Joe Brooks' impending musical adaptation of Metropolis

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 3:40am

Anyone else terrified?

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 3:41am

It's alreadybeen done i beleive. I have definitely seen the set designs for it, which were pretty damn intense.

Akiva

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 3:49am

Was this not done in London in the 80's.

Time magazine did a front cover story on it, the staging was supposed to have been breath taking, even have the OCR somewhere.

From memory the opening track was called 101.1..

From what i remember it was not a cheap show to run.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 3:51am

Metropolis was a musical based on the 1927 movie of the same name that was staged at the Piccadilly Theatre in London in 1989. The music was written by Joe Brooks while he and Dusty Hughes wrote the lyrics. The cast included Judy Kuhn, Brian Blessed, and Graham Bickley. After that time Joe Brooks worked with American Randy Bowser at editing the already finished musical. By 2002 they had created a more complete libretto to the show, and it was first produced at the Pentacle Theater in Salem Oregon (Bowswer interview). Main changes between the silent film and the musical are name changes for many of the characters, slightly different religious themes, a completely different ending, and a larger focus on the children ("Metropolis the Musical").

Works Cited:

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 10:55pm

In that same New York Times story, this was what got me ( people are saying there's nothing new on broadway )

A "really original" show about a girl and her doll named Dingbat.

I hope "In My Life" turns out to be the hit of the season...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 1:26am

Alas, I don't think it will rosscoe - unless hte reviews are great. Link Larkin Wannabe where did you see the set desings at? Any links? thanks.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 1:49am

In a few books. I am blanking out right now on which ones (I have about a 1000 set design books) but I am sure i will remember.

Akiva

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 2:04am

The score for Metropolis is actually often quite beautiful. Some songs are often done for auditions.

I picked up the double CD in Boston at Tower records probably 15 years ago. I'd seen it sitting there so many times and finally splurged as I was buying up anything that said "Original Cast."

One song, sung by Judy Kuhn called "You Are The Light" with what sounds like a choir of hundreds behind her, is one of the most inspiring numbers I've ever heard.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 3:34am

www.absoluteastronomy.com/ encyclopedia/m/me/metropolis.htm

Try this link, has everything from sounds bytes to photos..

:)

Updated On: 10/17/05 at 03:34 AM

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 10/17/05 at 3:51am

I've listened to the score and found it pretty boring. He is a songwriter of little talent.

Merely one song is great: "He's distant from me now". I love that song actually. Updated On: 10/17/05 at 03:51 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 5:31pm

That link didn't work - at leat not for me, I was so excited too! lol. Is the OBC still available anywhere?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 6:16pm

Picked up the double CD a few years ago @ Flea Market for $ 5. Best bargain I ever got. I would see the show

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 6:57pm

Sorry rentboy, do a google search..( thats where that site came from, sorry first time trying to link something )

The OLCR can be ordered from Amazon.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 7:20pm

I think METROPOLIS is a brilliant show! I love the music and I love the performances on the OLCR! Judy Kuhn is always sensational and what can be said about the magnificent Brian Blessed!

Graham Bickley as Freeman's son Steven is amazing the emotions that this cast provides on the recording is fantastic. To me there is nothing like this show on broadway and hasn't been for a long time. You'll have to listen to it for yourself, but I feel it is 1000 times better than IN MY LIFE!

I also feel that this show has a very strong political theme in it. Which is perfect for this decade.

I have posted in many other threads about how excited I am for this project to come to fruition. I hope it does happen and many skeptics will be eating humble pie!

[jasonf]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 9:53pm

There are a few songs I really like in the score: You Are The Light, The Sun, Working For the Devil, It's Only Love/Bring On the Night, He's Distant From Me Now...

There is some crap in it too -- two words: Futura's Dance - what the heck is that????

[leefowler]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:57pm

I saw Metropolis in London, and thought it was ghastly.

Speaking of Joe Brooks...has ANYONE seen the movie he wrote called "Headin' For Broadway"?

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 9:35am

The movie was such a classic. I want to see this. Is it a serious musical? How long is the performance?

[chess12]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 11:54am

I saw METROPOLIS in London, too. Have to admit that I fell asleep during the second act (I had just flown in that morning...damn jet lag). I was kind of underwhelmed by the show, but I did get to meet Judy Kuhn afterwards at the deli next door to the theatre. I've got the cast recording on two cassettes. I think I'll try Amazon to see if I can find it on CD. Flop or not, I call it a must-have for no reason other than that Judy Kuhn is the star!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 12:57pm

I actually love this show...never saw it, but think the recording is great (some dated stuff, which can be fixed like Futura's Dance) and everyone should hear Judy Kuhn's amazing vocals. Noone sings like her.

What a great role too...you get to play Che Guevera and a robot in the same show!

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 10/19/05 at 1:08pm

Everyday at work I think of the line

"Feels like we're working for the devil"

Maybe I should change jobs