Popular Shows Unlikely for a Broadway Revival

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 2:09pm

I was looking at tickets for someone for the tour of "The Sound of Music", and thought that that is a show we won't see on Broadway for a long time. It got me thinking to other shows.

What shows do you think that are popular across the country in regional/community theatres (Into the Woods, etc.), or are extremely popular from a film (i.e. The Sound of Music) that we won't see on Broadway anytime soon, due to the fact that they are seen everywhere? 

 

[bdn223]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 2:56pm

Godspell considering that "Why pay $150, when you can go to a adequate community theater production for $10" was a common refrain throughout most of the reviews for the last Revival. 

In truth any if it fits the following it likely won't be revived anytime soon:

1. simple ensemble musical that doesn't have a radical reimagining,
2.  isn't a star  vehicle
3.  Wasn't written by Sondheim, Webber, Rogers and Hammerstein, or a Gershwin 
4. Doesn't have a hesvy political message that could become extremely relevant again.
5. Isn't a culture zeitgeist musical (West Side Story, Hair, A Chorus Line, Annie.)

Examples in my opinion would include: [Title of Show], 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Once, Bye Bye Birdie,

[5377brian]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 4:00pm

I would love, love, love a chance to see Parade, but I think it is both cost prohibitive and a bit too "real" for today's audiences to be a viable concern on Broadway.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 5:45pm

Audiences have been receptive to more serious material. Fun Home, Hamilton, Next To Normal. I'm not saying Parade would be a smash success, but I'd like to see somewhere like Lincoln Center, or even the Public Theater Off-Broadway put on the Donmar Warehouse revised version.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 5:49pm

I love Parade, but it's a downer. Unlike a lot of other "dad" shows, there's not even a glimmer of hope or the slightest hint of an uplifting ending to it. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 7:03pm

Parade is something like Sunday in the Park that would need a big star or two to be successful commercially.

i think we may have an Into the Woods revival. I wish Titus Burgess could play the Witch on Broadway.

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 7:23pm

I actually really liked the current tour of The Sound of Music. I thought the design was simple and beautiful especially the act one finale with scenery, lighting, direction, music and performances all coming together to create something I won't soon forget. It is directed by Jack O'Brien which perhaps in years past would have been enough of a reason to bring it back, but I agree that it maybe isn't a radical enough reimagining to merit a Broadway revival. There were a lot of things about it that I did enjoy quite a bit though.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 7:29pm

Alex Kulak2 said: "Audiences have been receptive to more serious material. Fun Home, Hamilton, Next To Normal. I'm not saying Parade would be a smash success, but I'd like to see somewhere like Lincoln Center, or even the Public Theater Off-Broadway put on the Donmar Warehouse revised version."

 

Seeing as Lincoln Center produced the original production (taking it over from Livent as they collapsed into the quagmire of Garth Drabinsky's shady business dealings) I can't imagine them being very open to producing a reduced version of the show. Especially as their past two musical revivals were praised for not skimping out and downsizing to make them cheaper or more cost-effective to revive.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 8:12pm

Billy Elliot will never be revived.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 8:48pm

I would've never imagined Cats making it back to Broadway. I like it, but it's very much a product of it's time.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 8:51pm

Wizard of Oz. Done all the time in regional and schools, but I can't see it making its way to Broadway, unless it's wildly reconceived. Especially with Wicked playing forever.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 10:05pm

I would add Ragtime to this list. The fact that the last revival (which I very much enjoyed) flopped so massively has probably closed the door on any revival for quite awhile. It's produced all the time regionally and audiences seem to enjoy it, however. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 10:28pm

Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, 13, urinetown all seem to be thriving with high school companies.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 10:43pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, 13, urinetown all seem to be thriving with high school companies.

 

The first three shows on your list will absolutely have revivals.  According to Marc Shaiman, a Hairspray revival is already being talked about (seems to soon to me, but I love that show so whatever). 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 11:00pm

Probably won't see another production of ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY anytime soon. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 11:05pm

Didn't you hear, hologram Stritch is going into rehearsals in three weeks

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 11:06pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Probably won't see another production of ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY anytime soon."

Not unless she downloaded her consciousness into that San Junipero virtual reality from Black Mirror.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 1/28/17 at 11:17pm

Speaking of Parade, I'd like to see what John Doyle could do with it.

[5377brian]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 8:05am

^^^^This.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 11:52am

The longest running play on Broadway is "Life With Father" and I can't imagine that would ever get a Broadway revival.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 12:05pm

I'd love to see what Bart Sher would do with Parade

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 12:19pm

All this talk of PARADE and nobody's insisted that Cynthia Erivo would "be brilliant" in it?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 1:58pm

I actually really liked the current tour of The Sound of Music.

I really did as well!  I felt like with a bit of tweaking, it could go to Broadway and earn success with the right casting.  I felt like the production showcased the strength of the material quite well.

Given the topic at hand, I'm not sure why Parade is being mentioned.  It's hardly considered "popular".

Billy Elliot will never be revived.

I don't see why not.  I imagine Aida will probably return as well, hopefully in a more cohesive and coherent production than the messy original.

 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 5:55pm

Jordan Catalano said: "All this talk of PARADE and nobody's insisted that Cynthia Erivo would "be brilliant" in it?"

As who? Lucille?

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 1/29/17 at 6:04pm

Les Miserables and Rent won't see Broadway again for a long, long time.