New Musical- Page 2

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 4:05pm

There have been some very good originaly musicals in the past that have not been able to succed and that is a shame.

[DestinyBeckoned]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 4:08pm

I would say that Ave. Q is original, I mean the rest of broadway uses humans, so just because humans have been used on TV before doesn't mean that show with humans are unoriginal. So why puppets? Besides, the concept of parody isn't really used that often on Broadway, is it?

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 4:21pm

Even though Avenue Q isn't based on Sesame Street it still uses the same idea (puppets) and the same bouncy kind of song so in my book I don't consider Avenue Q very original.

That's like saying Follies isn't original because its musical style is fashioned after that of Follies revues, or that (as I've mentioned) Urinetown isn't original because it uses the same Brechtian theatre motif, and its songs have orchestrations that reflect the 1930s.

Just because a musical is going after a certain style or mode (and that includes using puppets), doesn't mean it's not original. If that's the case, then there have never been any new musicals, ever, because everyone's fashioning themselves after the "Broadway" tradition.

Again, what makes a musical an "original musical" is a new storyline, new characters, and new music.

Updated On: 9/5/04 at 04:21 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 4:31pm

I don't need a lecture on Avenue Q's originality. You can't sway my opinion of it. I will be honest, I don't like Avenue Q. I don't like those bouncy songs. Sure one or two is fine but when every one or even almost every one it annoys me. I think musicals can be original without new characters too. I though Into the Woods was extremely original but hardly any of it's characters were new. But again, that's my opinion.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 4:37pm

We weren't debating whether you like Avenue Q or not, we were debating whether it's original material. I think it's pretty obvious that it is.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 4:44pm

Again only stating my opinion, as you are doing the same. I still don't think it is, I don't think many shows are but some are. Some are original because of the story (Into the Woods) some are original for characters (Ave. Q, yes I said Ave.Q) but I still don't agree it's completly original.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 4:48pm

What musical IS completely original, not drawing or inspired from any source whatsover, either as parody or allegory or reference? I can't think of any.

Actually, I think Avenue Q's PLOT is original, but (under your definition) its characters are not. The basis of the characters are parodies of Sesame Street or Muppet Show characters (ie. Rod and Nicky = Bert and Ernie, Trekkie Monster = Cookie Monster, Lucy T. Slut = Miss Piggy).

[pajamaboy]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 5:01pm

if you think about it, everything's based on something no matter what. inspiration is what keeps the world going, everything sparks another something's flame that burns for a long time until something else starts another one.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 5:09pm

That's why, for the sake of naming "original musicals" here, we have to clearly define an original musical as one with original characters and plot (ie. they're not directly taken from another source and plopped into a stage musical), and new original music.

Another one has come to mind: Hedwig and the Angry Inch, one of my favourite musicals, is wholly original.

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 5:16pm

bluewizard i agree with your point on avenue q's originality...it's right on the money.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 6:02pm

Just wanted to say that I've seen "Buena Sera, Mrs. Campbell" and it's truly awful. Why anyone would want to use it as the basis of a musical book is beyond me.

In the history of musical theatre (at least since Showboat in 1927), nearly every great musical was based on some previous source material -- typically a book or play, or, increasingly since the 60's, a movie. It's much easier to make a list of shows that were totally original, than to make the very long list of shows based on material from another medium.

Some of the totally original shows (not comprehensive):

The Music Man
Bells Are Ringing
How To Succeed In Business (the original book was a joke how-to book and had nothing to do with the story of the musical)
No Strings
Hair
Pippin (has nothing to do with the actual story of Pepin)
Company
Follies
Pacific Overtures
Sunday In The Park With George
Into The Woods (classic characters but the plot's original)
A Chorus Line
Dreamgirls (the Supremes connection is very, very loose)
They're Playing Our Song
Me and My Girl
City of Angels
Falsettos
Hedwig
Urinetown
Avenue Q

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 6:05pm

I love Hedwig. I know this is off broadway, but TICK TICK BOOM and Last Five Years are original ideas.

[Mattio98]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 6:06pm

I have high hopes for "Piece" which is completely original.

[FRANKEN]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 6:13pm

how about the jerry springer show?

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 10:56pm

I think there is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more original stuff on off-bway than broadway.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 11:27pm

Parade isn't completely original...it is, after all, based on a true story.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 9/5/04 at 11:56pm

Hmmm. That's a toughie.

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 9/6/04 at 12:48am

Is Miss Saigon based on something? Is that a stupid question?

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 9/6/04 at 12:52am

Miss Saigon is based on Madam Butterfly

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 9/6/04 at 12:53am

I actually didn't know that.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 9/6/04 at 1:02am

I think that A Chorus Line and Sunday In The Park With George are debatable Margo.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 9/6/04 at 1:04am

What was a chorus line based on?

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 9/6/04 at 2:15am

There are plenty of new musicals out there that are not on Broadway.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/6/04 at 2:25am

Jerry Springer is based on, well, the TV show.

Although I am not a fan of the show, I believe Avenue Q is original. The question asked if the show was based soley on a book, previous musical (revival), or movie.

Was Avenue Q a movie? No.
Was Avenue Q a book before the musical? No.
Was it a movie? No
Does Sesame Street deal with adult themes and situations? No.

I think it is safe to conclude that Avenue Q is an original idea, even with the use of puppets. People call it the "adult Sesame Street" because of the use of puppets and the idea of a street name as a title. Sure, that may have been a basis for inspiration, but the whole idea of Avenue Q was original.