Spider Man: Release the OBCR Early

[ggersten]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 9:33am

It may be a bit of high stakes gamble - but then isn't everything with this show. If the music by Bono is any good, I'd release "singles" or the OBCR 30 -60 days ahead of the show opening. I realize that with tinkering, the songs may change, some may drop out - others get added. But, if the OBCR is released early and because of Bono get some air-play or itunes sales, it would build up interest in the show. I'd expect to see some music videos of Bono and the actors providing a taste of the show. I thought historically, at least Funny Girl released "people" before it opened on Broadway and it was a big hit before anyone had seen the show. Don't know if many other shows have taken this tack - but given the tepid reviews of Superman in Dalls, I wonder if the producers - or whoever is nominally in charge other than Taymor - will take this step.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 9:53am

Yeah! And while they're at it, release OBCR's for THE MAMBO KINGS and LONE STAR LOVE!

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 10:20am

Yeah, with Bono's name behind it, that doesn't seem like a bad idea at all.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 11:32am

It would more likely be "Songs from Spiderman: performed by Bono and the Edge, Sting, Cyndi Lauper, Josh Groban and so on with one song sung by an actor from the show." I like your idea, though. It calls to mind the concept-ish album for Ragtime the first go round.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 12:01pm

The cast recording will get no airplay at all. After dropping the career momentum ball with the misstep that was "No Line on the Horizon," and the fact that Larry and Adam are embarrassed by Bono and Edge's involvement with the project and have vetoed the other two's idea to have U2 record all the songs (because it's "not a U2 thing"), it will languish in cast recording no-man's land.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 2:07pm

Yea, No Line On The Horizon was a huge disappointment. I didn't realize that Larry and Adam were opposed to Bono and the Edge doing Spiderman.

But I can see why.

[philly03]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 2:13pm

"It would more likely be "Songs from Spiderman: performed by Bono and the Edge, Sting, Cyndi Lauper, Josh Groban and so on with one song sung by an actor from the show." I like your idea, though. It calls to mind the concept-ish album for Ragtime the first go round."

That's what Frank Wildhorn's The Civil War did; while they had a lot of country singers (it was / is mostly country music), they managed to get some Broadway people on there such as Linda Eder (by default obviously) and Betty Buckley! I think they also did a full concept with more of a Broadway focus. Regardless, it worked to a point but it wasn't like it got any big airtime, and both CDs are out of print now!

I do think this would work to their favor, however, especially since money is clearly NOT an issue.

[Justaguy2]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 3:37pm

Paul Simon did this with "Songs from The Capeman" too.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 3:39pm

There have been a lot of these types of recordings. Both Starlight Express and Whistle Down The Wind did one. And The Life (Cy Coleman) did one too.
Aida had one also.

Updated On: 6/27/10 at 03:39 PM

[chellie]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 3:44pm

I don't know that this ever works. It seems good in theory, but I don't think that liking a song or two translates to people willing to go see a show.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 4:15pm

Lone Star Love has one, as well.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 4:29pm

Lone Star Love is not the recording of the pre-Broadway cast. It is the original off-Broadway cast recording.

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 4:30pm

The Lion King OBC recording was released the first week or before the first week of previews. It's been a while so not quite sure but, I saw Lion King the 1st week of previews and I know I had the CD already. Maybe Julie has something to do with it?

[romgitsean]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 4:44pm

Spiderman...just close...just throw in the towel. For the love of all things good.

[philly03]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 7:47pm

Well the legitimate concept album through the stages has worked... Jekyll & HYDE managed a four year run that I can't think isn't due to the large sales of, well, TWO concept albums and coverage by people like Liza Minelli among others who used to sing the songs as well. It worked for The Scarlet Pimpernel, if ever slightly, as well... that actually spurned a radio hit single.

Evita also had their concept album out that generated a lot of buzz for it back in '70s as well. Something like A Tale of Two Cities worked negative... people began comparing it immediately to things like Les Miserables.

Frank Wildhorn has always mentioned he thinks it's a formula that works, and well as the king of flops, and he still manages to get shows produced... I don't see why it doesn't. At a budget of $50+ mil, why not spend the extra $500,000/$1mil on a concept album?? It's not like any bad judgement could hurt the show any more...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 8:13pm

Stick a fork into the bird, this turkey (Spiderman the Musical) is "cooked". from RC in Austin, Texas

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 9:32pm

Lloyd Webber showed the power of the concept album with Jesus Christ Superstar. That album spawned countless illegal productions before the Broadway premiere some two years later. It generated an interest outside of the normal Broadway crowd at a time when Broadway had lost its foothold in the realm of pop-culture.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/27/10 at 11:54pm

Don't forget that Elton John and TIm Rice's AIDA also had a concept album FULL of music industry stars, long before the show's OBCR was released.

A good idea, I think, if the music is good. If it's an ounce questionable whether or not the score will take on, then they shouldn't do it. It can't take any more bad buzz.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/28/10 at 9:48am

I think the separate issues are if it'd a good idea to do an all-star or a U2 version of the songs and will it get airplay. No version will get airplay. That's all I'm saying.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/28/10 at 11:35am

For what its worth "Written In The Stars" was a modest hit for Leann Rimes (off the Aida album).

I don't think that had any impact on the success of the show however.

[newintown]

Posted: 6/28/10 at 11:41am

Pointless. There won't be enough interested theatre-goers to sell this thing out at full price for five years, which is what they need to succeed. An advance recording won't change that.