Revised version of SMILE getting workshop

[Almira]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 3:45pm

Happy news for SMILE fans like myself.

A revised version of the short-lived 1986 Marvin Hamlisch-Howard Ashman musical Smile, set behind the scenes of an American beauty pageant, will receive a New York reading later this month.

Richard Biever will helm the private Nov. 19 industry reading that will reflect revisions made to the musical by Hamlisch and Ashman following its Broadway run. Isaac Harlan will serve as musical director.

Biever told Playbill.com that the reading will reflect the licensable version that is available from Samuel French. After the Broadway production shuttered, the creators drew on their earlier instincts for the piece, and Biever tells Playbill.com that the licensable production "is essentially the script and score of the workshop, pre-Broadway," which casts a darker tone on the material.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/144664-Casting-Announced-for-Reading-of-Revised-Version-of-Broadway-Pageant-Musical-Smile

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[twinbelters]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 7:31pm

Great news! I wonder if Hamlisch will be involved, because historically he's expressed little interest in revisiting his flops.

[Almira]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 8:58pm

I'm guessing that Hamlisch at the very least has given the workshop his blessing.

The fact they are going back earlier versions of the book really interests me. I always thought SMILE wasn't as "tough" as it should be.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/5/10 at 10:33pm

Might it fare better Off Broadway?

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 12:05am

Interestingly, the revisions are not going to be "NEW" revisions, it sounds like- they're going to be professionally staging the licensed version of the show to see how it plays, since it has never had a major production.

I think it could still use a little bit of work, but it's a pretty solid piece of work compared to the Broadway version!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 2:19am

I just love this musical, even though I remember a lotta people didn't like it at the time. I worked there during the entire run and really enjoyed it. Whatever happened to that MARSHA woman? She was great! However I think the MOVIE is waaaay more fantastic in tone and and the height of satire. I don't think people "got it". MIchael Kidd was fantastic in this film!

[tourboi]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 2:34am

Off Broadway? THe cast is HUGE! There's no way it could recoup.

Saw this version performed a few years ago. Personally, I found it tedious and boring. But if they've made further changes, I hope they find success with it at the end of the day. The only song I remember liking, or rather unable to get out of my head, was the opening, and Disneyland.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 11/6/10 at 5:20pm

They better use a glossy live orchestra.

[Jemstar86]

Posted: 12/12/10 at 2:04am

Has anyone heard anything from the reading of SMILE? I t was supposed to have been on the 19th of November and I don't recall hearing a peep!

[Overkill]

Posted: 12/12/10 at 2:13am

I somehow missed this news! I LOVE this show. I always wanted Alan Menken to put his hand in it and see what he could pull out. I always felt like it was his show, just because Howard Ashman gave it their feel.

I love this! I'd like to hear how the reading turned out.