Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
#1Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 10:06am
I say this in light of the closing announcements for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and LEND ME A TENOR due to the contract expirations of its leading actors/actresses....Do producers really believe that their original stars are irreplacable, and replacements could hurt the show?
This thread has probably been done ten times over, but I felt the need to make a new thread in light of these upcoming closings.
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dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 10:13am
Obviously the PRODUCERS feel that way for those particular shows.
Memphis has no stars. Wicked has no stars. Phantom has no stars.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#2Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 10:41amI got a bad feeling that, come September, this will be the fate for PROMISES, PROMISES...
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#3Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 11:04am
Well of course it depends on the show.
There are a lot of new musicals that are both critical and commerical successes without a star. N2N, ITH (excepting Corbin's replacement casting) to name two recent shows.
But when a show is concieved (especially revivals) on the strength of a name(s), then unless the producers are able to get a name of equal recognition there probably won't be an extension past contract dates.
ALNM is a brilliant piece of musical theater, but it wasn't sold as a revival of a classic, it was sold as a showcase for CZJ and Lansbury.
This is more reflective of the marketing than the quality of the show.
It will be interesting to see what happens to Promises once Sean and Cheno leave.
....but the world goes 'round
#4Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 11:06amWhat tazber said.... :)
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
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philcrosby
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
#5Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 3:49pm
Why qualify it with "nowadays"? No one followed Ethel Merman into any of her shows on Broadway ... and even though "Anything Goes", "Annie Get Your Gun", and "Gypsy" are all revived to death, they never escape the shadow of the one and only Merm.
The runs of years were a very rare occurence until the late 50s, early 60s, when Fiddler and then Dolly beat Fair Lady for long-run champ. And then A Chorus Line (also very cheap to produce) broke the mold forever after.
Of course, in those days, a show could earn back its investment in a couple of months (at ticket prices of about $4 each) and reap in profits in one season. Now shows can run years and never recoup.
BlackCabbiTabbi
Stand-by Joined: 5/9/09
#6Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 8:25pmAre Hayes and Chenoweth leaving in September? Do you know what date?
#7Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 8:32pmUgh, this topic again?
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AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#8Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/22/10 at 9:54pm
And the original production of Hello, Dolly! also had its fair share of star replacements, Merman, Ginger Rogers, Pearl Bailey, Betty Grable.
Star casting is certainly not a new trend.
#9Nowadays, is a show only as good as its stars?
Posted: 5/23/10 at 1:57pmAnd Merman not only stayed for the entire Broadway run of GYPSY, she immediately went on a six month tour in the U.S. No one does that today!
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
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