Superman

Being the comic book afficiando that I am, I have allways been interesting in learning about Superman's shortlived Broadway show in the sixties. I know it's not supposed to be very good, but any information on it would be much appreciated.

Wow, really? I'm surprised that they'd bother to put a CD out. From my understanding, there was also a TV movie?

There's a Superman MUSICAL!?!?

Who has the copyright?

There was a TV version of "It's A Bird, It's A Plane..It's Superman" in the 1970s on ABC-TV. Lesley Ann Warren was in it as "Lois Lane".

Updated On: 2/12/05 at 07:44 PM

I think this show would go over quite well today, what with the resurgence in the popularity of superheroes, camp, and family musicals.

Too shame that Batman musical never saw the light of day.

wow, you seem really enthusiastic about the album! Can't wait for it to come. I just ordered it.

I saw the show multiple times & it was utter joy

It got great reviews but simply did not catch on. It was fun. One number in the show, done by the Chinese acrobats, did not make it onto the cast album "Everything's Easy When You Know How"

The finale, in an abandoned powerhouse was awesome. It is Pow - Bam - Zonk. He battes the acrobats & at the finale , with the flying cable attached to one of them in the mayhem, Superman punches the guy & he sails off into space. During The Strongest Man In The World, while singing to Lois Lane, he is bending a standing light fixture. The opening Doing Good has him fly in to abort a bank robbery & throw a car into the air in the process

I wish there was a tape of this show not the ABC TV abortion

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Encores was initially set to do Superman, I think in Spring, 2002, but they decided that the subplot involving City Hall being blown up would not play quite so well after 9/11.

The show is campy fun, and there are some terrific songs. I've seen it on stage once, when Goodspeed did it probably more than a decade ago. It didn't quite work 100%, but it was a fun evening.

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in thinking about them "publicizing" It's A bird.It's a Plane...etc. with Bob Halliday on the gameshow TO TELL THE TRUTH, got me thinking.

Wasn't Bud Collier, the TO TELL THE TRUTH host the voice of SUPERMAN on the radio? That would be a fun coincidence.

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Thankssss so much Mr. Roxy!!!!!!!!!! You've Got What I need!

Come to think of it, I think Jason Grae performed it on his cd (along with Kaye Ballard) YOU'RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED...

I always enjoyed that song on the "Superman" recording and love the version done by Jason and Kaye Ballard.

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Who has the rights?

Who would be cast today if "It's a Bird.." was revived? I think it would be a lot of the younger talent, and someone would have to redo it to make Mex Mencken into Lex Luthor. But here's a few:

Max: Nathan Lane (It would be cool to see him as a villain)
Lois Lane: Jenna Leigh Green or Eden Espinosa
Sydney: Laura Bell Bundy

But who as SUPERMAN? I mean think about it... Cheyenne? Is he tall enough? Chris Sieber?

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and I think they would have to add 1 or 2 more songs for superman. he only really has 2 main songs...maybe 3 and they are not standouts either. I always saw Bebe Neuwirth as Sidney. I think if they gave her a big dance break in "You've Got Possibilities" she'd be great!