CurtainPullDowner stole mine. Rachael Lily Rosenbloom had a huge following during its brief run. I understand Legs Diamond had a similar following due to the utter dreck.
Reefer Madness
Swing Joined: 5/11/04
SMILE The Musical! I think it doesn't really count as a cult musical because most people have never heard of it .... but it's a forgotten musical and thats ALMOST the same thing. Plus the musical is wonderful.
And orangeskittles - "Stage Door Manor summer camp for spoiled pubescent theatre geeks" That was a bit rude and out of line, wasn't it? I actually attended Stagedoor Manor for a few years, and believe me, I was in no way spoiled. Are you jealous you couldn't attend? Cuz they had scholarship programs if you were talented enough to get one. And theater geeks? You are on the BroadwayWorld message board ... pot calling the kettle black, much? Maybe we keep our rude comments to ourselves, yes?
In response to orangeskittles' question, yes, Signature is doing [title of show] later this year.
INNER CITY
Loved Inner City
Unfortunately, RCA gutted the score by releasing it on 1 LP
Another cult classic is "Rockyabe Hamlet" . It was a trip is all I will say. No cast album but I do have the 10 song LP & a cassette made from the theater sound system live.
Jemstar, compared to a place like Signature Theatre, yes, Stagedoor Manor is merely that. I don't there's much prestige in a theatre program which requires no audition process to get in, just a $5,000 check from the parents. So yes, spoiled theatre geeks, not necessarily talented actors. Certainly not Tony winning actors like Signature. And no jealousy here, I have never had a desire to be a performer.
regnad kcin, thanks. I had checked, but not posted.
I attend most shows at Signature. Some are misses for me, but most work well for me. If they are indeed doing a lesser known contemporary show, I am all for it (provided they don't mutilate it like they did See What I Want to See with their cast selection).
Baby? I like the music, but most people aren't familiar with it.
Marilyn...An American Fable
Many people consider our show, THE LAST SESSION, done off-Broadway in the late 90s to be a cult musical. We just had a small reunion concert this past week. I just posted three videos from that concert on my blog. Link below. Just scroll down a few entries.
Living in the Bonus Round
Runaways
Working
A huge cult musical in the UK is Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens. It's performed pretty much every year at the Edinburgh Fringe Fest and it had a West End run a few years back cut short by licensing disputes. Often it is treated much like Rocky Horror with audience members showing up in costume and the show has an environmental feel with all the action staged inside a bar. I'm surprised it's not staged more often in the US. It's a fun, campy, sci-fi disco/rock murder mystery.
PS - I love The Last Session! Our theatre in Houston had a successful run of the show years ago and I saw it three times.
I remember the first time I was in New York I bought The Last Session cast recording from a street vendor. Will have to listen to it again.
I agree with orange skittles....Something like the Signature is a much more respected company then a "theater school." That being said... I still will say it once and I will say it again.... CARRIE CARRIE CARRIE.
But some of the other shows... like Baby & Smile are both excelent choices.... I love both of them. Of course, they would never do it but I think they should attack "Dance of the Vampires"
Besides being associated with Sondheim, they're also associated with Kander and Ebb. Maybe it's Steel Pier? Could that be considered a "cult musical"?
How about:
Gutenberg! The Musical!
Taboo
On the 20th Century
I've subscribed to Signature for years and found most of their work to be very well done. Likewise, I received the same letter with hints about their upcoming season and was curious about the Sondheim they're planning. It says one that they've never done before. As far as I can tell, they've done everything except Saturday Night, Road Show, Anyone Can Whistle and Frogs.
Dance of the Vampires is off-limits pending a reading of a new English version in NY some time this year.
NEXT TO NORMAL
andi don't know if this counts but I think Wicked probably has a large cult against it.
"Dear World", and "Mack And Mabel"
gschuber -- I came up with the same list for Sondheim shows that Signature has not done, except that in 2008 Signature did put on a concert version of Anyone Can Whistle. After seeing Frogs at Lincoln Center, and reading the reviews of the Road Show, I'm not sure I'd be enthusiastic about either of those, but maybe Eric can work his magic.
My definition of a 'cult' show is one that failed at the box office, preferably miserably, but touched a small audience so strongly that they become obsessed with it. The first shows that came to mind were Taboo and Side Show.
They're doing [title of show] this year.
regnad kcin - I saw "Road Show" in Chicago when it was called "Bounce". It was just ok. I didn't think it was bad, but I didn't think it was great either. I bet the show is "Anyone Can Whistle", but I'm hoping it's "Saturday Night".
Signature is doing Chess.
My definition of a cult show is one that is esoteric (appealing to a specific group) so strongly that the group sees the show multiple times and becomes somewhat obsessed by it. I'm not negatively criticizing the group because I was part of it for two different shows!
Hedwig
Rocky Horror - the movie, NOT the theatrical production
Videos