Its time for a JOSEPH revival!!!

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 6:48pm

Its a classic show and definitely the type of show that could be re imagined in a new creative way. Think Of all the celeb stunt casting you could do with it! The last time it was revived on broadway was in 1993....I think it definitely could use a tune up!

Thoughts?

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 6:54pm

Classic? Really?

I personally have many shows on my "to be revived" list before this (Joseph isn't actually on it) but I don't see this happening... especially with the recent UK production; if we were going to get a revival, it likely would've been in the last few years.

Updated On: 5/27/13 at 06:54 PM

[broadwayfreak4]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 6:59pm

Agreed, broadway guy!!!! One of my favorites and most special shows I've ever been in!! (I was in a community theatre production.)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:03pm

Heaven forfend!

[Playbilly]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:06pm

When a Radcliffe, Jonas or Criss is free.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:17pm

this is the most overdone show in any high school, community theater, college or regional theater. no thanks.

[quizking101]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:18pm

I think this is one of those shows that has been beaten into the community theatre mold, never to return to Broadway again.

KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN on the other hand....THAT needs revivin'

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:18pm

If they were to do it, I wouldn't want a carbon copy of ALW's direct-to-video version, as the recent UK revival was, except for the addition of a third number for Pharaoh. I'd want it to either be more like the original with Laurie Beechman, or something very low-tech.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:18pm

Bites knuckles to stifle a scream. Turns on heel and runs for the door. "NO!"

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:36pm

"Classic? Really?"

I would say its a classic. The songs are very well known and are standards. Everyone knows "any dream will do" and "close every door". Its one of ALW'S Most popular Musicals ever. The songs are unbelievably catchy and it it could definitely be a family favorite.

"I think this is one of those shows that has been beaten into the community theatre mold, never to return to Broadway again."

The same could be said for PIPPIN and look at the amazing revival we got!

"this is the most overdone show in any high school, community theater, college or regional theater. no thanks."

Yeah lots of theatres and schools do it but doesn't that just mean the public still wants to see it? If anything, That could only boost ticket sales. Oh and Ps. The most overrated community theater show isn't JOSEPH...Its Seussical.


But the only way a revival could work is if they start from scratch and do a complete reworking of it. I dont want to see some carbon copy..I want to something fresh and new. Maybe even add a new song. It needs to be something great like the Pippin revival, not something like the into the woods 2001 revival.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:45pm

The songs are some of the most simplistic and brain dead ever written for a broadway stage.

Which is why community theaters do it to death.

And good luck finding a fresh way of telling Bible stories...

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 7:51pm

I saw one production of the show and found it very dismissible; I'd say that most of the people who know the music only know it because they were involved in a production. It's in no way a stable of theatrical history, such as other "classics". The show was not introduced to America that long ago, and there's really no market for it right now. If there was an investor, it would have happened with the last West End revival, in all likeliness.

I don't consider it one of ALW's most well known scores at all. The opposite really. Also, I doubt anyone is in any rush to mount another ALW production anytime soon, with the possible exception of The Wizard of Oz. The difference with a show like Pippin is the reception it has received in the past and how it was something new. The Fosse aspect aside, the community was never that warm to Joseph, especially in terms of awards, where as it was for Pippin.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 8:00pm

I'm a fan and I just saw an extraordinarily bad production that I'm still recovering from.

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 8:14pm

I was literally JUST thinking about this. If they went with non-names, Ben Fankhauser from Newsies would make a wonderful Joseph.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 8:16pm

This is certainly among my least favorite shows of all time. I remember wishing I had a pair of hot fork to thrust into my eyes during the revival of this. I don't think I've ever looked at my progam more -- constantly looking to see how much more pain I needed to endure, song by song by song by song.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 8:29pm

"I don't consider it one of ALW's most well known scores at all."

Really? I think it definitely is. Everyone and their mother knows thows songs. I bet i could walk down a street whisteling "Any dream will do" and most would recognize it. Plus it has a christian theme so many many people are going to know it.

I would think its almost foolish to say JOSEPH isn't one of his more well known shows. What theater kid hasn't done this show? I have done it 3 times for Christ sakes.

