It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
#0It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:24pm
When are they going to revive this? I think it would fit right in with Broadway today. Who would you cast as superman? My first thought is Doug Sills... wrong way to go?
luvWICKED416
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/15/04
#1re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:25pmCheyenne Jackson in spandex.... wow!
#2re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:26pmMatt Cavenaugh!
#3re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:26pmIs the recording any good? I have been tempted on many occasion to pick this up at Barnes and Noble, but always fought the temptation.
#4re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:31pm
Ooo... Matt Cavenaugh. That's a very good idea! Yay munkustrap! 
#5re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:50pmspider - LOVE your icon!
--Aristotle
#6re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:59pm
Thanks, capn. I love it, too. 
Now, if someone would answer my question............
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#7re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 6:18amOne of my favorite shows. It got good reviews but never quite caught on. I would love to see it revived . The CD is very listenable
honeyhoney
Understudy Joined: 11/12/04
#8re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 9:02amI love the CD. Had the chance to direct it at a summer camp 20 years ago. The book is very dated and racist. Would have to have a new book for today's audiences.
#9re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 10:27amActually, it's a perfect role for Kudisch.
WOSQ
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
#10re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 11:24am
Buy it. The score is worth having.
Hal Prince said in his book that the show was current while it was being written but was dated by the time it opened.
There was a revised production at Goodspeed a few seasons ago.
RockyRoad
Leading Actor Joined: 9/4/04
#11re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 1:30pm
It's a fun retro show. The recording is ok..some songs aren't great.
It is a dated book and needs to be changed. They changed the book when they did a revival at Goodspeed back in the 1990's (changing the Asian gymnists to Italians..guess less offensive??!). But it's like Birdie..dated but if done that way can work.
twogaab2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#12re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 3:01pmOut of date be damned. It will be fine as a period piece-don't change it!!! That being said the BIG problem with the show is that the leading role is NOT Superman but Max Menkin (a character that isn't even IN the comic book-written for Jack Cassedy). Come to think of it, THAT would be the role for Mark Kuddich. All in all still a delightful peice.
Marquise
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/1/04
#13re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 7:38pm
This was filmed for ABC-TV in 1975.
Cast (in alphabetical order)
Harvey Lembeck .... Gangster
Michael Lembeck .... Student
Allen Ludden .... Perry White
Kenneth Mars .... Max Mencken
Al Molinaro .... Gangster
Gary Owens .... Narrator (voice)
Loretta Swit .... Sydney
Malachi Throne .... Boss
Lesley Ann Warren .... Lois Lane (as Lesley Warren)
David Wayne .... Dr. Abner Sedgwick
David Wilson .... Superman/Clark Kent
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Book by David Newman and Robert Benton
Based on characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Adapted for Television by Romeo Muller
TRIVIA: David Newman and Robert Benton along with Leslie Newman and Mario Puzo went on to co-write the motion pictures "Superman" and "Superman II".
Charles Strouse went on to score another musical based on a comic strip character: "Annie", based on "Little Orphan Annie".
Lesley Ann Warren tested for the role of "Lois Lane" in the 1978 film "Superman" but lost out to Margot Kidder.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#14re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 7:43pmAh yes, this was one of Loretta Swit's shining moments! Bring her back to Broadway. She is the only hope of reviving the failing art of the musical.
JamieMcG
Broadway Star Joined: 6/12/03
#15re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 7:55pmI actually did the show when I was 13. I have really fond memories of it. The score is a blast-very VERY 60's...and Linda Lavin on the recording is off the hook with "You've Got Possibilities," check it out!
#16re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!
Posted: 11/17/04 at 10:07pmI have the CD. It's pretty good, although I can see why the show is hardly ever done.
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