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#1

Musicals Not Based on Anything

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.

#2

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

In My Life

Urinetown (debatable)
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#3

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

FOLLIES
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#4

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

URINETOWN is not based on anything.

AVENUE Q
A CHORUS LINE
DREAMGIRLS
THE MUSIC MAN
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#5

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

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

The Drowsy Chaperone?
#6

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

Correct.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#9

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

ANYTHING GOES
BRIGADOON
BYE BYE BIRDIE
CITY OF ANGELS
GREASE!
HAIR
INTO THE WOODS (basically)
SONG AND DANCE
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#11

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

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?
#12

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

Milk and Honey
I have several names, one is Julian2. I am also The Opps Girl. But cross me, and I become Bitch Dooku!
#14

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

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.


"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#15

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

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.
I have several names, one is Julian2. I am also The Opps Girl. But cross me, and I become Bitch Dooku!
#16

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#17

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

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


"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#19

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

I also still maintain that A CHORUS LINE is original.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#20

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

Spelling Bee is based on a off-Broadway play.
I have several names, one is Julian2. I am also The Opps Girl. But cross me, and I become Bitch Dooku!
#21

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

Nevermind. Misunderstood.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

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

#22

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

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?


"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
#23

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

I have trouble thinking of musicals where SOMETHING didn't come from SOMEWHERE.
#24

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

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.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson
#25

re: Musicals Not Based on Anything

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).

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