THE NEW MUSICALS...HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?- Page 2

[Arthur Mervyn]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 5:42pm

Why does everyone think Spamalot will be a hit? It sounds like a dull idea to me - just piggybacking on the spate of parody musicals and corporate movie retreads. The cast sounds promising, but I can't imagine those routines without the originals. And who is writing the score? Are they capable of sustaining a complex Broadway score or will this be another one of those score-is-barely-there-because-the composer-is-not-a-musician shows that we're expected to hail as a masterpiece because the lyrics make a pretense of being politically incorrect when they wouldn't startle anyone younger than 90? And isn't the book writer of the Seussical writing the book?

Great cast, but it excites me not a bit.

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 5:47pm

Idk lol. I just think it will be. Many people like Monty Python. The movie is very funny. Its a great adventure and I think has much potential. We'll just have to see :)

[eyeonbroadway]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:15pm

I'm not going to pretend to be the all-knowing voice of the "tourists" who apparently are pivotal to financial success on Broadway, but I don't think the typical tourist is going to get excited about ANY of the shows on your list...especially if the runs aren't long enough to establish themselves as gotta-sees. Brooklyn just as a name may have special attraction to New Yorkers, but no special endearment to anyone here in Grand Rapids. Little Women sounds too much like "literature" and, like Jane Eyre(which I liked)may sink under the assumption that it's going to be dry and boring. Spamalot sounds like a lot of fun to me because I love Monty Python...but I think the appreciation of that kind of humor is very limited...especially at $100 a ticket. Not too sure about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, but, unfortunately, All Shook Up and Good Vibrations may do the most "attractive" of the lot if marketed properly to the hinterlands. Everyone knows Elvis and the Beach Boys... God knows, I hate to see this drivel hit Broadway, but, out of the list, I can see them as the most likely tourist draws.

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:45pm

Just to start things off I just want to say that this is all my opinion, it is not fact:

I think Brooklyn will go the same route of Rent, well at least the target audience is the same, and with the constant good publicity before the show had even had it's first preview. I also think this will be one of the shows the critics will really help sell. This will also target the Avenue Q and Wicked audiences, hehe watch out for fights in the aisles (Hit, may start average and gain word of mouth)

Little Women sounds like it might be boring and plain, but with the star power of Foster that will help. This is definately targeting an older audience. (average)

Spamalot, has much potential and will definately compete with Brooklyn for the younger audience. I think this will be both the critical and audince smash of the season, but it better watch out for 'Brooklyn', this might turn into the next Wicked vs. Avenue Q
(Hit!)

All Shook Up will attract many elvis and Mamma Mia fans. Even though this show does not seem interesting to me, it might to others. I think it looks like a Bye, Bye, Bridie trying to be Mamma Mia! (I hate Bye, Bye, Birdie)...(Half Hit, seems like it will peek too early)

Good Vibrations, it is riding in the shadow of All Shook Up so it most likely will not get recognized well by audiences. Do I smell another Taboo? (Flop)

Sweet Charity: Cabaret fans have waited long enough, also it has the star power of Cristina Applegate, but will this pull another Boy From Oz? (Average Hit)

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:51pm

I agree with u Child, how do u think the wiz will do?

[beachie]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:54pm

"Too small of a theatre and I doubt much publicity."

Derek, I respect your opinion but this show got and will get a ton of publicity for several reasons.

First of all, whether you like him or hate him, by hiring Justin Guarini they got a ton of publicity through the newswires that normally don't report on Broadway much such as MTV.com and E!. As the producers have learned: there ain't nothing like hiring an AI finalist or ex-boybander to get free publicity. The AP story spread as far as Malaysia.

Secondly, Brian Wilson is due to release his long-awaited epic masterpiece about he same time as the show opening. So "Beach Boy Buzz' will be everywhere.

And last of all...and you better sit down for this one... the Beach Boy catalog of songs is owned by BMG who also happens to have first recording rights to American Idol. Apparently they had a 'Beach Boys' night on a recent Canadian Idol and I think you see where I'm going here. I just hope we're spared the horror of Brian Wilson whoring himself as a 'guest judge'.

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 6:59pm

Oh I didnt know they hired Justin. Maybe ur right then. That would get them much publicity. I happen to like him. He's kinda cute and is a good singer in my opinion.

Posted: 8/25/04 at 7:20pm

Beachie let me just bring you back for a second to the horrible record sales of Guarini, I think that will turn more people off to it than it will attract, in my opinion he has already gotten his 15mins a fame so soon I will start charging him overage charges. But, Beaches that is only my opinion and there is a good chance you will be right!

Derek2:

The Wiz: If you attach the 'Wizard of Oz' to anything it will do well, it will also attract 'Wicked' fans, but has the movie already turned too many poeple off to it? This will need all of the word of mouth and critical praise it can get (Average)

[beachie]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 7:36pm

Well he did better than Nick Lachey and JC Chasez who both enjoyed the video and push by their labels that Justin didn't. Yet I don't see people turned off by 'Charmed' because Nick's going to be in it or change the channel when they see JC on VH1. Most people just don't know enough about any of them to care.

Bottom line is I think the average tourist is going to hear about the show through the publicity it generates and go because they love Beach Boy music not because they vaguely remember Guarini from two years ago. I saw the show at Vassar and I hope both he and David Larkin return to their respective roles. I know Megan McGinnis is going to "Little Women" and the rest I'm meh about.

Posted: 8/25/04 at 7:52pm

Good point! Oh, so you have seen the show? and it was good? I do hope it does well, I always like to see good shows succeed!

[Sunfish]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:44pm

LOL...you guys are all NUTS!!! Other than Brooklyn, has anyone seen ONE scene, heard ONE song, from any of these shows??????

Why concentrate on what is going to flop? What is such great fun in that? Why not let the anticipation build, actually let yourself LOOK FORWARD to seeing some of these shows before you trash them? Another thread here is about why the Broadway experience is so special...to me, anticipation is part of it. NOt knowing what is waiting for you. My heart pounds with anticipation, and excitement, and nervousness, every time the curtain goes up on a production I haven't yet seen.

I know there have been disappointing shows but why plan on being disappointed? Why go in with dread? Or is there some perverse pleasure from being proven right that show after show "sucks"??

I just don't get it.

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 10:54pm

UR HEART DOES THAT TOO!? I was gonna ask that but I didnt want to sound stupid lol. I went to see Wicked on Friday and could barely hear the curtain music cuz my heart was beating so fast lol. Does that happen to anyone else. The other time that happened was when I saw Hairspray. I was actually getting annoyed, I was like "Damn! I cant hear" lol:)

[Sunfish]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:40pm

LOL...it settles down after the first scene. And if I've seen the show before, I know what to expect so I don't usually have that reaction. Unless it is one of the last few shows before closing. Then I'm a basket case, but for other reasons. (I don't "let go" well.)

But that's all part of the THRILLING experience of live theater, in my opinion. I would never go into a show hoping it would disappoint, be less than an amazing discovery.

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:49pm

whew, now i dont feel so alone :)

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 11:54pm

it won't last
not at all
he's too thin
she's too tall