Shows that were considerably changed after their Broadway run

[TimeToDither]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 8:28pm

Are there many shows that were considerably re-written (mostly really speaking of the material itself rather than any fiascos like the recent Shrek tour) after their Broadway run? The Addams Family comes to my mind.

I'm asking because I think if the authors of Lempicka rewrote some scenes and lowered some of that insane belting, they could have a nice show that'd get performed at drama schools or ambitious regional theatres. Not sure if it'd get licensed a lot outside of these?

Or are most shows that don't work just abandoned to find more money elsewhere?

[pmensky]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 8:43pm

Chess, The Little Mermaid, and Ring of Fire immediately jump to mind.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 8:58pm

Merrily (to name an obvious one)

Almost Famous did a post-Broadway workshop at the O'Neill but I don't know how substantial the rewrite was.

Jagged Little Pill had some, right? (some of which were done during the Broadway run)

[Voter]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 9:02pm

Tarzan and Aida

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 9:06pm

Seussical was scaled down.
Bat Boy and Heathers swapped out new songs for their London productions.
 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 9:31pm

CABARET has changed quite a bit since the original 1966 Broadway production. The 1998 Broadway revival incorporated songs from the 1972 film adaptation and cut several songs from the original score. 

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 9:40pm

The Scarlet Pimpernel and its 897 versions.

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 10:29pm

Starlight Express

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 10:35pm

Grease

Chess 

Rocky Horror ( has now just descended into over the top camp ) 

 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 10:38pm

Frozen swapped out a song and (at least for tour and West End) redid some of their scenic design.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 3:21am

Follies has been tinkered with quite a bit since its original Broadway incarnation. Most notably its original West End production saw several songs replaced and some pretty significant book changes

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 6:37am

The Addams Family was reworked between Broadway the first national tour launch.

[Broadwaydah]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:39am

The shrinking of Les Miz.  Lion King dropped some stuff in the last decade I think. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:49am

Smile was completely retooled from the campy Broadway version into a darker and more introspective piece prior to licensing.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 8:46am

Chess was changed FOR Broadway, not after it... right? It just reverted back to the original West End version after that, or is it now a blend of the two? It 

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 9:22am

Amelie was significantly reworked for its UK premiere, and I believe that is the version of the show that is now licensed.  The score was modified quite significantly and largely re-orchestrated, and I think it's just wonderful.  I haven't seen the show, but just by comparing the cast albums, it seems they really cracked the code on it in London.  It would be great if the show one day got another chance in New York with the revised version. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:02am

When Mean Girls was about to bring in their next cast in 2020 after the OG leads left, they did rework a lot of the show. Moments when Cady addressed the audience (like the voiceovers in the movie) were removed. Certain lines were changed. I have a feeling that will carry over to the West End production. 

[Tenor8674]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:16am

FLORA THE RED MENACE was rewritten in the 80s and it's now licensed as such. For those interested in seeing it, Forager Theater in Long Island City, Queens,  NY, is doing the show the first weekend in May.

Updated On: 4/23/24 at 11:16 AM

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:33am

Rentaholic2 said: "Amelie was significantly reworked for its UK premiere, and I believe that is the version of the show that is now licensed. The score was modified quite significantly and largely re-orchestrated, and I think it's just wonderful. I haven't seen the show, but just by comparing thecast albums, it seems they really cracked the code on it in London. It would be great if the show one day got another chance in New York with the revised version."

 

The licensed version uses the rewrites from the UK production, but retains the Broadway orchestration.

I agree, the UK production is like a whole new show, it's gorgeous.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 12:00pm

As someone in the minority who loved Finding Neverland, the first half-hour or so never worked.  I saw three different versions, the one in Cambridge, in NYC and the subsequent National Tour.  Sizable changes were made in each iteration, but they never solved it.  Kept on trying, though.