WONDERLAND to Close on Broadway; Plays Final Show May 15 — Page 3

"Wow, it's hard to believe that something lasted less time than Cry-Baby did at The Marquis"

Nick and Nora had a run of just nine performances at that theatre. It also managed to receive a Tony Award nomination for best score, long after it had closed.

I think blaming the book for this disasterpiece is a little too easy. This was not Wildhorn's worst score, but by all accounts the book for the Broadway production was written around the music instead of vice versa. If the music had served a purpose, told a story, deftly illustrated a moment, or done any of the dozens of other things great musical theatre songs do, it would've been a strong enough skeleton to hang an evening of theatre upon. Instead, we got lots of generic ballads (no surprise there, Wildhorn), and an endless parade of nauseatingly sly multi-culti pastiche.

It's foolish to expect Wildhorn to work with the same notoriously focused collaborative energy as, say, Sondheim, but at this point it's pretty clear that whatever method he's been employing for the past fifteen years isn't working. You can't just show up for an afternoon, **** out 15 melodies, fling them at a show doctor, collect your paycheck and leave *cough WILLIAM FINN BONO THE EDGE cough*

I think it's stupid that the WONDERLAND ppl are closing it without knowing how it'll do in the busy Summer/Tourist season.

I think it's stupid that the WONDERLAND ppl are closing it without knowing how it'll do in the busy Summer/Tourist season.

They know, love. That's why they're closing it, yeah?

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The show was never meant to be a faithful adaptation... original scripts had Alice related to Alice Liddell (before and surprisingly during the first Tampa run), but it was scraped because of Janet Dacal (workshops conducted with Brandi Burkhardt & Lauren Kennedy).

I like the idea of a modern Alice, I have always loved the concept, and I will say agian - this production does no justice to what the original message and concept of the piece was. It never tried to be some sort of huge meaningful piece either - just some great tunes, an interesting story and a heartwarming ending about learning to balance youself, your loved ones and your ambitions!

I'm glad I saw it but I did want to take my family to see it over the summer too.

I've heard a Broadway run is a selling point for a touring version, but this was a pretty short run.

The First Wives Club

The show must have a very small advance for them to close it so quickly. I join with a few others here in saying I thought it would last through the summer, at best. It's a shame that another theatre will be dark this summer.

as for it's next tenant, anyone else think Elf should take the Marquis if it returns.

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Jump for Joooooooooooooy!!!

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Because when the show opens to critical success in Europe it sounds fantastic to say "straight from Broadway!"

The show in previous incarnations was literally so different in so so many ways. The Broadway production was open cold turkey!

i am pretty sure the Drowsy Chaperone made money there...so what curse are you talking about?

@wendilin622

For the 35 student group:

think with these musicals there should at least be a chance to get the whole group in for a halfway decent price:

- Catch Me If You Can
- Memphis

With these it is basically guaranteed:

- Million Dollar Quartet
- The People in the Picture

I would probably go for Memphis, if possible. It's an entertaining, well-meaning show with a lot of energy.
And I am aware that many people don't have a high opinion
of Memphis. But basically all people I know really liked it.

Updated On: 5/11/11 at 01:37 AM