What Broadway "flop" would you like to see revived?- Page 3

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 1:11pm

The definition of a "flop" has absolutely nothing to do with the number of performances. The clinical definition of a "flop" is any commercial production that fails to recoup. It's that simple. Just change (remove) your wording to be consistent with the actual definition and no one will bother you about it. It's important for those not as familiar with commercial theatre to understand the use of the word "flop" is not subjective - it's factual. The production either recouped all of its initial investment (capitalization) or didn't. Don't be annoyed with other people correcting the record for you. 

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 1:52pm

Liza's Headband said: "The definition of a "flop" has absolutely nothing to do with the number of performances. The clinical definition of a "flop" is any commercial production that fails to recoup. It's that simple. Just change (remove) your wording to be consistent with the actual definition and no one will bother you about it. It's important for those not as familiar with commercial theatre to understand the use of the word "flop" is not subjective - it's factual. The production either recouped all of its initial investment (capitalization) or didn't. Don't be annoyed with other people correcting the record for you. 

 

"

Now that you got that off your chest, what flop would you like see revived, darling?

[Ranger Tom]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 2:00pm

Ah, such pissiness on the defining terms.  Since the OP was "Broadway" flops, I will add Rocky Horror.  Only 45 performances (even after hitting it well in London and LA - I'm sure Richard O'Brien and original investors have recouped ).  Henry Sweet Henry would be one I'd like to see.  Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.  Philemon was Off-Broadway - we did it in the mid-70s and loved the score.  I know it doesn't fit either the OP but, we can argue about that too.  Children of Eden too.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 2:07pm

I second Dear World. I wish the production Betty Buckley did a few years back would have transferred. She sounded magnificent in the clips I've heard.

Another one I'd be interested in seeing out of an appreciation for the score is Ballroom. I suppose that rumored revival with Tyne Daly must not be going anywhere given how long it's been since we've heard anything about it. 

And last but not least, I'd love the chance to see a revival of 70 Girls, 70. The score is a ton of fun, and the passage about it in the book Colored Lights made it sound like a real gem.

Updated On: 7/31/16 at 02:07 PM

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 2:38pm

TheSassySam said: "Liza's Headband said: "The definition of a "flop" has absolutely nothing to do with the number of performances. The clinical definition of a "flop" is any commercial production that fails to recoup. It's that simple. Just change (remove) your wording to be consistent with the actual definition and no one will bother you about it. It's important for those not as familiar with commercial theatre to understand the use of the word "flop" is not subjective - it's factual. The production either recouped all of its initial investment (capitalization) or didn't. Don't be annoyed with other people correcting the record for you. 

 

"Now that you got that off your chest, what flop would you like see revived, darling?"

 

Probably any production that played over 300 performances but failed to recoup its initial investment.... darling. 

[Felm_heart]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 3:20pm

I'm just waiting patiently for the day when Cynthia Erivo stars in Caroline, Or Change.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 3:34pm

Felm_heart said: "I'm just waiting patiently for the day when Cynthia Erivo stars in Caroline, Or Change."

Oh my gosh. Same.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 3:49pm

Liza's Headband said: "The definition of a "flop" has absolutely nothing to do with the number of performances. The clinical definition of a "flop" is any commercial production that fails to recoup. It's that simple. Just change (remove) your wording to be consistent with the actual definition and no one will bother you about it. It's important for those not as familiar with commercial theatre to understand the use of the word "flop" is not subjective - it's factual. The production either recouped all of its initial investment (capitalization) or didn't. Don't be annoyed with other people correcting the record for you. 

 

"

The definition of "flop" may not be subjective, but it also isn't ordained by God on High. The OP defined his terms in his first post. That should be good enough for anyone participating.

And FTR,  there are critical hits that fail to recoup commercially (almost every Sondheim show and every single opera of the past 100 years), there are institutional hits that pay off, but only because of government subsidy, there are cult hits that recoup only after years, when everyone has stopped paying attention, there are slow-moving hits that eventually recoup only through subsidiary rights.

In many cases the public doesn't even know when or if a show finally recoups. So to insist on one, narrow definition is foolish consistency.

Now I agree the 300-performance definition is problematic, mostly because many big hits before 1943 ran only till the summer heat arrived and then left to go on tour. But anyone beginning a thread, discussion or debate should be able to define his/her terms and should be commended for doing so.

[#1CarrieFan]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 3:54pm

In no particular order: Parade, B. C., Bridges of MC, Carrie, Merrily we roll along.

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 4:12pm

Mr Roxy said: "Over Here

I am pretty sure it ran more than 300 performances, but I second you.  I absolutely loved the show.  Saw it 5 times.  Just couldn't get enough.

Others I would add:

Hallelujah! Baby! and Darling of the Day from the same season.  The Happy Time from the same season would also be a great candidate in a scaled down production, as done by the Signature Theatre in Va. 7 or 8 years ago.

Drat!  The Cat -- wonderful show with delightful score

The Grand Tour -- underappreciated Jerry Herman

Cyrano -- the Christopher Plummer version, and give the lead role to...Hugh Jackman.  Will turn it into a hit and almost guarantee him a third (?) Tony

Chess -- the Signature also did a scaled down version of this that was excellent.

i never saw Rags, but would love to, even in a staged concert version.

Only revive King of Hearts if you can re-create the magical sets, especially the church roof.  I enjoyed this show, but felt it was perhaps the only time wher it was okay to leave the theatre signing the sets.

