Musicals Not Based on Anything

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:33pm

I was curious to know what shows actually aren't based on any source material, but are completely new: not based on a book, a play, a movie, or a jukebox musical.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:34pm

In My Life

Urinetown (debatable)

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:34pm

FOLLIES
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:35pm

URINETOWN is not based on anything.

AVENUE Q
A CHORUS LINE
DREAMGIRLS
THE MUSIC MAN

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:35pm

I'm not a historian, but I feel safe saying

The Drowsy Chaperone?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:36pm

Correct.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:37pm

Falsettos

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:37pm

Dude
Via Galactica

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:40pm

ANYTHING GOES
BRIGADOON
BYE BYE BIRDIE
CITY OF ANGELS
GREASE!
HAIR
INTO THE WOODS (basically)
SONG AND DANCE

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:43pm

(title of show)

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:47pm

BRIGADOON:

'Lerner's story was based on a much older German story by Friedrich Gerstäcker about the mythical, German village of Germelshausen that fell under an evil, magic curse. In 1947, memories of the second World War were too fresh to present a German-themed musical on Broadway, so Lerner reimagined the story in Scotland, complete with tartan kilts, bonnie lassies, droning bagpipes, Highland flings and “Heather on the Hill”.'

does it still count or no?

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:56pm

Milk and Honey

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:00pm

Company

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:01pm

Majority of DREAMGIRLS is based on the life and events of The Supremes.

A Chorus Line is based on the dancer's lives who were in the workshops.

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:04pm

Company is actually based on a series of short plays by George Furth. I'm not sure if they were ever preformed or published, but I know that was the starting point, then someone reccomended it be made into a musical with Stephen Sondheim.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:06pm

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:22pm

SUNDAY is not based on anything. IT features the painting, but it is an entirely original musical.

[mijofly19]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:26pm

Spelling Bee

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:28pm

I also still maintain that A CHORUS LINE is original.

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:42pm

Spelling Bee is based on a off-Broadway play.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:55pm

Nevermind. Misunderstood.

Updated On: 11/23/06 at 04:55 PM

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:02pm

Avenue Q is a spoof of Sesame Street.

The Into the Woods characters are based on classic story book characters.

Dreamgirls is based on the Supremes is it not?

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:09pm

I have trouble thinking of musicals where SOMETHING didn't come from SOMEWHERE.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:12pm

Just because AVENUE Q is considered a spoof on SESAME STREET does not mean that it's not an original musical. PLEASE.

INTO THE WOODS featured bits and pieces of un-original tales, but together as a two act musical, it is entirely original.

DREAMGIRLS is "loosely based" on the Supremes. Still somewhat original.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:27pm

Everything is "based" on something, but the question asked what musicals were not based on a book, a play, a movie, etc. Company started with Furth's unproduced plays, so I would argue that it is original. Sunday is a completely original story, as is Into the Woods. I would also classify musicals based on real-life events as original (Dreamgirls, Chorus Line, Caroline or Change).