TRIP OF LOVE on Broadway?

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:53pm

Anyone know anything more about this?



Trip of Love to Play Pre-Broadway Engagement in Japan
http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/12484

"The dance musical Trip of Love will play a world premiere engagement in Osaka, Japan, in preperation for a planned Broadway mounting. It will begin performances April 4 at The Theatre Brava! in Osaka Business Park, with an opening set for April 14.

The show, created, directed and choreographed by James Walski, is inspired by and set to the hit songs of the 1960's, utilizing dances from 1960 to 1969.

The cast will include Bo Broadwell, Joey Calveri, Anika Ellis, Ashley Blair Fitzgerald, Kristin Piro, Rachelle Rak, Mahri Relin and Nicky Venditti. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

The production will include scenic design by Shusaku Futamura and James Walski and costume design by Gregg Barnes.

Walski has directed and choreographed multiple productions of Starlight Express, made his Broadway debut in the dance revue The American Dance Machine, and assisted Agnese DeMille on multiple ballets created for American Ballet Theatre.

For more information visit www.TripofLove.com."

Updated On: 1/12/08 at 11:53 PM

[246012]

Posted: 1/13/08 at 12:31am

I know that while there is a story line, there is no book...just singing and dancing. A great, ecclectic mix of '60s songs. John Berno (of Houston theatre fame) is also in it!

[kover22]

Posted: 1/13/08 at 11:50am

I think it sounds like a lot of fun and I hope it comes to Broadway. I loved the 60's!!!

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 2:47am

B-u-m-p.

[reiki2]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 7:50am

This sounds like a fun show, I hope it makes it to Broadway

Posted: 1/28/08 at 9:38pm

Also, soon-to-be announced principles Austin Miller (romantic lead), David Elder. A whole lot of Texans.

Great designers they have. Gregg Barnes is amazing. Clearly there is a huge bank account behind this project.

AM has eluded to it on his myspace page, but won't make an announcement before the producers. Haven't they already started rehearsals?
Updated On: 1/28/08 at 09:38 PM

[reiki2]

Posted: 1/30/08 at 9:40am

Wonder what songs they will be singing? The article in variety said it would be songs that everybody knows. Interesting concept, opening in Japan.

[lisa7]

Posted: 4/7/08 at 12:15am

A lot of good songs listed, and they have some clips up too. Looks like it will be an interesting show.

[FIERCEY516]

Posted: 4/7/08 at 12:19am

I never understood why they let Walski use STARLIGHT EXPRESS in his credits.

it was a terrible piece of theatre, all around. from the material to the production.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 4/7/08 at 12:31am

Worst title.

Ever.

[TheseBoots]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:06am

Actually, it's a perfect title for the show. You must not have done any research on the show to make a statement like that.

The show is about a modern girl in 2008 who is sent on a jouney back to the 60's so she can learn how to value love. A "Trip Of Love".

See now...good.

[lisa7]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 10:01pm

They have a nice flash into on the site now too with some scenes from show
Trip of love

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 11:44pm

TheseBoots,

You obviously have a connection to this show, so I apologize if this offends you.

HOWEVER, a good title doesn't simply summarize the plot. In fact, in most cases it shouldn't. The title is simply bland and unattractive, and way too general for a musical. "Trip of love" could be the basic plot line for a number of musicals/books/movies. It's like entitling a movie "Hero's Journey." It just doesn't work. The title really isn't creative at all, and sets no tone for the show. If the title is an indication of the writing, then this show might be in trouble.

Anyone else feel that way?

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 11:52pm

Well, ScaryC, for songs alone, the list of music was a nostalgia trip for me! (Yeah, I grew up in the 60's), but there doesn't seem to be a connecting point of view re these hugely divergent tunes of early, mid and late 60's. Also, the costumes don't scream 60s. That being said, I'm a sucker for anything 60s.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 11:57pm

Talk about an "out of town" tryout.
The girl in the drawing looks a little "AliceinYouKnowWhere."

[TheseBoots]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 8:36am

Hello All,

Not to get back up on my soap box but "Trip" is a dance driven 60's revue. There is no book or spoken word in the show. The story is told through the music of the era. As for the opinion that a title should not describe a show...CATS, Fosse and Swing worked pretty well. The entire show is a love letter to the music, style and movement of the 60's. It's not Chekhov and it's not trying to be.

I hope that anyone interested in great music and dancing, amazing sets, lighting and costumes will keep their hopes up that the show makes it's way to New York soon!

If this type of show is not your "thing" that's cool. Just don't knock it because it's not Sondheim. Also, yes the girl on the poster looks like you know who. The show's opening is a bit like "falling down a rabbit hole"!