Re What Makes Sammy Run, I give that a major yuk.  Hated every second of it...such a bore.

Re Mack & Mabel and Merrily, only with a completely re-written book.

Re Marilyn, there was also a London show of Marilyn, which was much better, but whose creative team must have seen Evita 50 times.  That I would sign up for.

 

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 4:24pm

LI'L ABNER was not a flop by any definition given here. (At least not on stage; I don't know about the film.)

I'd love to see BRIDGES OF MC run off-Broadway. The cast is small for a musical and the story is intimate.

I recall CARMELINA having some book problems late in Act II, but, Lord, what a score!

And I know it's fairly recent, but having now see GREY GARDENS, I'd love to see a revival of FAR FROM HEAVEN. I think the latter has the better score and more compelling story.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 4:57pm

I'd love to see Amour come back.

More realistically, Caroline, or Change.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 5:03pm

I  stand corrected re Abner

Seesaw would be good but who the hell would do the Tommy Tune part?

 

Updated On: 7/31/16 at 05:03 PM

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 8:14pm

Wow, people are listing a ton of shows here that were agony to sit through the first time -- Dr. Zhivago, 9 to 5, Leap of Faith, Marilyn An American Fable...  I can't imagine wanting to relive those dreadful nights all over again.

Magnificent score aside, I thought RAGS was a lost cause when I saw the original production. Same with BALLROOM, which didn't even boast a great score save the one brilliant number "50 Percent". 

My favorites suggestions include:

GRIND

THE RINK 

PARADE

THE SECRET GARDEN (was that a flop?)

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE

GRAND HOTEL

DEAR WORLD (but please banish the abhorrent title tune)

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (why has that never been revived on Bway?)

Do I think any of these revivals would be a newfound hit? Maybe only the last.

 

 

 

Updated On: 7/31/16 at 08:14 PM

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 8:22pm

Young Frankenstein, it has potential.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 8:46pm

The Wild Party. An exquisite musical with one of the greatest scores of the past 16 years. With a movie star as Queenie (as long as you're a great actor with a pleasant voice, you can pull it off - the score is quite easy to Queenie) and maybe Chita as Doloras? Zachary Quinto as Jackie perhaps? The possibilities are endless!

 

Gaveston, I must disagree with you re: Far From Heaven. While the cast recording is mervoulous, I find too many songs to just be dissonant jazzy filler, especially compared to Grey Gardens - where every song (excepting "Goin' Places" is fantastic. But Far From Heaven has server all standouts and Kelli is phenomenal.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 9:07pm

definition of flow: If its on the wall at Joe Allen's, it's a flop!

 

but please don't revive Home Sweet Homer, or Doctor Jazz or Shogun the musical or Marlowe the Musical or Starmites..  These flops have no redeeming value and are some of the worst shows I have ever seen.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 9:29pm

DEAR WORLD, with its entire score intact, thank you. Maybe some work on the book...?

KING OF HEARTS; such a beautiful score! Too bad it opened on Broadway during a newspaper strike and NO Internet...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 10:22pm

King Of Hearts for Encores

Grand Hotel & Grind YES

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 11:36pm

"DEAR WORLD, with its entire score intact, thank you."

Perhaps MichelleCraig needs a reminder of its title tune:

Someone has wounded you, dear world,
Someone has poisoned you, dear world.
And those who love you defiantly insist
That you get off that critical list.
So make your recovery quick, world,
We're sick of having a sick world.
We want you dancing tomorrow afternoon,
So be a dear world,
Take the stitches out, dear world,
Rip the bandage off, dear world.
And get well soon!

Please take your medicine, dear world,
Please keep your pressure down, dear world.
Promise to thrive on each word your doctor speaks,
He'll bring the roses back to your cheeks.
For you've been a pallid and blah world,
Stick out your tongue and say "Ahh," world.
We'll give you plasma and tonic, by the spoon,
So be a dear world,
Take your medicine, dear world,
Keep your pressure down, dear world,
And get well soon!

Please keep your fever down, dear world,
Please keep your courage up, dear world.
Your vim and vigor is very sorely missed,
He'll bring the roses back to your cheeks.
Help us declare you "Patient dismissed."
And stand on your crutches with pride, world.
You've got to save your own hide, world.
We'll bring you lilacs until you're back in tune
So be a dear world,
Keep your fever down, dear world,
Keep your courage up, dear world.
And get well soon!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 11:39pm

Hallelujah No way as it is to dated even though it has a killer score.

Darling should be done by Encores as doubt it commercially viable.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 11:44pm

Okay, I'm with most of these choices, but reality check -- some shows, like PARADE only played on Broadway under a not-for profit umbrella, and others GRAND HOTEL, which played over 1,000 performances don't really qualify as "flops" -- under rated, or ripe for revival: yes; but not flops...

[hork]

Posted: 7/31/16 at 11:44pm

I'd like to see Aspects of Love and, if we're counting shows that ran a while but still didn't recoup, Titanic. And I'd love to see Chess done right, but that seems like even more of a pipe dream.

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 8/1/16 at 12:14am

The original into the woods didn't recoup  , did it? I would love to see a revival of that based on the original London production ( at least in terms of set design). The 2002 revival cast was awful bar Laura Benanti.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 8/1/16 at 12:18am

I believe the original productions of INTO THE WOODS and COMPANY are the only two Sondheim shows that have recouped on Broadway.