Chorus Member Joined: 12/15/15
mc1227 said: "jenn3258 said: "Nefertiti said: "White Christmas gets my vote.
Patrick Wilson as Bob Wallace, Zachary Levi as Phil Davis, Laura Benanti, Laura Osnes could really shine if it ever had to happen
And who besides theatre fans would be tuning in to see this cast?
Are you serious about Patrick Wilson alone???
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0933940/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
He has a nice big fan base behind him. And I think same can be said about Levi or better Matthew Morrison. Casting White Christmas wont definitely be a problem for them.
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Understudy Joined: 8/8/15
The title White Christmas is enormously popular especially at this time of the year. Besides the film, the stage adaption also enjoyed huge success with a production still touring, and frequently done by regional theater groups. So if it ever had to be done, it would definitely generate interest even by non theater fans just like Sound of Music did.
That being said, I think it would definitely create more excitement than the one we are getting for 2017.
I still don't understand the necessity to do these shows 'live' as there are just too many technical problems to overcome.
I love the fact that any musical is being shown to so many people at one sitting but the gimmick of a live broadcast smacks of reality TV building and cooking shows where everything has to be completed in 10 minutes.
Remove all the[obvious] mistakes,improve the camera angles and lighting and then possibly the dialogue would not seemed so rushed and the jokes land where they should.
Bye Bye Birdie-fine with that but how many actually watch only because it IS 'live' ?
Would LESS watch if it weren't live?
How many go to car races hoping to see a crash?
I'd be shocked if Darren Criss isn't Conrad Birdie given the response to people being upset he wasn't actually in Hairspray Live.
Not that my opinion matters, but if Criss plays Birdie I will NOT be watching this.
I actually do think that the live component is a big draw.
QueenAlice said: "I actually do think that the live component is a big draw.
Our love of live theatre is why we are on here but these live productions have the feel of an out of town tryout-especially the dialogue[Hairspray].
I must say though I had a smile on my face throughout most of Hairspray-the dancing and singing was just so joyous and energetic.
"
I would TOTALLY love for them to do legally blonde since I'm obviously obsessed with it lol but I would also love to see RENT . I know most people think it's played out but I absolutely can't get enough of it
^ Rent doesn't exactly scream family television.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/15/15
My choices for Bye Bye Birdie
Rosie DeLeon: Jennifer Lopez, Albert F.Paterson: Patrick Wilson or Matthew Morrison, Zac Efron: Conrad Birdie. Becca Tobin:
Understudy Joined: 8/8/15
BlackElleWoods said: "I would TOTALLY love for them to do legally blonde since I'm obviously obsessed with it lol but I would also love to see RENT . I know most people think it's played out but I absolutely can't get enough of it
It feels like a merry go round. I do understand that everyone is going to route for their favorite show, but why turn to titles that were already shown on television. Peter Pan, Bye Bye Birdie, Legally Blonde,Rent, all of these titles were already done for TV and I don`t think they need a remake, unless they are aiming these only for theatre fans. One of the reasons that both The Sound of Music and Grease scored the way they did was because they were well known titles done for the first time. Unless they are going to continue casting really big names for Bye Bye Birdie, future for these broadcasts are really at stake.
Danster said: "BlackElleWoods said: "I would TOTALLY love for them to do legally blonde since I'm obviously obsessed with it lol but I would also love to see RENT . I know most people think it's played out but I absolutely can't get enough of it
It feels like a merry go round. I do understand that everyone is going to route for their favorite show, but why turn to titles that were already shown on television. Peter Pan, Bye Bye Birdie, Legally Blonde,Rent, all of these titles were already done for TV and I don`t think they need a remake, unless they are aiming these only for theatre fans. One of the reasons that both The Sound of Music and Grease scored the way they did was because they were well known titles done for the first time. Unless they are going to continue casting really big names for Bye Bye Birdie, future for these broadcasts are really at stake.
"
When was RENT on TV?
Featured Actor Joined: 1/26/08
I still think doing "A Christmas Story: The Musical Live!" would bring in ratings and it's a great show with a fantastic score.
I am bummed they continually do shows that have had film or TV adaptations previously made.
Please give me A Christmas Story: The Musical Live
Understudy Joined: 8/8/15
GreasedLightning said: When was RENT on TV?
Rent was officially filmed live on Broadway and I think it was shown on PBS Great Performances. As much as I love Rent and think it needs a Broadway Revival, I don`t think it needs another television remake. Rent, Les Mis, Phantom and Miss Saigon needs to be experienced live in theatre but kept away from the camera.
Understudy Joined: 8/8/15
How can they do it better than this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjUgJbjU8N4
Cfried said: "I know it won't happen, but NBC really needs to shelf BYE BYE BIRDIE LIVE while they still can. It's just the wrong choice for so many reasons...I really don't want to see this tradition end. "
You're out of your mind. The 15 second promo during Hairspray had the title "Bye Bye Birdie" trending on Twitter nationwide for almost the entire telecast. NBC was probably thrilled with the buzz created by that short promo.
The delusion of some on this board will never cease to amaze me. Jennifer Lopez in BYE BYE BIRDIE is a major coup for NBC. Lopez is a big, international star who will attract audiences across the demos (young people, older audiences, Anglo, Hispanic and black audiences, etc). Not only that but her presence alone will attract top talent who might otherwise have not been interested in taking a part in this similar to how the producers said that casting Meryl Streep in MAMMA MIA allowed them to convince stars like Colin Firth and and Pierce Brosnan to become involved. They will not reconsider the show, they would be fools to do that.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/15/15
I think its a bit late and do not see a reason for NBC to cancel the show especially having Jennifer Lopez on board. However they do need some other big names ala Zac Efron to attract more audiences. They can't afford to fail again after Hairspray.
Understudy Joined: 8/8/15
Found some articles that are surely an interesting read. It is something that I fear and hope wont happen after Bye Bye Birdie
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/1598410/what-do-hairsprays-ratings-mean-for-the-future-of-live-musicals
http://www.forbes.com/sites/leeseymour/2016/12/08/why-do-nbcs-live-musicals-keep-tanking/#65da039b332f
With the Sunday in the Park news, I wonder how Gyllenhaal would be as an Albert? He's a year younger than Levi, but he has an older look I don't know if Albert needs.
I dont think he would have any interest in doing BYE BYE BIRDIE -- especially not for television. He'd probably be great though.
They should've known HAIRSPRAY was not the right show to do. People forget that HAIRSPRAY opened in Las Vegas with much ballyhoo in 2006. It couldn't stay open for four months... Las Vegas is sort of a microcosm of Middle America...and getting more "family" all the time. HAIRSPRAY (and also AVENUE Q) did not play well to that audience...
I agree with the previous poster who made the point that shows that have been done for television before (BYE BYE BIRDIE, etc.), will not draw the audiences necessary to keep this tradition going. I also agree that it's time for NBC to find some new producers.
Not many people are aware that Bye Bye Birdie was previously done for television. Things like Music Man, Annie and Cinderella, sure, with Disney on board plus they were given home video releases that were better distributed and advertised than Birdie was.
jacobsnchz14 said: "Not many people are aware that Bye Bye Birdie was previously done for television. Things like Music Man, Annie and Cinderella, sure, with Disney on board plus they were given home video releases that were better distributed and advertised than Birdie was.
While this may be true to a certain extent, the George Sidney directed film adaptation has always been readily available. Granted it isn't a faithful by-the-numbers adaptation but most of middle America doesn't know that or truly care. They'll just think: "I saw this already..."
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