MAME - Broadway Revival — Page 2

""It is a show that would not resonate with todays theatergoers unfortunately.
Great score but I simply do not think it would succeed even though it should. Add to that, it is not on the list of musicals that are OK for revival.10 or 15 musicals are on it. All the great shows not on that list will never be revived. It is a shame but there it is
."
Does this list actually exist? What are the musicals listed on it? I've never heard of this list before.
"

You've apparently ignored Mr. Roxy then, since anytime there's any mention of a revival of any show we get a post about this "list." Of course, the fact that just off the top of my head I can think of numerous revivals we've gotten (Promises, Promises, The Apple Tree, On a Clear Day, Side Show, Gigi) and upcoming revivals for this season alone (She Loves Me, Dames at Sea, Falsettos, The Color Purple) that would not appear on this list in his mind kind of negates his point. Yes, there is another upcoming revival of Fiddler on the Roof, and Gypsy is always going to be a popular choice for a revival as well (both because of the potentially thrilling star turns that can come out of them), but we definitely see more than the 10 or 15 musicals he continually claims are the only ones we ever see revived.

I'm confused. Gypsy gets revived because of potential star turns. But, Mame won't get revived because it needs a star? Ok.

In any event, I think Catherine Zeta Jones has the star power to be Mame. Indeed, a remade film with Zeta Jones might be good.

It would absolutely need huge star power to cover what would be a huge budget. MAME is a very large show, along the size of the R&H shows. Many sets, huge ensemble, etc.

I remember a few years back Herman was intrigued by the idea of Queen Latifah, whom I think would be great, but Latifah doesn't want to do the B'way schedule, as of now.

I just don't think there is an audience for this. At least not to the tune of the $15 million it would cost to create a first class revival. As Pal Joey writes, the musical is also very much of its time. If I were Catherine Zeta Jones, I'd rather star in something someone wrote specifically for me.

I wonder if Jerry Herman would consider rewriting those final three lines.

Because its a stale, endless, dated show with a terrific score. Maybe Encores could do it.

She wouldn't make a cent, but Jan Maxwell would be inspired.

Reidel reported a few years ago that a prominent producer (who he never named, but I always assumed it was Scott Rudin) pitched a full scale revival to Bette Midler, but she wouldn't agree to do it long enough to make it financially viable. I *think* it would have had to run a year at sell out business to work, and Midler only wanted to do 6 months.

ETA I found a bunch of interviews with Midler from 2013 where she talks about being approached for a revival, but reveals she was hesitant because of the energy involved in committing to 8 shows a week in a musical. She mentions it's "always in the back of her mind" though, so who knows.

Updated On: 8/4/15 at 04:22 PM

Wasn't Midler also consistently named as an ideal Dolly Levi?

The show, as fun as it could be, needs a phenomenal star to work.

By which I mean a great actress and personality with musical comedy chops, style, sophistication, warmth, vulnerability and madcap flare. It might have been a fabulous show for Ann-Margret when she was the right age for it.

Toni Collette, so long overdue for another major musical role, seems an ideal choice. Kristen Johnston could be an absolute hoot as Vera as could Spencer Kayden or Sarah Stiles as Gooch.

Because Jane Krakowski took a supporting role in "She Loves Me" instead of the lead she was destined to play.