NBC’s HAIR LIVE pulled from schedule — Page 3

A confluence of factors here, though I think the failure of Rent is the primary reason, and there's no way "standards and practices" wasn't already having a nightmare (and it's highly unlikely Jim Rado was prepared to rewrite... basically everything):

* Bob Greenblatt, who gave the thumbs up to the live musical initiative, has left the network, and the first thing the new guy or gal always does is push their own slate at the expense of the other guy's favorites

* Craig Zadan has died, and in spite of the initial announcement that "the show must go on," Neil Meron may have ultimately realized he wasn't emotionally ready to proceed without him

* Galt MacDermot has also died, and though that may not matter much to the network (though personally I would miss his involvement, as he was involved on the music side with every new production of Hair, no matter how foggy he got with age), maybe that screwed things up from a legal perspective and his estate wasn't ready to sign off on future decisions

They were in casting as recently as this past week, so this was definitely a last-minute decision. Can't say I'm displeased with the ultimate choice, though; hiring Diane Paulus indicated to me that they weren't putting a lot of thought into it beyond "she did the most recent production, right?".

Updated On: 2/5/19 at 10:41 AM

Disappointed that, at least for now, it won't be "Hair".  Was looking forward to a show that I first saw in 1968 London, sitting in the audience in my U.S. Navy uniform.  Lots of memories of that time in my life, both good and not-so-good.

But I could be very happy with a live TV version of  "Hello, Dolly!".  Can think of three ladies who might be interested in the lead role:  Bette, Bernadette or Betty.

Updated On: 2/5/19 at 10:45 AM

Hair was always a bad choice for this, particularly since from Sound of Music onward, these presentations have been pitched squarely as programming for the whole family. Nothing about Hair is family programming... and the same could be said of Rent, which was undoubtedly a major stumbling block for its success (let's face it, its bad ratings were not due to its 11th hour announcement that it was not going to be really live).

They need to be looking at recognizable but safe choices like Annie, Music Man, Joseph, Oliver, etc. 

  

Updated On: 2/5/19 at 11:18 AM

CATSNYrevival said: "Sex and drugs are out but brutal murder is in?"

 

That’s how we do things here in ‘murica! 

 

CATSNYrevival said: "Sex and drugs are out but brutal murder is in?"

That's literally every night of primetime television.

You might say NBC has pulled Hair.

Were they already in rehearsals? I think this is too bad. Jesus Christ Superstar was excellent. 

I'm guessing they were struggling with content. Hair is pretty dirty. And dated. Once the Rent fiasco happened, and they realized they'd be up against the GoT finale, it was over, Johnny. 

 

 

sabrelady said: "the nude scene was just the cast stripping off ON STAGE while Claude sang Where DO I GO?."



That's what the nude scene has been in every production of Hair that I've seen, including Broadway. What's wrong with that?

IT pulls focus from Claude's big moment(Where Do I Go?)- You have to at least start to feel for Claude then or the ending is not as meaningful. Instead , you are distracted w all the people getting undressed and the power of them standing naked, open, vulnerable ( like Claude) is diminished.

When I have seen it( admittedly many years now) there has been a large sheet of  material ( almost the size of a parachute it seemed) on the ground and the Tribe undress under that in very dim light while Claude is spotlighted. When The sheet is removed and the actors stand up nude, Claude is now the only clothed performer and yet if it was done right he is still the focus and the nudity it a backdrop. ( also u don't have to see the naked actors fumbling around to pick up their clothes after) 

In the production I saw last weekend, the stage was small, w very little depth , I presume the decision was guided  by such physical limitations as well as directorial preference. I have a different POV.

Color/colour, Practice/Practise,  theater/ theatre

 

 

It's been done to death but I heard a rumor suggesting they were looking to obtain the rights to a Broadcast version of Annie to set around Christmas time.

dramamama611 said: "LIttle Shop WOULD be a great choice!"

 

Totally agree-  The only folks who'd be bothered are dentists



 

CATSNYrevival said: "Oliver? Sex and drugs are out but brutal murder is in?"

In the United States? Always.

Look at the MPAA ratings, year after year.

These discussions are good to have, but always make me worry that musicals as a genre are becoming defined in the popular imagination as children's entertainment; also, that for most people "family friendly" means only the most anodyne theater possible. I'm sure I'm not the only one here who's parents took me to lots of "grownup" theater when I was a kid, and it didn't ruin me or bore me (usually).