ORIGINAL Broadway Musicals.

So last night I realized that almost all recent shows have been based on an excisting work. Theres a huge amount of shows that are opening or in the works that are based on popular movies (Legally Blonde, Spamalot, etc). Theres even talk of a Shrek musical. Now these shows might be very good, but im concerned that there is no more originality on Broadway. Last seasons only truly original musicals, Caroline or Change and Taboo were big flops. Avenue Q was totaly original and a success! This season has given us The limited run of The Frogs, and Brooklyn which is apparently just god aweful. Theres also a ton of "jukebox shows" opening. I dont know about all of you, but can someone write a brand spanking new musical, based on a completely original idea! We used to get them all the time in Broadway's Golden age. Where are they now? So I started a game with my friend of how many recent (1990-present) musicals that were totaly original. Not based on a movie, book, tv show, story, or a Jukebox show.

So Start naming some! Also, what are your thoughts on this issue?

What I mean by original is: Not based on a movie, book, tv show, story, or a Jukebox show.

I know nothing is completely original, but it defiently seems like most things opening soon are totaly un-original things.

I think that, with the exceptino of Broadway's early Golden Age, original musicals have always been a rarity, so this lack of shows based on original material isn't anything new. Adaptation has always been something that fueled musical theatre. What's disturbing these days is how many new musicals seem to be cardboard cutouts of their source material, rather than take that material as a starting point.

---

btw...I reallyhad to think about them...
nice question!

Rent isn't original. It's based on La Boheme...

The Last Five Years
Songs for a New World

Some original musicals (just off the top of my head...I should really go to bed....that rhymes...):

Avenue Q
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Caroline or Change
Urinetown
The Last 5 Years
Bare
Sunday in the Park with George
Company
Hair
A Chorus Line
tick tick...Boom
Into The Woods (I know I know, it's based on fairy tales -- but it's really a reworking of them, not a retelling)
Bat Boy
Zanna, Don't!
Company
Follies
Assassins

(I don't really count Taboo because its narrative was based on a person's life, and is in particular inspired by parts from Boy George's biography.)

---

Well Company is actually based on a series of plays by George Furth about marriage, so it doesn't count.

These are based on the life of a person, but not a piece of literature: Barnum, Evita, Funny Gril
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is loosely based around the story of a Texan brothel.
Bye Bye Birdie
Bells Are Ringing
Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk
Chess
Chicago (i think)
City of Angels (I also think)
Crazy For You
Dreamgirls (I'm still thinking)
Grease
Guys and Dolls

and I will be back with more...

Roughly based on the lives of a hollywood couple : Mack and Mabel
The Mad Show
Nunsense
Pacific Overtures
Roar of the Greasepaint, Smell of the Crowds
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Salad Days
Stop The World I Want To Get Off
The Will Rogers Follies was based on his life...


and I am spent

Er...oh. But I thought the french film of La Cage was based on the play! *runs off to check*

Okay, on the back of the case (yes, I have the original French La Cage in my dorm room) it says "based on the play by Jean Poiret."

Just goes to show, eh?

I didn't know about 42nd street. Okay, so I'm just...wrong. Interesting.

---

I forgot, of course.

---

Pippin
I Love You You're Perfect Now Change
BARE

Millie was based on the movie.
This season there are few orignals.