[lisa7]

Posted: 4/16/08 at 12:26pm

I looked on the english side of the website and it says the international press opening is May 24th.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 1:37am

I haven't seen it but my friend did. First of all, why they chose Osaka as a tryout city? If they wanted to do it in Japan, Tokyo would be the place to be. But the producers chose Osaka, possibly they got some funding from the City, I don't know. OR they were worried that people in Tokyo are more familiar with a musical or theatre, and they may not get good feedback (but that's the purpose of the tryout right, to iron out the parts that don't work). Apparently they are papering like crazy.

My friend said that while singing was strong and good, there weren't many dance scenes as expected, and there's one scene that is weirdly erotic for "Alice" or the girl who travel through the 60's era. Also, in the beginning of act 2, they used Japanese drum (Taiko) which was very out of place for this show. I'm sure they'll take out for Broadway (if it gets there).

[singerchick]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 1:23pm

What production of Starlight Express did you see? The Broadway production that garnered 7 Tony awards? The National Tour? The London production that ran for nearly 18 years? The German production that opened in 1988 and is still running? The Australian tour? The Japanese tour? The Vegas production that ran for 4 years? I just ask because every actor lucky enough to be working - and clearly Starlight Express has employed an amazing amount of singers, dancers and musicians - well any of those folks would tell you that they are proud of every credit on their resume. Clearly thousands upon thousands of theater goers enjoyed/are still enjoying Starlight Express. Not every show is for everyone, but to say that you can't understand why someone would list a credit from a show that has been a MASSIVE international and financial success...I gotta tell ya - I don't get it. Starlight has an awful lot of alumni out in the world - among them Broadway choreographers Joey McNeely and A.C. Ciulla; Broadway veterans Jane Krakowski, Andrea McArdle, Ken Ard, Mary Ann Lamb, Reva Rice - the list goes on and on.

And as for those slamming "Trip of Love" - how about SUPPORTING people who are trying to bring a new show to life? I know you people love theater or you wouldn't be on this message board! : Let's encourage art - embrace it, hope that it makes it and becomes the next "singular sensation". Every show that is a hit comes from humble beginnings. Without the brave producers, directors and actors out there trying to create new works we'd be left with only revivals, we'd have no shows like "Rent" or "Spring Awakening" or "In the Heights". BE KIND MY FELLOW THEATER LOVERS! Let's hope "Trip of Love" knocks em dead in Osaka and brings their 60's peace and love fest on home to New York!

[Patsy]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 10:24am

Thank heavens for people like you! It is vital that new works are created. Starlight, CATS etc... gave many people a lot of work during which some of us created new musicals. We are struggling to find producers open enough to produce them and congratulations to some one who has. The world is getting smaller. Better for Jimmy he is far enough away where he can work it out.
Rock a bye Hamlet, (A potential Gower Champion masterpiece) could have been brilliant, given a chance.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 5/5/08 at 10:40am

I encourage new shows to be worked on, but Trip of Love seems to be another jukebox show without any real plot. All Shook Up was silly but at least it had a storyline and was FUNNY.

Another friend of mine went to see the show (from Tokyo, mind you) and was disappointed that there weren't many dance numbers. And she was surprised that the theatre was half empty. She is a true theatre goer (goes to London, NYC and Korea to see shows) and she said she never saw a theatre this empty in Japan. So what's the purpose of having a try-out in a city that nobody attends the show??

[alex2]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 11:45am

Saw the show last night. It was sold out, even the balcony was packed. The audience clapped along to every song. They even clapped through some entire songs which I've never seen an audience do before. Clearly they love the music, but not that surprising since the songs were all huge hits in the 60's. I know some cast members, the management is not giving any tickets away, even the cast has to pay for them for guests. The producers apparently believe in building an audience and not papering the house. If last night was any indication, their plan seems to be working. Maybe the person above saw it when it first opened, but last night I was lucky to get a seat at all. It was wall to wall Japanese people.

[thatgirl712]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 1:31pm

Sounds great, lots of fun.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 5/6/08 at 6:13pm

It was packed? It's hard to believe but if it's true, there must have been group sales or something, as according to the person who went on 5/6, the theatre was 1/3 full. The other person who went to see on 5/5 or so, the matinee was sold out, so she went to the evening show, and the theatre was empty.

And the aforementioned friend (theatre goer) went the beginning of May (during Golden Week) and as I wrote, the theatre was empty. I assume they papered heavily in the beginning but now they stopped so the tickets aren't selling.

[Maria8]

Posted: 5/7/08 at 9:54pm

Hello everyone, I've lived in Japan for the last 5 years and yesterday was my wedding anniversary, so both me and my husband took the day off and went to the musical at 1:30 on Wednesday. I'm not BY ANY MEANS a musical expert, but both me and my husband had SO MUCH FUN yesterday!, the songs are great, I thought there was a great amount of dancing and the BRAVA theater was honestly PACKED, both the 1st floor and the balcony, also I could get the story line, it is kind of a trip on everything that was going on during the 60's, the Beatles, the war... I really wish these people the very best, I hope you guys can also enjoy it in the US.