Sondheim's Success

#1

Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 5:30pm

Quick question: which of Sondheim's shows have been commercially successful?

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"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."

#2

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 5:34pm

Of the shows for which he did the music and lyrics, A Funny Thing Happenened on the Way To The Forum was his biggest box office hit, running 964 performances (the most of any of his shows) spawning two revivals as well as a movie version.

Of shows that he only did the lyrics for, West Side Story obviously was the most successful.

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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: 5/21/05 at 05:34 PM

#3

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 5:36pm

Gypsy and West Side Story are obviously his most well known musicals but not so sure about the biggest box office hit. Margo probably got it right.

#4

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 5:38pm

I believe A Little Night Music made money.

#5

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 5:40pm

Well, the film version of West Side Story, is one of the most popular, well-known and successful film musicals in history worldwide. But, I wouldn't really call it a "Sondheim musical" since he only did the lyrics (and neither would he) -- the contributions of Bernstein and Robbins are the most memorable aspects of that show.

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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

#6

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 5:41pm

Other hits:
Company
A Little Night Music
Into the Woods

#7

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 5:42pm

Sorry, I misread the question as being MOST commercially successful, not just commercially successful. Forum, Company, A Little Night Music and Into the Woods all turned a profit (as did West Side Story and Gypsy).

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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

#8

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 7:48pm

Ace! Thanks for the facts. Another question, which of ALW's shows have been commercial successes on Broadway? There are some obvious ones (e.g. Phantom) and some that are clearly not (i.e. the ones that didn't even make it to Broadway, the hideous Beautiful Game) but I'm unsure of some of the middling shows.

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"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."

#9

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 8:38pm

Superstar, Evita, Cats, Phantom and Joseph were all profitable (at least in their original runs). Sunset lost millions. By Jeeves, and Aspects of Love lost money. I believe Starlight Express closed at a loss (because it was SO expensive to run). I think Song & Dance did too, but I'm not sure.

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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

#10

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 8:58pm

I believe Sondheim sent Buckley a bill for SONG AND DANCE.

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#11

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 8:59pm

I believe Sondheim sent Buckley a bill for SONG AND DANCE.

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#12

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 9:18pm

Cool! I am surprised at Sunset being a loss. Although it is one of my least favourites of his stuff. So am actually not that surprised. But Starlight Express? That's a keeper.

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"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."

#13

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/21/05 at 9:34pm

Sunset hemorrhaged money after Close left the show. It was ridiculously expensive and lost -- if I remember correctly -- something like $8 million and resulted in Webber closing down his Really Useful Theatre Company as a result.

Oh and Beautiful Game closed out of town.

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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

#14

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/22/05 at 6:14am

Thanks for that Margo, luv.

I knew about Beautiful Game. Don't blame them closing that one. It's such a dismal show. Has ALW actually sold his RUG or did he just float it on the stock market or something?

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"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."

#15

re: Sondheim's Success

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:18pm

This message's a bit O/T, but none the less

MargoChanning-WHere didja get your icon? I really like it.

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"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve