Starlight Express on Broadway

I recently fell down the rabbit hole and have been watching footage from some of the original Broadway and London productions of Starlight Express. In another mood, I would think this show was pretty terrible, but lately I'm feeling generous and have decided that it's terrible in a delightfully entertaining way. I would have loved to see it for the spectacle alone. It had to be like watching Springtime for Hitler.

Did anyone see the original New York production, and what was it like? Was it good, bad, or bad in a good way?

Also, is there a cast recording of the original Broadway version, or at least a recording that captures the version as it appeared on Broadway? It seems like a show that's undergone so many changes that the original doesn't even exist anymore.

I was totally enamored by the Starlight score and the premise. I remember riding Amtrak between Chicago and NY to see Starlight and other shows: Les Miz and a preview of Into the Woods.

Thinking back, it was a fun spectacle.

I saw thew show at the Gershwin, but I don't remember much about it. Here's the Broadway press reel:

Updated On: 4/25/22 at 07:46 PM

The show ran quite a bit longer in London than it did on Broadway. There are several different versions of the show. I think the 1992 London revamp was the best version. The version being performed in Germany now is so far gone from the original and 92 versions it should probably not even be called Starlight Express anymore.

Saw the Broadway production. John Napier's set was a wow. It was VERY loud. After the first few minutes I was bored out of my mind. And there seemed to be nothing but one silly race after another. Just when I'd think it was almost over.... "It's race time" again.

Updated On: 4/26/22 at 09:57 PM

Saw it on broadway when I was just discovering my love of musical theater and loved it. Its an awfully stupid show but the set was phenomenal! Three levels with massive ramps and a moving bridge. There were 2 sections of seating built into the stage, sort of like at Moulin Rouge. Whenever a race would start these plexi walls would rise up around those sections for safety. During the pre-show there were a couple of toy trains that ran along a track.

Oh, and don’t forget it featured Andrea McArdle and Jane Krakowski. Jane was very cute and funny as Dinah, the dining car, she was ditzy and wore a 50’s type diner waitress costume.

I saw it in August 1988 and loved every minute of it!

Updated On: 4/27/22 at 02:02 PM

I saw it in London and I thought the damned thing would never end.

I almost left at intermission. I asked the usher if act two were any better. She hesitantly said yes and I stayed. I should have left and had a Sidecar at a nearby pup.

Excruciating experience.