If i had to pick ALW'S most popular shows Id go with this:

CATS
PHANTOM
EVITA
SUNSET
JCS
JOSEPH

These are definitely his most ICONIC works. His Music is iconic and most people know of "MEMORY" AND "DONT CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA" AND " GO GO JOSEPH" etc etc. You dont here many people singing to his less popular music/shows shows like TELL ME ON SUNDAY and JEEVES.

Its silly to say JOSEPH isnt one of his more popular shows.

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 8:35pm

Oh, your last post made me laugh out loud quite a few times. Thanks for that.

I grew up in New York. I am currently studying theatre in New York. I have never done Joseph, and would not know that song. The high school in my town did it a few years before I got there.;I haven't heard of a local production since then.

But that's not what made me laugh. Christian theme? Yes. A lot of Christian people? Yes. But your beloved revival is being proposed in one of the largest melting pots in the world, home to a myriad of religions. Not to mention, New York is one of the most culturally Jewish areas in the world. Have you tried finding parking over the high holidays? But, that's not my point...

You're giving people way too much credit.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 8:43pm

People think "Go Go Joseph" is a good song?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 8:44pm

He is assuming that his group of friends is a true sampling of the public. I would guess that less than 1/2 my drama students would know any of the songs you listed and if I polled my non-drama kids that less than 1/4 would be able to identify the song OR tell you who ALW is.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 8:47pm

I've never done, seen or heard JOSEPH, only know it by name and as my old college roommate's favorite guilty pleasure. That said, he thought it was terrible, too. He just loved it the way people enjoy watching the Kardashians: inexplicably.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 9:03pm

"He is assuming that his group of friends is a true sampling of the public."

Don't assume things i don't say.

"People think "Go Go Joseph" is a good song?"

Who said anything about good? I just said it was recognizable. Don't put words in my mouth.

"The high school in my town did it a few years before I got there"

Exactly.

"You're giving people way too much credit."

Perhaps, But at the same time it is a largely known show. I still stand by my statement about people knowing the songs off the street. Same with GODSPELL. Who doesn't know "DAY BY DAY"?



Updated On: 5/27/13 at 09:03 PM

[Archnem7]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 9:08pm

Oh God, I'd rather listen to a Drill Hammer for 2 hours than anything in this show...I'd say the songs are probably the most annoying showtunes ever written...
But, like Mamma Mia, it's good for the mindless theatregoer...

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 9:16pm

Ha. Your paraphrasing of my post and ignoring the majority of it has officially made me lose interest. Jeez, remember when you were able to have an actual discussion on here?

[all that jazz]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 9:18pm

The only song I actually like from this musical is Close Every Door To Me, I usually skip the rest of them whenever they pop up in my iPod. They just seem kind of silly, at least to me, but everyone is entitled to their own taste, so don't let us stop you from enjoying it!



Updated On: 5/27/13 at 09:18 PM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 5/27/13 at 9:29pm

"But that's not what made me laugh. Christian theme? Yes. A lot of Christian people? Yes. But your beloved revival is being proposed in one of the largest melting pots in the world, home to a myriad of religions. Not to mention, New York is one of the most culturally Jewish areas in the world. Have you tried finding parking over the high holidays? But, that's not my point..."

Yeah its a christian theme but its not exclusively christian. People of all backgrounds can enjoy the show without thinking about it to much. Its a very simple story and isnt very deep so i don't think to many people will NOT go see it because it christian. At the same time, The Christian aspect could help it. Yes NYC is predominately Jewish but that doesn't mean the Jewish people wont enjoy a show like this. You are just stereotyping at this point.


"I grew up in New York. I am currently studying theatre in New York. I have never done Joseph, and would not know that song. The high school in my town did it a few years before I got there.;I haven't heard of a local production since then. "

WOOPS i forgot that your school was the kingdom of musical theatr and only put on shows that YOU recognize. HA dont make me laugh. I COMPLETELY forgot that your town was the be all and end all of shows. My Apologies for MY mistake.

You do know that the JOSEPH is one of the most overdone shows that High schools do right? (notice how i didnt say college). Most theater kids know that show..