Why did Children of Eden not make it to Broadway?

[aces25]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:21pm

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:41pm

I believe Schwartz said the Papermill production with it's cast of 60 was too big for a Broadway production at the time

[Poppy]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 11:53pm

My family and I loved it at the PaperMill. We try to catch it whenever it's performed within the tri-state area. It's a marvelous play.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 12:10am

not speaking for the show itself, but the score is melodramatic, and doesn't go much anywhere. Some parts are pretty, but that's about it. Of course, this doesn't answer your question!
Updated On: 5/8/05 at 12:10 AM

[musicnmath]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 12:14am

ah, one of my favouritest (yes, I meant that) shows. Loved the production I saw in phoenix and am addicted to my recording!

[MusicMan]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 12:21am

It doesn't work.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 12:22am

I've never seen it, but I hate the CD.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 1:04am

it didn't make it to broadway cause it's a piece of Sh!t.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 1:14am

though ive never seen the show, i purchased the CD as a fan of schwartz. Hated it. What awful lyrics. I suppose one has to SEE this spectacle to fall in love with it.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 1:17am

I dont see it lasting very long on Broadway. Its religious and people don't handle that sorta stuff all too well. I just dont see people flocking to see this.

[jollipops]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 2:20am

I am actually rehearsing for a production of it at the moment. I think it would not appeal to a mainstream audience, it works much better on a small scale. Has some beautiful music in it though... however, the dialougue is fairly cheesy.

[Blair]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 2:31am

I actually just finished a run of this show at my school about 4 hours ago.

It can definitely get pretty cheesy at times, but all in all, I do think that it's a beautiful show.

However, I don't think it would last very long on Broadway either. I can't really point out why.

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 2:38am

From Stephen Schwartz's site:

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Why hasn't CHILDREN OF EDEN Played on Broadway?

SS: The main reason is probably the expense -- the show requires a choir and a bunch of kids being animals, etc. This isn't a problem in community or non-union theatres, but on Broadway, the running cost would be prohibitive without special concessions from Actor's Equity. These might be obtainable by a dedicated enough producer, but so far none has come along. I've also been told that some producers feel the subject matter is not commercial, but given the strong track record of the show around the country, I'm not sure this is true. I have always felt that CHILDREN OF EDEN would actually stand a good chance of being successful on Broadway, since it has been so well received in the many productions in the U.S. and abroad. Perhaps one day a Broadway production will happen, but till then, I remain delighted that it is done so often and so well elsewhere.

Charlie
[e-mail]

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 4:00am

RentBoy, Children of Eden is not "too religious" for Broadway. Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Joseph are all religious shows, so it is possible for them to be on Broadway. Maybe not Cats-length-runs, but there they wouldn't keep reviving these shows if there wasn't an audience for them.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 8:31am

Wow, Carl Magnum. I thought I was tough.
Updated On: 5/1/08 at 08:31 AM

[apdarcey]

Posted: 5/8/05 at 9:34am

if you're going to say that this show excludes people because of religion you clearly missed the point of the show.