Jukebox Musicals?

[Starchild13]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 3:03pm

Yes, we know that jukebox musicals are kind of lazy but you can't deny their popularity

This thread is not a place for any jukebox musical hate (any more than what I said), just a place for serious speculation on what artists should be next in the endless train of getting "their own" Broadway shows.

I actually have one I'm writing (though I'd need to get the artist's permission to actually greenlight this for any kind of big-time performance anything); Tragic Kingdom, a No Doubt jukebox musical whose storyline is basically a bit of a queer pastiche on 90s/early 00s teen movies.

In addition to that, some other artists I think deserve a jukebox musical are Weird Al Yankovic (and I've seen many ideas for a storyline for that potential musical) and P!nk (her ideal (imho) jukebox show would be similar to shows like Spring Awakening and Next To Normal in terms of its general vibe)

So does anyone have any other ideas for artists who are Broadway-worthy enough to get a jukebox show?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 3:14pm

I don't mind jukebox musicals at all, just as long as they're done right. I think it's nice to see more of them following the Jersey Boys blueprint (Beautiful, On Your Feet) than the Mamma Mia! blueprint (Good Vibrations, Rock of Ages). Updated On: 2/3/15 at 03:14 PM

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 3:35pm

I LOVE 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert". Well, it wasn't a random made-up jukebox musical because it was based on the movie. It worked so well. I saw it 4 times. If I can see it again (professionally) I'd go.

I'd love to see a BIG Broadway musical of 'Selena'. Yes, there was a tour in the early 2000. I never saw it. There hasn't been any big latin musicals other than 'In the Heights'. The movie Selena always makes me cry. I can see who ever playing Selena winning the Tony. Please make this happen.

[Fantod]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 3:36pm

I agree with Jeffrey about what type of jukebox musical is best, but that mold also gave us Motown, which remains the worst musical I've ever seen.

In any event, I think a Nirvana musical could be really good.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 3:53pm

I want to see a Jukebox Musical of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David catalog. Their songs echoed the style of the 1960s.

Say A Little Prayer
Anyone Who Had A Heart
Walk On By
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
Always Something There To Remind Me
Wishin' and Hopin'
I Say A Little Prayer
Theme From Valley of the Dolls

Updated On: 2/3/15 at 03:53 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 3:58pm

I think jukebox musicals are a high wire act, since you are using hit/known songs typically, so it puts a lot of pressure on the book/tone to carry it off properly. I though Mamma Mia/Rock of Ages found that balance well... with MM shoehorning ABBA songs into unexpected places on a flimsy story that was really campy and fun. Rock of Ages, similarly, never took itself seriously, but also found a throughline that the songs were able to hang on with a campy tone that winked knowingly at its ridiculousness while still getting you pulled into both shows.

But nailing down that story, finding the tone, and presenting the songs in a way that both honor the original and serve the piece is tricky, which is why many fail.

I think of them differently from the Priscillas, Motowns, and Beautifuls, though, which are either based on movies with a specific throughline or use history as their throughline. History is OK, but at the same time, it makes it harder to get an audience emotionally invested. Beautiful works because Jessie is just so good, but the story isn't very interesting or surprising. I think less than heavenly casting in such cases can just as easily kill the show. And, I never wanted to see Motown, since I've been on cruise ships before, and tend to not seek that sort of thing whilest on land.

That said, they do come with a built-in audience... but word of mouth will sour a bad jukebox musical no matter how much people like the songs.

As far as oddball choices for a jukebox musical, I think there is a lot of storytelling AND a lot of room for reinterpretation in the Counting Crows catalog.

Updated On: 2/3/15 at 03:58 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:15pm

I think Jersey Boys has become one of the more successful ones, going so far as to give birth to a movie.

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:21pm

^But Mamma Mia went to Broadway first and had a movie first? Confused.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:27pm

I agree with Gotham. I really enjoyed Promises, Promises, and more Bachrach/David can only be a good thing.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:32pm

I want to see a Jukebox Musical of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David catalog. Their songs echoed the style of the 1960s.

Say A Little Prayer
Anyone Who Had A Heart
Walk On By
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
Always Something There To Remind Me
Wishin' and Hopin'
I Say A Little Prayer
Theme From Valley of the Dolls

Theme From Valley of the Dolls was not written by Bacharach/David. That song was written by Andre Previn (Music) and then-wife Dory Previn (lyrics).

