Musicals based on artists life

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 10:07am

With every artist whoever has a hit song now somehow feeling the need to develop a musical on their life (many times I personally feel unwarranted). Which artist do you feel have the potential to create something great (in my opinion like beautiful or jersey boys).

For me I feel Dolly Parton would have a great life story on stage.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 3:50pm

I know Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner have an opera in the works about Eugene O'Neill's life.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 3:55pm

Theatrefanboy1 said: "With every artist whoever has a hit song now somehow feeling the need to develop a musical on their life (many times I personally feel unwarranted). Which artist do you feel have the potential to create something great (in my opinion like beautiful or jersey boys).

For me I feel Dolly Parton would have a great life story on stage. "

http://www.playbill.com/article/dolly-parton-reveals-details-about-broadway-musical-based-on-her-life

 

[Tag]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 4:04pm

I think the route to go in the now oversaturated bio-musical era, is back to the original story with an artist's music (like Mamma Mia).  Madonna or Celine Dion are 2 catalogs that would work.  I hope the Dianne Warren musical comes through too.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 5:02pm

Tag said: "I think the route to go in the now oversaturated bio-musical era, is back to the original story with an artist's music (like Mamma Mia). Madonna orCeline Dion are 2 catalogs that would work. I hope the Dianne Warren musical comes through too."

Yes. I mean from that route definitely Celine and Madonna! 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 5:31pm

One day, I pray we'll get a good musical that's based on the Beatles catalogue

[Rainah]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 5:48pm

I think the best bio-musicals (whether an artist or a historical figure etc) all have one thing in common; their subject is long dead and there are no forces in place to sanitize the show. To make a show and a lead compelling, you need to show them in a negative light as well as a positive, and get that complexity. Something like Evita, which is absolutely glorious in showing you good and bad and letting you wrestle with it rather than presenting just obstacles for the down-on-their-luck-but-goodhearted protagonist to overcome. Not that they all do that, but there's a tendancy to not want to offend certain parties.

Imagine making Evita, in Argentina, while she is still alive. It would look very different.

[Tag]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 7:05pm

One day, I pray we'll get a good musical that's based on the Beatles catalogue

LOVE?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 7:06pm

In terms of visual artists we have of course, Sunday in the Park With George and Fun Home, as well as a piece that was done a long time ago at the Signature in DC with Marc Kudisch as Vincent Van Gogh called The Highest Yellow. I think LaChiusa wrote it?

[David10086]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 8:11pm

Rainah said: "I think the best bio-musicals (whether an artist or a historical figure etc) all have one thing in common; their subject is long dead and there are no forces in place to sanitize the show. To make a show and a lead compelling, you need to show them in a negative light as well as a positive, and get that complexity.."

I couldn't agree more - and this is where "Summer" completely failed. Unfortunately, they sanitized her life story where it was unrecognizable to us devoted fans. It left us with a musical which completely missed the "compelling" aspect that could have made this sensational.

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/26/18 at 11:07am

I think a musical about Andy Warhol might be interesting.

[natashalost]

Posted: 12/26/18 at 11:58am

I would love to see Adele either write a musical or have one written around her music.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 12/26/18 at 12:02pm

I would absolutely watch a Led Zeppelin rock opera. 

 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 6/26/19 at 4:23pm

I wonder with Cher show closing. If we’ve discovered the limitations to a successful bio musical and if instead. More jukebox mamma Mia type shoes would be created

It will be interesting to see how Tina fairs.

I would still love to see Dolly Partons story on stage. And I could even see Loretta Lynn’s story working. But other than that I struggle to find an artist who also has a catalogue that backs their story.

[rlj1010]

Posted: 6/26/19 at 7:53pm

I feel it's only a matter of time until the Elton John 'Rocketman' film is adapted to the stage. The movie felt more like a stage musical to begin with, rather than a regular biopic.

[Patty3]

Posted: 6/26/19 at 9:14pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "One day, I pray we'll get a good musical that's based on the Beatles catalogue"

A few years ago I read about a stage version of the movie Back Beat about the Beatles pre- Ringo. But there has been no news since then.