Starlight Express- Page 2

[DickDeadeye]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 4:59pm

I think this is the only show I can think of where they can make all these changes to it, and I never get annoyed with it. I think that's because it's such a simple show, intended for younger audiences and all.

It may be fluff, but in the words of G&S' Patience. "...Oh, what precious nonsense." ^_^

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 5:38pm

So even though I now have a huge collection of Wagner opera, love things like Grey Gardens and on 37 years old, I'm still a HUGE Starlight fan. I remember getting the records out of the local library when I was a kid and being in love with it from first hearing. I managed to see the show on Broadway twice, three times in London, 53 times in Las Vegas, once in Mexico City, the Japan tour, both US tours and that tragic Starlight Express on Ice thing and even drove to Ohio to see the one and only high school production of it.
I have NO clue why even all these years later I love the show. I totally agree with all the bad things people say about it and yet I still will listen to it day in and out. I still have hopes of ALW doing SOME sort of video of the show because it's perfect for a ED release. I'd even go out and buy a 3D TV for it. It's sooo nice to find out that others still have a soft spot for the show. If you want to read a wonderful book on it look for a copy of Skating The Starlight Express. It's written by one of the principal skate coaches for the show. When he when into the closing of the original London production I got a little choked up because like the show or not that London set was amazing .

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 5:47pm

^I had no idea there was a high school production in Ohio?! Was it illegal or did they get permission from RUG to do it?

I also think it would be perfect for a DVD release and the 3D would be so awesome! Obviously, there should be a regular version on the DVD too for people that don't have 3D TVs. My only question is which version would they film? I'd prefer if they used the "Only He" duet, but I have a feeling they would use "Next Time We Fall in Love" or the new song by Alistair. There have been rumors of a DVD ever since they filmed Cats, but nothing has ever come of it.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 5:56pm

When Amblin Animation (Amblination?) were in talks to do an animated Cats, wasn't there also talk of an animated Starlight?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 6:02pm

^I don't know about that, but there was talk of Julian Napier directing a DVD version around the time of the last US tour when he directed the 3D race scenes. I'm not sure if that was ever official or it was just confusion over his directing the race scenes for the tour only. There is an imdb page.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 6:17pm

They obviously, IMHO, would have to add more of a narrative if it were a legit film and not just a video of the stage show (in which case I wish they'd not do the thing ALW did with his other videotaped productions using a soundstage, and would just use the stage in Germany). Without the spectacle of the live skating, etc, Starlight would be pretty hard to sit through in the movie theatre otherwise.

Dumb question, but is Julian, John Napier's son? (And backing it up, who the heck is Nick Coler? I always wonder when ALW is listed as a co-composer of music, like with that pretty bland Royal Jubilee song done with Gary Barlow).

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 6:37pm

^I assume he's related, but I'm not sure what his relationship is.

And I think it would be really cool if they got an "all star" cast together and filmed the show on the stage in Germany. If it ever happened though it would probably be on a sound stage like you said.

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 7:05pm

The Ohio production was legit. The theater director there petitioned RUG and they let them do it. It was actually REALLY good. They had the kids on roller-skates and everything. Even my boyfriend who had never seen the show ever liked it.

As for digging deeper to the meanings of the show I'll admit to having done some of that and while it's there I think it's there because I want it to be there and not intended in any way. Sometimes a child is just a child and sometimes not, but all art is subjective and there are times that I see a lot more in the piece then, I think, meets the eye but then Fright Is Great comes on and that snaps me back... lol.

For years seeing the LV production made me a sobbing wreck. No clue why, but the end of the mega-mix made me well up in tears. But then again I also had the same seat for the very next performance that same night so I admit I was a bit of an uber-fan. There were times I would be in Vegas a whole week and see the show 12 times. There was something to it that just made me feel wonderful. A full on escape of life into place where the good guy got the girl and if you just believed in yourself you could do it.
Some people like watching people on stage have a breakdown to get there emotional kicks, others get those kicks from simpler things. Still it kept me int theater and now I collect versions of The Ring Cycle, Show Boat and anything G&S ever wrote so to that end I thank it.

Oh and the Ohio production was MUCH better then Expresso Astral, (the production in Mexico City.)

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 7:42pm

Was much cut from Vegas to keep it at 90mins? How long did it run there?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 8:05pm

^Yeah. I've always been curious how they went from "Starlight Express" to "The Rap" without it seeming too jarring. I'm so programed to have an intermission at that point.

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 8:22pm

It went real smooth. I'd have to go back and listen to it to get the full song list but after the title song there were a few beats of down time and then the lights came back up for The Rap. I think the 90 run time was good for Starlight, just based on the thin plot, but I loved me the whole German production a well when I saw it there in the theater they built just for the show. It was like going to an amusement park. I also have all the promo pics for the Ohio school production somewhere. The costumes were amazing for a high school show.

[sophie72]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 8:26pm

Completely have a soft spot for this show. Not the best by far and I'm certainly no ALW fan, but e music was fun and this thread brings me right back to my 15 year old self. Saw this show on one of many broadway trips into NYC with my mom. Would love to see this revised soon-my 9 year old would have fun seeing it.
I've picked up the Broadway recording years ago and am now in the mood to give it a listen after all these years.

[DickDeadeye]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 8:33pm

You know, I'm sure I'd never be allowed to do this, but I'd love to get involved with a production, take a crack at the lyrics of a few of the songs, and fix them up a bit. For fun, I've created English lyrics for J-pop songs before, and I seem to have a knack for it. :)

This show also makes me want to learn rollerskating again too. Too bad there aren't any rinks in my area. Plus, I'm 31 now, so it might not end well for me. XD

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 8:52pm

That reminds me that for a time there was talk--it even made our local paper--of ALW opening a theme park, I believe in Vegas (maybe where the failed MGM theme park was...). I don't know whether to shudder or find cool the idea of a Starlight roller coaster lol. (It certainly is one of his few shows I could see easily turning into a ride).

[DickDeadeye]

Posted: 7/13/12 at 9:00pm

Who knows...ALW has certainly had some...interesting ideas as of late. A Phantom Sequel? That alone makes me shudder in disgust.

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 7/14/12 at 7:14am

^ DD I'd totally go at the show with you and fix the songs. There is so much that could be done.