Whistle Down the Wind preceeds SPAMALOT!

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 4:59pm

I am so excited to hear this. I know many on this board don't like this show, but let's have some love for the music, Jim Steinman, and the very emotional story. I can't wait to get tickets.


I know there were rumours about this in other threads, but I thought we needed a WHISTLE love thread.
Here's the link

Updated On: 2/23/06 at 04:59 PM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 5:25pm

Huh? ::scratches head:: I thought this was a big-time flop.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 5:28pm

In the US it was, in London it ran for a couple of years though that by no means makes it a hit.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 5:40pm

I saw it in London. I wasn't that thrilled with the show.

I wonder if they have to pay all those kids in the show Equity scale?

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 5:44pm

I love the cast recording. I wonder if we will get a new cd.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 6:09pm

Will there be any major revisions on the show? A new director or creative team?

Akiva

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 10:12am

I was wondering that too. Just a bump to see if anyone knows about new revisions to the book if any? That seemed to be the biggest problem.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 10:13am

It had a limited premiere engagment in the U.S. before opening in London. How could it be considered a flop in the U.S. when it only had a try-out?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 11:03am

"How could it be considered a flop in the U.S. when it only had a try-out?"

I wouldn't call it a flop. However, there was a Broadway theater booked and an advertising campaign was begun in NYC. But the producers decided not to bring the show in. Rather than a flop, it should be called a "never was".

[whatacharacter]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 1:57pm

I saw it when it played the National THeatre in Washington DC...lets just say I was not shocked that it didn't make it to NY. The book was at time laughable, and the score had very few standout moments. I am not sure how much was changed for the London run...but I feel like it just wasn't a great property to musicalize.

[sanda]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 2:00pm

I can never understand how they can sell the story? I mean, a 15 years girl believed a man as Jesus simply because that dude said "Jesus Christ". How can people believe that is beyond my imagination.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 2:14pm

I think its sweet...

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 2:30pm

I liked it. I have some of the songs on ALW collection CD. I have a version of Kyle "Scarpia" Gordon singing "A Kiss Is a Terrible Thing to Waste." There's also a version with Meat Loaf singing that song. He nails that song, since it has lyrics written by Jim Steinman, and the music as well was written in his style by ALW. Also a haunting version of "No Matter What" that ends the first act. I really liked it, I think, better than DOTV.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 2:57pm

sanda, there is much more background to the story than that. Maybe you could rent the film or something - it is an amazing show with a BIG set!

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 3:00pm

Interesting story, icky score. It's one of those let's bring lots of children in and have them sing annoyingly cloying songs scores.

[sanda]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 3:03pm

jimmirae,thanks for the suggestion. I have never seen the show, only listen to the recording. All I know about the story is from the synopsis, which, unfortunately is hard for me to understand.

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 8:02am

I'm shocked...I totally didn't see this coming...

[ThunderCat8]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 12:27pm

When I saw this show on tour a few years ago, I loved it! I love Jim Steinman anyway, and am a fan of rock musicals. When it started with Vaults of Heaven, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It sorta dwindled a little bit, but the song A Kiss Is A Terrible Thing To Waste is simply amazing! Not a bad musical, (one of ALW's best I think!) but nothing amazing. Surprised this is coming back to London, why not Miss Saigon for example?

[mrkringas]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 1:21pm

Its the Bill Kenwright touring version thats opening in town as a filler. Kenwright is infamous in the UK for producing low budget versions of big epic ALW musicals eg- Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph. His tours of the latter two featured 3 woman in the entire ensemble...very cheap and lacking. He also doesnt pay a lot and tends to cast a lot of young freshfaced talent in the ensemble. Oh and did I mention the stripped down sets and orchestra?

Whilst not dissing the professionalism of the performers on stage its a very very cheap production that would never see the light of day on Broadway and its sad that the West End is reduced to this. We dont have tons of exciting new musicals being developed out of town like you guys. So when a slot opens up its a case of "mmm what can we pull from the road and make a quick buck?"

Luckily we are getting Avenue Q, Evita, Sound of Music, Spamalot, Caroline or Change, Dirty Dancing and Wicked to make up for it