MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #1
Posted: 12/10/19 at 9:19pm
Not the worst idea for a musical but dear God can somebody just write an original score?? Enough with these uninspired lazy jukebox musicals!
https://www.broadway.com/buzz/197838/my-best-friends-wedding-musical-sets-world-premiere-in-the-uk-alexandra-burke-will-star/
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #2
Posted: 12/10/19 at 9:35pm
I see your point, but I wouldn’t really consider this a “jukebox musical”. The original movie contained a bunch of pop classics —including some Bacharach and David songs. Most famously the “I Say A Little Prayer” scene in the restaurant. Hopefully they’ll find a way to work the other songs in just as gracefully!
Updated On: 12/10/19 at 09:35 PMMY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #3
Posted: 12/10/19 at 9:38pm
I think 3 songs were “featured” in the film but this is a full musical using old music. Why couldn’t those few songs be featured in a show with an original score is what I’m saying.
It’s just getting very old.
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #4
Posted: 12/10/19 at 9:43pmI agree totally. BUT I’d prefer something like this than sitting through a truly bad original score (eg Bryan Adams’ Pretty Woman score.)
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #5
Posted: 12/11/19 at 2:20pm
Is this a money thing? I can't imagine licensing 15+ hit songs for a show is cheaper than hiring a songwriting team. If anything, I think it'd be more expensive.
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #6
Posted: 12/11/19 at 2:25pm
Alex Kulak2 said: "Is this a money thing? I can't imagine licensing 15+ hit songs for a show is cheaper than hiring a songwriting team. If anything, I think it'd be more expensive."
Obviously it depends on who the team is. "Names" like Adam Guettel, Ahrens & Flaherty, Yazbeck, etc. don't come cheap! . A couple of kids from the BMI workshop -- not so much.
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #7
Posted: 12/11/19 at 2:30pm
So hire some kids from the BMI workshop. It's a classic film, they don't have to worry about the creative team being who draws in a crowd. Outside the hardcore Broadway community, do you think anyone saw Shrek because Jeanine Tesori was writing the score? Or Tootsie because of David Yazbek? Beetlejuice for Eddie Perfect? Matilda for Tim Minchin?
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #8
Posted: 12/11/19 at 2:34pm
All those shows were better for having those writers, but their names weren't what got them to Broadway, and they didn't need to be. If a producer has a pretty good chance for a show to succeed with the name alone, why not take a risk with the creative team?
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #9
Posted: 12/11/19 at 2:54pmI was hoping they'd use more songs from the film soundtrack. It sounded as thought they were pretty much perfect to drop into the book for the stage.
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #10
Posted: 12/11/19 at 3:18pm
Jordan Catalano said: "I think 3 songs were “featured” in the film but this is a full musical using old music. Why couldn’t those few songs be featured in a show with an original score is what I’m saying.
It’s just getting very old."
In all fairness, this is a touring production, and those come with lower expectations. It’s also not the first time a famous “chick flick” has been adapted in this fashion - a touring stage version of “An Officer and A Gentleman” adopted a similar jukebox approach a couple of years ago.
Alexandra Burke is a talented singer, but I don’t expect too much from this...
MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING Is Now A Jukebox Musical #11
Posted: 12/11/19 at 3:25pm
I mean, we've seen how some shows with iconic musical moments that don't include the song lack the moment's magic (First Wives Club, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in London) come to mind. Why not, just go all out. I remember a song book on the 1997-1998 year in movie included I Say A Little Prayer because it was such a stand out.
I do feel like this could be a good chance at a Burt Bacharach score.
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