, knowing how successful it ended up being :)

---

I always wished that Minsky's would find it's way here one day

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN directed by Gower Champion (it surpassed the last revival by miles)



LITTLE DANCER (loved the opening number)



CHAPLIN (the Anthony Newley version)



COLLETTE



JEKYLL AND HYDE (the full production that played Seattle before it was pared down to Broadway's chamber musical version)



Shows that didn't make it for good reasons IMO:



SAYONARA



LITTLE PRINCESS



GONE WITH THE WIND (though I do like some of Harold Rome's score)

Zorro

Lord of the Rings

Windy City

The Hired Man

The Baker's Wife

Spend Spend Spend

The Fix

Jerry Springer: The Opera

London Road

Mrs. Henderson Presents

---

Mr Roxy said: "Sayonara
Arthur The Musical
Elmer Gantry
Harold & Maude - would be great Off Broadway
Paper Moon"

Harold and Maude did, in fact, make it TO Broadway - for about three days and four or so performances. Sometime in early 80's. It was a legendary flop.

I would propose "Rebecca" - but hope springs eternal!

I read the first three pages of this thread before I realized this was an old thread!



Jiarooney, Hopefully we can move Here Lies Love into the "Interesting Musicals That Haven't Yet Made It To Broadway" category.

http://www.playbill.com/article/exclusive-revamped-here-lies-love-will-be-tested-in-seattle-with-eye-on-the-future

Toxic Avenger

Somewhere in Time

bare (please produce before EVER doing Spring Awakening again)

Minskys

Roadshow

Love Never Dies