RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

#1

RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 3:59pm

Would a revival of the musical RAISIN work? Sure it won the 1973-74 Tony for Best Musical and it an over 800 performances, but it was also the first Best Musical Tony-winner to close at a loss after winning the award. (Yes, I remember HALLELUJAH, BABY!. That show closed BEFORE it won its award).

Since the play A RAISIN IN THE SUN worked so well without music and is far more memorable than this show, would a revival of RAISIN be feasible? It would be a shame not to hear this fine score on some sort of Broadway venue again.

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Praying Decca Broadway will put "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" on CD!

#2

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 4:28pm

I would like to see a full blown revival since I was way too young to have seen the original production. I'm familiar with the score and it's a good one.

I think producers should really start looking to other shows that have yet to be revived instead of reviving "GYPSY" for the billionth time.

#3

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 4:32pm

I saw a benefit reading of the show last year for AMAS starring Norm Lewis and I believe that with just a little tightening of the book, the show could very well be successfully revived. And if they do, I hope Lewis gets to play Walter Lee -- the role fit him like a glove.

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#4

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 4:33pm

It wasn't that good to begin with.

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TWOGAAB "A Class Act" will never die!

#5

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:02pm

If Norm Lewis is in it, ill see it.

#6

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:03pm

I'll pay to see Norm Lewis sing me the telephone book.

#7

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:18pm

I personally would love to see a revival of RAISIN....I would also like to see a revival of PURLIE....I'm tired of seeing shows revived that have been brought back 1 or twice before.

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#8

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:19pm

Norm needs something to make him huge!!! Is it a full cast of African Americans?

#9

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:23pm

Seeing as it is a musical version of Lorraine Hannesberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN I would guess yes.

#10

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:30pm

The role of Karl Linder is played by a white man.

#11

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:34pm

Yes it is. But that's like what, one role?

#12

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:45pm

Yup. It's very true to the original play and the cast, save that one role, is predominantly black.

It's a great show and I'd love a revival, esp. with Norm.

#13

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:51pm

Why don't you just get the entire cast of Caroline, or Change and just rearrange the roles.

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BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"

#14

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 5:53pm

Well, Tonya Pinkins is a bit young to be playing Lena Younger at this point -- I don't think she could convincingly play Norm Lewis' mother without a whole lot of makeup.

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#15

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 6:00pm

How about Phylicia and Audra... in the musical (in the same roles)???

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#16

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 6:12pm

Not crazy about Phylicia's voice.

How about Lillias White (who was also scheduled for that AMAS reading, but had to drop out at the last minute) or Mary Bond Davis?

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

Updated On: 9/23/05 at 06:12 PM

#17

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 6:16pm

Margo --- me neither.

I guess I was thinkig of it as a gimmick... "You loved them in the play, now see them in the musical."

The original female lead won a Tony for RAISIN, I believe.

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"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#18

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 6:19pm

Yep, Virginia Capers won for Featured. A terrific character actress who just passed away last year.

I guess if Phyllicia won for the musical, she could use the same speech she gave last time.

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

Updated On: 9/23/05 at 06:19 PM

#19

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 6:19pm

Virginia Capers? Yes, she did. Beat out Michelle Lee (SEESAW) and Carol Channing (LORELEI) for Best Actress. Lots of one-name titled musicals during the 70s...

Janie Sell from OVER HERE! won Featured Actress.

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Praying Decca Broadway will put "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" on CD!

Updated On: 9/23/05 at 06:19 PM

#20

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 6:41pm

Are there any recording of Phylicia of her singing by herself...I've never heard her sing except on The Cosby Show.

I would like to see Audra...in Raisin

What about Melba Moore as the mother.

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#21

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 6:48pm

I should have put a little wink at the end of my previous comment Margo

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BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"

#22

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 8:42pm

Having seen a regional revival of this show, my vote is NO. The show just doesn't work as a musical. Adding music to a this play does not make it better. Except for the 11 o'clock number (sung by the mother),the numbers are not particularly memorable.

Sadly, the revival was supposed to have starred Nell Carter but she died several days before the premiere. Carol Dennis was hired to replace Nell at the last minute and did a very good job.

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"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"

#23

re: RAISIN, the Musical: Would a revival work?

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:48pm

I never saw the original but would love to see it. So I say yes to a revival. The original cast album is beautifully recorded and the old vinyl version hit my turntable many many times.