Posted: 5/24/20 at 6:54pm
Merrily we Roll Along. I know it's already been posted but this is one that every musical theater fan and their mother seems to know, and yet, it's considered obscure. I think it's most likely because of the show's rocky history, but I think the theater community has more than embraced this one.
Posted: 5/24/20 at 9:00pm
I think it's most likely because of the show's rocky history,
It ran for sixteen performances. That's rocky.
Some good tunes helped to give it a second and third chance.
Posted: 5/24/20 at 9:00pm
I think it's most likely because of the show's rocky history,
It ran for sixteen performances. That's rocky.
Some good tunes helped to give it a second and third chance.
Posted: 5/25/20 at 1:11am
MackTheKnife2 said: "...I do believe Kurt Weill is up there with Porter, Rodgers, Berlin andKernas the best composers of Broadway’s Golden Age, as most people will agree, I'm sure...."
There's no question that Weill ranks in MY top tier of the mid-20th century. I just didn't want to start an argument here with people who might find it heresy to rank him with Irving Berlin.
I agree with both you, Mack, and OldBlueEyes.
Posted: 5/25/20 at 11:19pm
The two that come to mind for me are Dogfight and Songs for a New World- every young person is obsessed with them but thinks they are 'obscure' because of their limited off-broadway runs, but then they are heard non-stop at every audition and concert by that one high school theater kid who knows a little more about theater than his or her wicked loving peers.
Bridges of Madison County comes to mind too in that it had a short run and was not well received by some, but the theater community in general seems to all love the music.
One last one is Falsettos- which I would say was moderately obscure before the last revival and then picked up a big following who would still claim it to be niche/obscure even though it's not really anymore? Now, In Trousers on the other hand...
Posted: 5/26/20 at 11:33am
Posted: 5/26/20 at 12:24pm
rattleNwoolypenguin said: "
Let’s be real all Sondheim is obscure to people outside of theatre"
So false. Sure, not everyone can repeat the lyrics to Passion or Road Show verbatim, but EVERYONE knows Sweeney Todd - even the most non-theatre people in the heart of the Midwest. In large part to the Burton film, but that's Sondheim's work. And TONS of people know Into The Woods, thanks again to the film, but this one is incredibly popular with high schools and community theatres as well. I've even seen productions in rural Iowa that went over very well. I think a lot more people are familiar with Sondheim than the "theatre elites" like to believe. His name specifically may not be instantly familiar, but they know "the man who brought you Sweeney Todd and Into The Woods."
Posted: 5/27/20 at 11:36am
Great Comet. The amount of theatre kids I've met who think they're the only ones who know about this show that did fairly well on Broadway and starred Josh freaking Groban is insane.
For an actual obscure show, first thing that came to mind was [title of show] although that's also debatable, since it also didn't do horrible (I think?) and inspired Now. Here. This. which I would say is almost a spinoff.
Posted: 5/27/20 at 6:09pm
Bridges of Madison County comes to mind too in that it had a short run and was not well received by some, but the theater community in general seems to all love the music.
Look for an elaborate 10th Anniversary concert production, starring Kelli O'Hara.. It's Kelli O'Hara's favorite thing she's ever done on Broadway and I think she has the influence to make it happen.
