Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?

[amygbrooks]

Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?#1

Posted: 5/4/21 at 1:03pm

Hi All,

I'm collecting ideas for places to visit in middle America (West of the Mississippi River, East of California) that have to do with musicals. For example, the real-life bridges of Madison County, and Music Man Square in Mason City, IA (the inspiration for River City). I hope to be back in New York seeing Broadway shows this Fall, but until then I'd like to scratch the travel itch with some quirky road trips.

Would love to hear your ideas and suggestions!

[ggersten]

Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?#2

Posted: 5/4/21 at 1:44pm

Hannibal, Missouri for Big River.

Kansas City for Oklahoma! - because everything is up to date there

Big D - little A - double L - A - S - for The Most Happy Fella (ok, it's not really a location in the show)

Sante Fe - again, not an actual location in either Rent or Newsies - but maybe you can figure out why it is the place dreamed of. (other than "Fe" is an easier word to rhyme)

Not certain where 110 in the Shade takes place - but it is in the Southwest (likely Texas panhandle).

 

 

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?#3

Posted: 5/4/21 at 1:54pm

Jackson County, Missouri, or Salt Lake City, Utah (The Book of Mormon)

La Grange, Texas (inspiration for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas)

Chicago

Tulsa, Oklahoma (Violet)

Duluth, Minnesota (Girl from the North Country)

"When we die, we go bye bye." - Abe Lincolns

[LizzieCurry]

Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?#4

Posted: 5/4/21 at 1:56pm

Chicago for Chicago!

I think in The Rainmaker, they're more explicit that it's the Texas panhandle, but I could be wrong.

(I also think it's a little off to consider the southwest "middle america."

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

[schubox]

Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?#5

Posted: 5/4/21 at 4:39pm

My Dad's family is from Mason City, been there many times. Do yourself a favor and skip it. I live in KC, and you can hit up a couple here as others have mentioned

[MichelleCraig]

Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?#6

Posted: 5/4/21 at 5:10pm

Denver, Colorado…visit THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN’s house/mansion.

[ggersten]

Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?#7

Posted: 5/4/21 at 5:19pm

MichelleCraig said: "Denver, Colorado…visit THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN’s house/mansion."

Where the first thing they tell you is that her name was Margaret and no one called her Molly!

 

[henrikegerman]

Musical tourism in middle America - suggestions?#8

Posted: 5/4/21 at 6:33pm

The Cook County Jail 
 

[greensgreens]

Re: Bridges of Madison County#9

Posted: 5/8/21 at 9:23am

The real-life bridges of Madison County (the few that remain) are quite lovely (I recommend the Boseman). Some of them have been burned down (often as an act of unrequited love). Francesca's house (the one they did establishing shots of for the film) was also burned a few years ago. You can go to the cafe that was featured in the film (I think it's referenced in the musical) in nearby Winterset, IA. And actually, Winterset has the old timey town square that is much more quaint and old fashioned than River City. Winterset is on the outskirts of Des Moines, you can easily get there. It's also the birthplace of John Wayne and you can visit the gift shop/historic home too.

If you want to do a double hitter, you can visit the great Iowa State Fair (as featured in the original - not Ann Margret version - film and also the musical) in August and make a weekend of it.

PS - I am not working for the Iowa or Winterset publicity teams. Heck, I'm not even an Iowan!

[unclevictor]

Re: Bridges of Madison County#10

Posted: 5/8/21 at 9:48am

Hell - Hadestown