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It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!

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#1

It'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?

It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!

Updated On: 11/16/04 at 11:24 PM

#4

re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!

Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:26pm

Is the recording any good? I have been tempted on many occasion to pick this up at Barnes and Noble, but always fought the temptation.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#6

re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!

Posted: 11/16/04 at 11:50pm

spider - LOVE your icon!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#11

re: 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.

"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher
#12

re: 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.
#13

re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!

Posted: 11/17/04 at 3:01pm

Out of date be damned.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.
TWOGAAB "A Class Act" will never die!

Updated On: 11/17/04 at 03:01 PM

#14

re: 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.







#15

re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!

Posted: 11/17/04 at 7:43pm

Ah 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.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#16

re: It's a bird... it's a plane... it's SUPERMAN THE MUSICAL!

Posted: 11/17/04 at 7:55pm

I 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!
"There is nothing scary about life, if you are not attached to the results." - Conversations With God

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