I'm surpeised that the new production of "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" has never come to Broadway. I am a fan of the film and was anxious to see the updated stage version.
I think it's because most of the theaters are full and MSG is already showing Annie and Radio City, of course, already has their annual Christmas Spectacular.
"Ev'ry-buddy wants ta get into de act!"
- Jimmy Durante
"Breathe from your hoo-hoo."
-Kristin Chenoweth
I believe they were also trying a new business model. Rather than creating another New York Holiday attraction within the glut that exists, they were bringing a limited-engagement sit-down to several cities across the country ... literally staging three or more identical productions at once. Are the same cities repeating this year?
It's a very expensive show to stage on Broadway- big cast and an orchestra of 24 musicians -please correct me if I'm wrong, but the highest # of musicians in any show lately has been 19?
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
No, not the same cities this year...SF, Boston and LA are out, and St Paul, MN and Detroit, MI are in this year. Then there are the regional, smaller productions of the material.
"My dreams, watching me said, one to the other...this life has let us down."
It will also be done in every community and some regional theaters throughout the country on an annual basis just based on its name and tunestack, so the "need" for a Broadway production to spur business is minimal.
As much as I enjoyed the recently-released cast album, the best things about it were the sound production and orchestrations. The cast (save for the amazing Karen Morrow!) were rather personality-free.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
I did not get the chance to see the production onstage, where I am sure the actors shine more than they do on the recording. That said, to hear all those great orchestrations and that old-time Broadway-style band ... well, it's just wonderful.
What about 42nd Street, The Wizard of Oz, all the Disney shows and The Producers? "
Not having seen the film 42nd Street, I can't comment on it. The Wizard of Oz does OK in schools and commubnity theaters, but as a full-fledged Broadway musical would not fare well at all. Disney, which has produced nothing but crap, is successful because it's Disney. But none of its stage adaptions capture the so-called "magic" of their film counterparts. The Producers was NOT a musical before it was produced on Broadway, and its success lies on Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. As history has shown, the show isn't strong enough on its own (its touring productions barely lasted three years, and never had sold-out engagements).
I hope you get to see it phil, as the production numbers on the cast recording are great, but nothing compared to the tap dancing on stage! It's a great cd all right!
"My dreams, watching me said, one to the other...this life has let us down."
I beg to differ with you about the Producers. As it is NOT my fav show in the least...I will say this. I live in Los Anegels and it played at the Pantages Theater for WELL over a year, and the entire run was sold out. The sit down production was a major success.
But yes, it also has to do with the casting. Martin Short and Jason Alexander were the reason everyone went to see it.
Now all I see are cute boys with short haircuts in a maze of their own...
This replaced the "Radio City Spectacular" in my town. I'm glad I no longer have to see the commercial every two seconds with the monkey child in her mother's arms, pointing at the Rockettes.
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