Lewis, Ward Land, Polic to headline "Sister Act"- Page 2

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:09am

Okay. Let me break this down:

The audience consists, the way I can see it from here, of two groups: a) Dawnn Lewis fans (a very limited group in and of itself, based on the response to her name here), and b) people who dug the movie (of which there are a lot more).

Group B is going to be the most likely buyer. What Group B are being presented with is a book based (in all but character names) on Paul Rudnick's earlier draft for a version to have starred Bette Middler, and an entirely new score.

Word of mouth from Group B will not be impressive, because they're not being presented with something that resembles the movie closely enough for them to remember it. "We saw the SISTER ACT musical and it was good" is probably going to be a rarely heard phrase once it hits New York.

My advice to whoever is the show doctor:

-- Bring in the Motown, and Marc Shaiman's arrangement of it
-- Keep the book because it's based on a draft that is structurally better than the film, but bring portions of it closer to the film where possible

Do this, and I can guarantee a hit for a Disney audience. That, and maybe a limited time only run in the slower season featuring Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris to really sell some of the higher-priced seats.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 12:00pm

Did anyone read Peter Filichia's column about the show this past Friday? Let's just say, he wasn't crazy about it!!

http://www.theatermania.com/peterfilichia/

[singingbackup]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 12:48pm

He's dead on with his thoughtful assessment of this mess of a show. I had such high hopes for it, but sadly in it's current state, it just doesnt work.

[phantomCA26]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 3:52pm

I think the show is excellent and in it's current state will be a huge hit. It's enormously entertaining. Left the theater feeling like I'd been given a shot of sheer joy. I'm not a theater snob like some on these boards, but I know how to recognize a genuinely great piece of musical theater.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 4:14pm

They should just pay whatever it costs to have Whoopi headline and they'll have a good run (at least while she's there)...or Queen Latifah, that would bring folks in! I love Sister Act, so I have high hopes for this musical. I don't get to NY too often, so just give me a cast recording and I'll be happy!

[phantomCA26]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 7:43pm

Unfortunately Whoopi can't sing the role.