Revival of Subways Are For Sleeping

As good as the score is, you generally do not revive a show that was a flop.

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I love, love LOVE "I Was a Shoo-In"!

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PalJoey, I also adore 'I Was a Shoo-in'! I adore the entire score!

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"Of course not. That's why there haven't been any revivals of:

CANDIDE (twice)
FOLLIES
LITTLE ME (twice)
11O IN THE SHADE
PACIFIC OVERTURES (twice)
SHE LOVES ME
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
ZORBA

and a rumored MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG"

Of course, a number of flop musicals have been revived commercially and a few of them have been commercial successes in revival, though I think most were financial failures in revival as well. And a number were revived by nonprofits with varying degrees of success.

Btw, the original production of 110 in the Shade did pay off during the post-Broadway tour so Variety classified it as a hit.

One difference between the shows mentioned above and Subways Are For Sleeping is that the show's authors didn't think it was a good show. And that may be why it was never licensed. I think the most we can hope for is an Encores! or Musicals in Mufti presentation.

A thread on flops that have been revived can be found at
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=972257#3626745

Pacific Overtures was only revived once.

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Yes...didnt think you would count an off-bway revival...carry on.

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LITTLE ME originally opened in November, 1962 during a newspaper strike. Even the brilliant Sid Caesar could not keep the show open past 275 performances, what with the strike keeping the reviews and advertising from the public. Reviews finally came out when the strike ended. Walter Kerr's review concluded: "Sum total: a blockbuster so genial it looks like a breeze." The show received 4 raves, 2 favorable and 1 unfavorable review. That's a flop?!!

The writers came up with a gem of a show. Music was by Cy Coleman, lyrics by the witty Carolyn Leigh, and the hilarious book was by Neil Simon. The co-direction and choreography was by Bob Fosse. This musical remains the funniest show I have ever seen. The failure of the revivals has to be due to the Sid Caesar replacements. I think James Coco was in one of them.

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Amazing.
For those who don't know, Merrick (the producer) found seven Average Joes in the tri-state area who had the same names as the major NY theatre critics. He took them to the show, got some generic raves out of them, and plastered them on a poster for a show that had been eviscerated by the actual critics.

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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! I am absolutely overwhelmed at the response. Thank you all for your comments. Rather than reply individually, I'll make this an en masse "THANKS." We were here in the City when Merrick decorated the subway walls with SAFS posters. And the quotes from famous-name-alikes. And the backlash from the subway system folks, thinking the show would promote bums riding the subway line.

Despite all that. I STILL love the show. And now I'll share with you an absolutely strange-but-true story. The book upon which the show was based is by Edmund G. Love. And ya gotta read the book! It is rich in detail. The musical takes but a few of the stories in the book. Mr. Love was homeless but kept up appearances like the characters in the musical. I must say that I'm obsessed by the book. And here's why. The book appears to be obsessed with me as well. Ok now, here's the story.

I was stationed in the Army for a wonderful two years at Fort Jay, Governors Island in New York harbor, off the southern tip of Manhattan. Those were the days when guys were drafted. So after I was assigned to the medics, I actually got a choice: to be stationed in NYC. One of the guys came into my barracks room with the SAFS paperback and asked it anyone wanted to read this (expletive) book. I wasn't paying much attention. But when he started to rip in up, I asked for the book. And so I read and re-read it. So now let's have a calendar page fx skipping through to a warm summer night in 2007. Wife and I are the Village and going through the tons of used books at The Strand. My heart leaped from my body as I came upon--YES!!!--the SAFS paperback that was torn on the side. It WAS the same book! So then I said I WILL get SAFS--or a musical like it--on stage--if I had to make up my own musical.

So the wife and I did come up with a musical, but not about the homeless. It's about business. I will share with you the lyrics to one song. Alas! I can't sing and play it for you.

"That Lovely Winter In Manhattan
When the snow began to fall.
I saw here standing by the subway
near City Hall.

I only saw her for a moment.
But I loved her for all time.
That magic moment in Manhattan
on the subway line."

That's enough. And that is based on a true story. I had lost her addres where she was staying at 13th Sreet & 6th Avenue. But I did see her get into the subway at Union Square later. I yelled to her before she got on the train.

We plan to make a video out of our show and get it shown here on community cable, which is very big here in Minneapolis.

So that's where we are. :)

Any comments?

BTW we'll be in NYC in March on business.

And let's not forget "Comes Once in A Lifetime", one of musical theater's greatest songs. I can't think of any musical in the last 20 years that has as rich a score as "Subways".

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Very good! That song reminds me of a similar song about NYC directions in "Wonderful Town." Can't exactly recall those lyrics.

"Swing Your Projects" in SAFS had extraordinary lyrics. And very well done by Sidney Chaplin.

Have a great night and day!
Music is God's greatest gift to we mortals. :)

Ah! Thanks for the information. However there was some recording technique fact though about SAFS. Can't recall.

Speaking of "Candide" and of Bernstein, we sure could use his talents again. Bring back Lenny! I'm hoping someone comes up with another "Wonderful Town" type musical.

BTW is there a revival going of WT or is there one upcoming?

Have great nights and days!
To Life!

jk