Starlight Express

So, let me get this straight. ALW wrote musical about cosmic choo-choo trains? And this was a hit? I checked the ALW website and saw some pics, did anyone see it either in London or at the Gershwin? I saw a brief synopsis, but I need details on this one. How was the music? This was way before my time, but I just have to know more about this show.

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I liked the show much more than cats that's for sure....um but I'm bad at explaining music, but I'd did enjoy the title song.

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yes I'm familiar with Musetta's Waltz, from La Bohème, what of it?

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^Read my sig.


Skip over "Make Up My Heart" on the CD, since you've heard it. Just do it. Don't ask. Don't let curiosity get the best of you.

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Basically, it is just Power Rangers on rollerskates the musical.

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I LOVE the German Recording of the show.

Don't ask me what though I like it since I tend to really dislike ALW's other 80s works.

For some reason 'Starlight Express' works for me. It is light and fluffy but very entertaining.

Oh Starlight Express. It will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the first Broadway tour I ever saw....back in 1989. I thought the tour that went around then was pretty good! The recent tour, however, was a giant mess and I couldn't even believe what I was watching!!! It's not a great show, but as a former figure & speed skater (on roller skates), I was always fascinated by it. :)

I was even in an "illegal" production of it where we had a huge bridge on stage and ramps into the isles. We skated down one isle, around the audience, through the lobby and back up the other isle to the stage for the race. So much fun!!!

Updated On: 3/9/07 at 09:01 AM

It is based on "the little engine that could." And all the characters are toys, by the way. The races are fabricated by their child owner. Rusty, a steam train with no self confidence has to take on the Elvis Deisel Train and the Electric train AC/DC in a series of races. The mythical Starlight Express arrives and shows Rusty that HE has the power to win the races and believe in himself (and get the girl). The original OLC album is quite charming (yes, there are some dud songs), but the Bway version destroyed the charm and I haven't investigated the subsequent revisions. There was a "Memory" in the show called "Only He" but that power solo went away for Bway. Yes, its a little cheesy but it is a family show with spectacle, a neat set and fun numbers. It wasn't trying to be the next Evita. It has been called "CATS on TRacks" as well.

I saw it at the Gershwin. I was a teenager then. I liked it because I was in the first row and they skated two inches from my face, so that was exciting. It was not a great show, or even a good show, but it was fun for a teenager. And I knew someone in it so that was exciting for me as well. But I don't remember any of the songs, except for the title song...I wouldn't go see it again if it came back to Broadway. It was more of a spectacle than a quality Broadway show. And if there was any storyline, I don't remember it at all. Just people skating by me at warp speed.

Updated On: 3/9/07 at 09:38 AM

I saw it when I was little and loved it to death. Then again I was like eight so if I saw it now I would probably have a completely different reaction.

I also saw the touring company in DC in 1990. I think SE is much much worse than Cats (and I kinda LIKE Cats). There are a couple of nice songs, and one beautiful stage effect with lasers, but otherwise it was embarassing.

And I've mentioned this before, but the tour with the 3-D movies in lieu of the races was one of the worst theatre-going experiences of my life.

no i'm not 13, im actually 20. But i wasn't born when the show opened up in London, and entirely too young for theatre while it was around in the 80s. how old are you like 70? lol

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