NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT: Do we REALLY need ANOTHER Gershwin musical?

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 12:30am

I mean, seriously, do we?

Aren't "My One And Only" and "Crazy For You" enough? And there's the new "S'Wonderful" for small theatres.

It's only going to use most of the same songs that were in the other two and I seriously doubt that the book is going to be funnier or more intelligent than the books of the other two. (Especially with DiPietro writing it.)

Here we are complaining about how new musical voices are being given a chance on Broadway and here we are recycling songs that are seventy years old!

And, if you are going to put old songs (from shows that have books that only existed to string together the songs in the first place), why is it only Gershwin or Porter songs that they use? Why not Berlin, or Rodgers and Hart, or Vincent Youmans?

[broadwayworldreader]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 2:23am

I agree. Why can't we just open another adaptation of The Wizard of Oz instead in the hopes that tween girls will throw themselves at this production too, totally playing into the pathetic world of Broadway commercialism with the sole intention of making money for producers....yea I would say that's more important than the history of the art form...anyone else?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 2:49am

This is the same way I felt about Sondheim on Sondheim. Another Sondheim retrospective? Weren't Side by Side by Sondheim and Putting it Together enough? No, it wasn't they had to also do something called A Little Sondheim Music. Talk about beating dead horses. What's next? Anyone Can Sondheim: A Karaoke Sondheim Tribute? GIVE.IT.A.REST.
Updated On: 9/1/10 at 02:49 AM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 2:49am

Double Post. Updated On: 9/1/10 at 02:49 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 7:31am

Posted in other thread.

Updated On: 9/1/10 at 07:31 AM

[PattiLover]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 10:50am

Why has there never been a Harold Arlen review on Broadway? Why is it ALWAYS Gershwin and Sondheim?

Posted: 9/1/10 at 11:03am

Is there a name for the condition that causes you to be outraged over really really really stupid stuff?
Updated On: 9/1/10 at 11:03 AM

[Calvin]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 11:34am

Glaaditis?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 12:02pm

@joekv99: I can only speak for myself. I am not "outraged". That assessment is pretty over-the-top. Am I losing sleep over it? No. It was only an observation.

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 9/1/10 at 3:34pm

PattiLover, I've heard that Sam Arlen who controls the estate is somewhat difficult to deal with. A shame, because despite "Over The Rainbow", Arlen is one of the great, long-neglected giants of American popular music.

Posted: 9/1/10 at 3:48pm

As far as I know you, aren't going to be rounded up and forced to watch it. Who cares if some producer wants to put together another Gershwin review. How does it impact your life in any way?

[AnythingGoes2]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 5:17am

It sounds good to me...

[mallardo]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 10:53am

Still, I get the original poster's point. These are essentially Gershwin jukebox musicals with songs culled from all over the place. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Craig]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 1:10pm

sondheimboy2-

Why would anyone think you were outraged? Hmmm How about your use of CAPS in the subject line.

How about "I mean seriously, do we?" coupled with "aren't.... enough?" coupled with your use of an exclamation "here we are recycling songs that are seventy years old!"

Just saying that if you're not outraged - you are certainly posting with very very very strong convictions that this is a bad idea and you are dead against it.

I could think of many other ways to communicate my lack of caring for a new musicals.

That being said - and what I say about pretty much any new show is - who cares what the source material is or came from. It's in the execution. People should reserve true judgement until there's something to actually judge.

Updated On: 9/2/10 at 01:10 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 4:16pm

Craig:


Carlos-

Why would anyone think you were outraged? Hmmm How about your use of CAPS in the subject line.

I didn't start this thread and I didn't "create" the subject line.

How about "I mean seriously, do we?" coupled with "aren't.... enough?" coupled with your use of an exclamation "here we are recycling songs that are seventy years old!"

I never wrote "here we are recycling songs that are seventy years old".

I don't know why you chosen to address me on this and not sondheimboy2, the originator of this thread and the one who wrote: "here we are recycling...etc., etc."

:: Shrugs ::



Updated On: 9/2/10 at 04:16 PM

[newintown]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 4:37pm

Anyone remember that lumbering turkey The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm? The show that tried to turn Michael Berresse into a star? I'm glad that the survivors of that debacle included Patrick Wilson, Adriane Lenox, Sara Ramirez, and Orfeh, but it was just embarrassing to watch.

[Craig]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 5:49pm

Carlos -

So sorry - no idea why I typed your name when I clearly meant the OP. I've fixed the error....

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 9/2/10 at 5:55pm

" People should reserve true judgement until there's something to actually judge."

I think you've come to the wrong message board.