There have already been two Bacharach/David jukebox musicals. The first was produced in 1992 and was called BACK TO BACHARACH AND DAVID. In 2003 the Roundabout Theater Company produced one called THE LOOK OF LOVE.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:36pm

"But Mamma Mia went to Broadway first and had a movie first?"

And Mamma Mia is regarded as a steaming pile of crap that is only lifted because ABBA songs were great. The Meryl Streep movie is just embarrassing.

Jersey Boys seems to be scoring bigger.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:40pm

"Theme From Valley of the Dolls was not written by Bacharach/David. That song was written by Andre Previn (Music) and then-wife Dory Previn (lyrics)."

Oops, my apologies. I tend to include that because of the Dionne Warwick catalog.

Were the two musicals just their songs or were they fitted into a storyline.

I just think with all the interest in the 60s that Mad Men generated, it would be interesting to look at that time period again.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:46pm

Well, so far, the only one I've ever liked was Billy Joel's "Movin' Out". That alone doesn't rule out that another that would work for me, but so far, nothing has. I do NOT like biopic musicals - at least not yet.

[ggersten]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:49pm

We have to distinguish between Jukebox Musicals which use a catalog to tell a story and a Biographical Musical which is "and then we sang this" - The first is Mamma Mia - the second is Jersey Boys. (Heck, the second is George M!).

and JoseLee_, the Gloria Estafan biomusical is coming this year - On Your Feet - which premieres in Chicago on June 2 and is booked into the Marquis for October 5.


On Your Feet

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:52pm

DMama, I'll see your MOVIN' OUT and raise you AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'. The latter managed to present a history of the African-American experience without ever being literal.

Let's make either of the above our model rather than that bore, MAMMA MIA.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:53pm

"Well, so far, the only one I've ever liked was Billy Joel's "Movin' Out". That alone doesn't rule out that another that would work for me, but so far, nothing has."

And of course Movin' Out was as much (if not more) a modern ballet than a musical, so that, in my mind, puts it into its own category (along with Contact.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 4:53pm

"I do NOT like biopic musicals - at least not yet."

And why is that?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 5:00pm

I'll agree that it is more of a ballet, but it's officially classified as a musical.

Why? I have not enjoyed any that I have seen. I can appreciate them and the talent, but I've never been moved by them or had one totally hold my interest. I did not care for the presentational style of Jersey Boys or Beautiful -- I find they lack dynamics.

I'm always willing to try another, and I hope.

[Fantod]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 5:01pm

I think from what I've seen, I am not what you would consider a jukebox musical fan. Rock of Ages is trashy fun, and Beautiful was serviceable. I love love love Jersey Boys, and for some reason the story seriously fascinates me and moves me. Mamma Mia, Million Dollar Quartet, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert were all C level to me, and American Idiot and Motown were some of the worst shows I've ever seen.

[philly03]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 5:18pm

I'd actually be interested in seeing a Mariah Carey jukebox musical, assuming she would actually let the script show some of her flaws. She's certainly got an interesting story - writing music for other artists, Tommy Mottola svengali-esque relationship, her break down.

I would like it even more if she and Walter Afanasieff collaborated to add original songs as well. Somehow I'm sure everyone's egos will get involved and it will just be all rainbows and butterflies.

[JayG 2]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 5:24pm

Anyone who wants to see more jukebox musicals is not a real fan and has no real knowledge of musical theater. The junkbox musical is the bane of the American musical. And you people should know better.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 5:25pm

I'm confused. Now "jukebox musical" also includes revues? This term gets redefined every decade, doesn't it?

Anyway, I always thought My Best Friend's Wedding would make a splendid jukebox musical using the hit songs from the film soundtrack. Cute story and fantastic songs that could easily be built into the book.

I honestly don't enjoy the biopic musicals as much as those that find new ways to use the existing songs. The parade of "performance" numbers tend to bore me after the first two or three in the first act.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 5:28pm

Priscilla is an anomaly. The original movie wasn't intended to be a jukebox musical. It was brought to Broadway as one. So I really don't think it should count.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 5:53pm

You could consider Crazy For You as one . It used existing songs intertwined with an original story. Not bad for a jukebox show.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 5:53pm

Jukebox Musical: pre-existing songs tied into a new story e.g. Mama Mia!, All Shook Up.

Bio-musical: pre-existing songs tied into the story of the songwriters' lives e.g. Jersey Boys, Beautiful, Janis.

Revue: pre-existing songs, sans story, celebrating the songwriters' catalogue e.g. Jerry's Girls, Side By Side By Sondheim, Ain't Misbehavin', Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Just like any project, there's nothing lesser about any of them unless they are poorly executed.