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Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American Musical Documentary

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#1

Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American Musical Documentary

First, I LOVED this documentary. It provided a great in-depth overview of how Broadway came to be to what it is today. It also included the major popular performers, creative teams, and shows of its 100+ year history.

However, there were many omissions of many shows, performers, and creative people.

What/who do you think are the Top 5 omissions? People, shows, events, etc.

The documentary is already many hours in length, and its understandable that everything can't be included. But if you could choose five things to add, what would they be?

1) PETER PAN - Gave Mary Martin national fame. It's the most-revived musical in Broadway history. One of, if not THE first live-televised musical, also one of first stage musicals to be distributed on VHS. Pioneer in flying. Jerome Robbins, Jule Styne, Adolf Green, and Betty Comden all part of its creation. Throughout its years on Broadway, such stars as Maude Adams, Marilyn Miller, Mary Martin, Eva Le Gallienne, and Jean Arthur all starred.

2) DREAMGIRLS
3) AVENUE Q - Mostly everything discussed about contemporary Broadway was focused on WICKED. Why not also include the Tony winner?
4) INTO THE WOODS
5) Revivals
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#2

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

They only mentioned Hairspray once, and it was just a quick name drop. I was mad!
GRRRRRRRRR
David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel
#5

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

The Princess Musicals -- in the 19teens, Jerome Kern, Guy Bolton and PG Wodehouse wrote several small-scale musicals produced at the Princess Theatre. The most famous was "Very Good, Eddie". As opposed to the big musicals of the day they were small cast shows about normal people in realistic situations. They were very successful and opened the door for a new kind of musical.

Did they ever mention the name George Abbott in the entire 6 hours???

#6

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

I think that we would still be watching the documentary today if they had mentioned every musical that's been performed on Broadway. There comes a time for editorial decisions and no doubt a number of people were pissed that their favorite show was not mentioned and a number of people were happy they their favorite show was. You can't please all of the people all of the time.
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
#7

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

I thought Q should have been mentioned. And URINETOWN as well. They make up a new genre of Broadway show that was not around 10 years ago. I guess PETER PAN was mentioned because the show itself didn't advance the artform. They could have done a section on Mary Martin though.

What about OH, CALCUTTA??
#12

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

JakeB--Yes, it's available on DVD from Amazon (I didn't see anyone else respond, so I thought I would.)

In fact, I just got mine in the mail yesterday and I'm watching it tonight!!!!
YAY!!!
Why do we play with fire? Why do we run our fingers through the flame? Why do we leave our hands on the stove, although we know we're in for some pain? -tick...tick...BOOM!
#13

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

The documentary was very good, but was extremely rushed. It had to be of course if they wanted to fit 100 years of history into 6 hours, but I would eventually like to see a a year by year account of Broadway history.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
#14

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

JakeB, You can also purchase, from PBS, the full package which includes:

3PK DVD
Hardcover Book
5PK CD
FREE CD
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
#16

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

You're damned right, Michael. Narry a mention of the Princess musicals.

Jule Styne, and GYPSY, in particular, were given very short mention, too.

While it was focused on musicals, I don't recall any word of how Garland, singlehandly, re-legitimized the Palace Theatre with her "Judy at the Palace "run in the 50's. There's a plaque to her in the lobby, for gosh sake's. Somebody thought that was an important part of Broadway history.



#18

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

how to succeed, damn yankees, gypsy
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
#20

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

HELLO!! Did anyone even catch Gypsy, cuz i saw the whole thing and i must have blinked then. The thing about the PBS doc is that it was a fine, if not overdone, intro, anyone with basic theater knowledge found it far more than adequate , even exceptional. I was impressed with all the stock footage, i thought that was great. but if you want a real treasure, Broadway: the golden age is just beyond words.
#22

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

You're correct that both have their merits, BwayGiant.

The beauty of "The Golden Age" is that it's a more personal story, because a number of the players are around to recall and remember for the camera.

GYPSY was briefly discussed, with some still shots of the recording session. But if you blinked, you would have missed it. There was no, repeat, no, mention of the sheer superior quality of the work, as measured against the others. Hard to imagine that no film footage of the original cast surfaced for this documentary.
#23

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

George Abbott was mentioned by June Havoc - talking about auditioning for PAL JOEY.

I think the MOMMA MIA poster flashed by when Hal Prince was talking about how nowadays, shows need to have titles or songs that people know.

They should have mentioned FALSETTOS - the first Broadway show to deal with AIDS, and the first sucessful transfer of Off-Broadway to Broadway (although it was actually TWO Off-Broadwau shows converted into one).
#24

re: Major Shows of Broadway History NOT Mentioned in Broadway: The American

I think they spent too much time on Sunday in the Park with George instead of Into the Woods. Also, Bernadette Peters was almost completely left out. Also, I think they should have done one of their longer segments on Avenue Q, because it is so different, new, and popular...it wasnt mentioned at all.
Everybody's got the right to their dreams...

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