Musicals Not Based on Anything
Musicals Not Based on Anything
LuPonatic
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#1Musicals Not Based on Anything
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.
#1re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:34pm
In My Life
Urinetown (debatable)
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#2re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:34pm
FOLLIES
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#3re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:35pm
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
LuPonatic
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#4re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:35pm
I'm not a historian, but I feel safe saying
The Drowsy Chaperone?
#5re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:36pmCorrect.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#8re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
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
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
LuPonatic
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#10re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/06
#11re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 3:56pmMilk and Honey
I have several names, one is Julian2. I am also The Opps Girl. But cross me, and I become Bitch Dooku!
Fabrizio2
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/20/06
#13re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
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.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
Julian2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/06
#14re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:04pmCompany 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!
#15re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:06pmTHE BEAUTIFUL GAME
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#17re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:22pm
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
mijofly19
Broadway Star Joined: 6/14/05
#19re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:28pmI 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
Julian2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/06
#20re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:42pmSpelling 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!
#21re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 4:55pmNevermind. 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
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#22re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
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?
"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
LuPonatic
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#23re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:09pmI have trouble thinking of musicals where SOMETHING didn't come from SOMEWHERE.
#24re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
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.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
GovernorSlaton
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/14/04
#25re: Musicals Not Based on Anything
Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:27pmEverything 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).
Videos