truly 'original' musicals???
truly 'original' musicals???
#1truly 'original' musicals???
Posted: 5/10/12 at 9:51pmThe recent NYT article on the sad state of Broadway got me wondering: what are some truly 'original' musicals that were not based off a movie, book, comic or t.v. program; and have an original score?
#2truly 'original' musicals???
Posted: 5/10/12 at 9:53pm
The Music Man
Are real events "truly original".
"Through The Sacrifice You Made, We Can't Believe The Price You Paid..For Love!"
#3truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 9:55pm
Off the top of my head plus some quick Wikipedia-ing...
Urinetown
A Chorus Line
Grease
Avenue Q
Hair
The Book of Mormon
Pippin?
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 5/10/12 at 09:55 PM
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#4truly 'original' musicals???
Posted: 5/10/12 at 9:55pm
Next to Normal.
(But let's remember, you can go back in b'ways history a LOOONG way and find primary sources of a LOT of musicals.)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#5truly 'original' musicals???
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:01pmBut then, Urinetown wouldn't exist if not for works like Threepenny Opera or golden age musicals.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
followspot
Broadway Star Joined: 12/27/11
#6truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:02pm
A few more not technically based on source material:
Bells are Ringing
Bye Bye Birdie
City of Angels
Caroline, or Change
In The Heights
(but correct me if I'm wrong)
"Tracy... Hold Mama's waffles."
Updated On: 5/11/12 at 10:02 PM
karen24
Broadway Star Joined: 2/27/06
Jonwo
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/16/06
#8truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:07pmGrease is an original musical as that was based on Jim Jacob's high school experience. Chess is also original as well.
#9truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:10pmPippin is inspired by "true" events.
"I think lying to children is really important, it sets them off on the right track" -Sherie Rene Scott-
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#10truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:11pm
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Scottsboro Boys (at least I don't believe this is bases on another source but reality)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#11truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:17pm
Scottsboro was based on a book, based on real events
Not certain, but...
Curtains
The Will Rogers Follies
Titanic
1776
"Through The Sacrifice You Made, We Can't Believe The Price You Paid..For Love!"
#12truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:18pmit was short lived, but original......The Story Of My Life
luvcaroline
Broadway Star Joined: 10/19/05
#13truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:56pmChicago (although it was loosely based on a real murder case)
#14truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 10:59pmCHICAGO is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Watkins.
luvcaroline
Broadway Star Joined: 10/19/05
#17truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 11:30pmisnt there also a movie 'Roxie Hart'? Not sure how much it's related to 'chicago' though...
#18truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/10/12 at 11:40pm
The Roxie Hart movie is adapted from the play. Kinda fun to watch and find Chicago similarities.
Now back to mater at hand...
Baby. (which could use an OB revival)
"Through The Sacrifice You Made, We Can't Believe The Price You Paid..For Love!"
#19truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/11/12 at 12:06am
It seems to depend on what your definition of "original" is exactly. Do you mean not based on a book, movie, TV show, or real life event? Do shows that use a familiar story line (like Music Man: con man plans to swindle people for his own advantage but ends up realizing his wrongdoing and chooses to become a better person) not count either? It seems like any show you can link back to the early days of drama. And all drama has to follow few certain well established formulas (all including the need for a problem or some sort of tension to arise for the characters to deal with/solve/learn from), otherwise there's no play. I guess it's like the saying goes: there's nothing new under the sun. However people are still finding new and inventive ways to tell their stories, which is really what matters most.
Updated On: 5/11/12 at 12:06 AM
TheatreKid3
Broadway Star Joined: 3/25/12
EatTheBrownie
Stand-by Joined: 2/6/12
#21truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/11/12 at 3:45amBye Bye Birdie is heavily based on the life of Elvis.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#22truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/11/12 at 3:48amGlory Days. (as painful as that is to remember)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
followspot
Broadway Star Joined: 12/27/11
#23truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/11/12 at 7:17am
Bye Bye Birdie is heavily based on the life of Elvis.
Bye Bye Birdie features a supporting character who's a broad spoof on Army-era Elvis Presley. The musical itself is wholly original.
That's like saying Avenue Q is based on the life of Gary Coleman. (Or Bert & Ernie.) ; )
"Tracy... Hold Mama's waffles."
Updated On: 5/11/12 at 07:17 AM
#24truly 'original' musicals?
Posted: 5/11/12 at 7:31am
Do Re Mi
Pacific Overtures
Mail
A Change in the Heir
Chu Chem
The Body Beautiful
Honky Tonk Nights
Grind
The Magic Show
Starmites
One Night Stand
Late Nite Comic
Song and Dance
The News
Falsettos
Rags
Starlight Express
The Act
The Rink
Company
Redhead
Wildcat
The Book of Mormon
Welcome to the Club
Metro
The Life
Fade Out Fade In
Stop the World - I Want To Get Off
The Roar of the Greasepaint the Smell of the Crowd
Hot Spot (with additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim!)
Milk and Honey
....but the world goes 'round
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