In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
The more and more I think about it, the more I think HAIRSPRAY would be a great choice. Not only does it have a fresh feel to it, but it also can be, stylistically speaking, interpreted a variety of ways. Plus it offers a wide range of stunt casting and opportunities for POC. I know for The Wiz, some people like Latifah and MJB only rehearsed for a few weeks, and I think there's a few roles in Hairspray that big names could portray without having to dedicate the time to a multiple month rehearsal period.
Nick Jonas as Link, Amy Poehler as Velma and Taran Killam as Male Authority Figure? Maybe Latifah and Marsden could reprise their roles from the film.
In the age of On-Demand, there are very few real television events anymore, and NOTHING remotely like what they used to be in the past (108 million viewers tuning in to see R&H Cinderella in 1957).
Doing these shows live is one of the only ways to get an audience of 11-plus million viewers now. So I argue that there absolutely is a need for these to be live.
I do agree that with a comedic musical with lots of "laughs," they should consider having a studio audience. There is something almost spooky about doing live comedy in a silent vacuum.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
I just hope they don't do some boring show like Cinderella. Hairspray or West Side story would be great. They need to do a show with some edge to it. Something relevant.
And the broadcast has never been about the season. I see no problem with doing West Side Story.
Hamilton22 said: "I just hope they don't do some boring show like Cinderella. Hairspray or West Side story would be great. They need to do a show with some edge to it."
Pros: Good for families, familiar, opportunities for guest stars (Potiphar's wife, Pharoah), open to different interpretation, hunky male lead, catchy music.
The producers have been adament about not having a studio audience in interviews, in order to emulate the feel of the specials from the 50s. I think this is absolutely crazy if they want to pursue a real musical comedy in the future.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Oh sure, WEST SIDE STORY would be perfect for the entire family to gather around the TV and watch for good old fashioned holiday entertainment!
Two rival gangs duke it out in the inner city slums.
A virginal Puerto Rican girl falls in love with an ex-rival gang leader fueling a gang war that leaves her brother dead, his best friend dead, her brother's girlfriend almost gang raped in the local drug store only to end in her ex-boyfriend killing the ex-rival gang leader she fell in love with.
Ditto, MISS SAIGON - - - A Vietnamese prostitute with a heart of gold falls for a U.S. soldier who impregnates her, abandons her, goes back to the US and re-marries another woman only to be haunted with memories of her - - - he confesses all of this to his current wife and they along with a friend go back to Vietnam to "save" the Vietnamese prostitute - - - a whole lot of other crap goes on - - - but in the end the Vietnamese prostitute kills herself.
The fact that they want to keep this a 'family' event limits their options. Meron and Zadan said in one of their recent interviews that PETER PAN was mistake because it was more or less an out of date, creaky old musical that had run its course. It's hard for me to imagine that shows like THE MUSIC MAN, GUYS AND DOLLS or much of the R&H catalog would fare much better in the ratings than PETER PAN did (regardless of the fact they are superior in their writing).
I think the CHRISTMAS STORY musical is a good idea. How about WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY? I think they could also follow in the footsteps of many of the TV musicals from the 50s and 60s and have something written new - expressly for television.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
But Sound of Music still beat out both The Wiz and Peter Pan.
Peter Pan just isn't a very good musical. It's meandering, it's overlong, it's remarkably inert, a great deal of its score is unmemorable. And that's on top of the fact that the production was missing genuine star quality and was a misconceived mess.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Two rival gangs duke it out in the inner city slums.
A! virginal Puerto Rican girl falls in love with an ex-rival gang leader fueling a gang war that leaves her brother dead, his best friend dead, her brother's girlfriend almost gang raped in the local drug store only to end in her ex-boyfriend killing the ex-rival gang leader she fell in love with.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Now Carlos, you're a creative person. You don't have to steal snarky comments already said by Jordan Catalano, just so you can try and look smart. Silly Carlos.
Bye Bye Birdie BUT they would have to cast an actual famous pop star in the role of Birdie [Harry Styles would be available...] if not BBB, I think doing 'A Christmas Story: The Musical" would be a great choice.
Why would they do Les Miserables Live when you have the movie filmed "live" or Dreamgirls Live when you can watch the great movie adaptation starring Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Fox, Eddie Murphy, etc... Who are they going to get to top that?
If they go with the classics, I would hope it would be West Side Story, Gypsy or Annie Get Your Gun.
But I really hope they go with something more contemporary with big characters that will attract huge stars again - No one wants to see Megan Hilty star on primetime in Annie Get Your Gun regardless if its a good idea.
What about "Bonnie & Clyde" or "Spamalot" or "Sunset Boulevard"?
Side note - can you imagine "Drood" with a live text/tweet in as to who the killer is? That would be interesting.
Kad said: "But Sound of Music still beat out both The Wiz and Peter Pan.
Peter Pan just isn't a very good musical. It's meandering, it's overlong, it's remarkably inert, a great deal of its score is unmemorable. And that's on top of the fact that the production was missing genuine star quality and was a misconceived mess. "
Hairspray would be a great choice but since the Zadan and Meron duo done the film, I wonder if they will consider it. If it happens please please pleaseeee bring James Marsden as Collins.
My top three choices for a good television musical would be Hairspray, White Christmas and Cinderella. They should do them and not Music Man