OT: Addams Family on Broadway

[MrToady]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already , but I thought this might be of interest to some on the board. A new production of The Addams Family is coming to Broadway in April starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. I just bought tickets for my family for June. The tickets seem to be selling pretty well. Once I saw Bebe as Morticia, I was sold.

 

[MrToady]

Here is a link to an article describing the production

http://www.playbill.com/news/articl...ms-Family-On-Sale-Sept.-27-for-General-Public

 

[LMO429]

Ugh so sick of broadway taking movie/tv shows and turning them into broadway plays! Cant they think of something original anymore

nathan lane on bway is always a good thing so thumbs up to that

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I'm tired of Broadway musicals based on TV shows, movies, and old songs. However, I LOVE Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. I would see it to see them.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Ugh so sick of broadway taking movie/tv shows and turning them into broadway plays! Cant they think of something original anymore

nathan lane on bway is always a good thing so thumbs up to that

OK, I'm tired of Broadway musicals based on TV shows, movies, and old songs. However, I LOVE Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. I would see it to see them.

South Pacific...one of the all time great musicals was based on James Michener's book Tales of the South Pacific

My Fair Lady was based G.B Shaw's Pygmalion

Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera, Cats were all based on books.

The Wizard of Oz (movie) was a book that became a movie musical that is the basis for one of the most talked about and beloved shows in recent memory. (WICKED). Gone with the Wind was a book.

Sunset Boulevard became a smash hit musical based on a movie.

Same with Hairspary. Well, actually that was a movie that became a musical that became a novie again.

Mamma Mia was songs that became a musical that became a movie.

The incestuous nature of modern entertainment has led to some prety great stuff.

Now...keep in mind.,...there is also some not so great stuff. I just found outthat there is a touring musical based on Little House on the Prarie starring Melissa Gilbert. That needs to be stopped.

Bottom line....Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane...does it get any better than that?

 

[k5jm]

South Pacific...one of the all time great musicals was based on James Michener's book Tales of the South Pacific

My Fair Lady was based G.B Shaw's Pygmalion

Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera, Cats were all based on books.

The Wizard of Oz (movie) was a book that became a movie musical that is the basis for one of the most talked about and beloved shows in recent memory. (WICKED). Gone with the Wind was a book.

Sunset Boulevard became a smash hit musical based on a movie.

Same with Hairspary. Well, actually that was a movie that became a musical that became a novie again.

Mamma Mia was songs that became a musical that became a movie.

The incestuous nature of modern entertainment has led to some prety great stuff.

Now...keep in mind.,...there is also some not so great stuff. I just found outthat there is a touring musical based on Little House on the Prarie starring Melissa Gilbert. That needs to be stopped.

Bottom line....Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane...does it get any better than that?

Show boat was based on book by Edna Ferber

Pajama Game base on the book 7 and a half cents

Phantom of the Opera based on book by Gaston Leroux

Oklahoma! based on Lynn Riggs' Green Grow the Lilacs

Cabaret based on John Van Druten's 1951 play I Am a Camera

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was based on the short story, "The Sobbin' Women," by Stephen Vincent Benet

 

[DisneyKevin]

Show boat was based on book by Edna Ferber

Pajama Game base on the book 7 and a half cents

Phantom of the Opera based on book by Gaston Leroux

Oklahoma! based on Lynn Riggs' Green Grow the Lilacs

Cabaret based on John Van Druten's 1951 play I Am a Camera

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was based on the short story, "The Sobbin' Women," by Stephen Vincent Benet

I was waiting for you Mike.

 

[k5jm]

I was waiting for you Mike.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

South Pacific...one of the all time great musicals was based on James Michener's book Tales of the South Pacific

My Fair Lady was based G.B Shaw's Pygmalion

Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera, Cats were all based on books.

The Wizard of Oz (movie) was a book that became a movie musical that is the basis for one of the most talked about and beloved shows in recent memory. (WICKED). Gone with the Wind was a book.

Sunset Boulevard became a smash hit musical based on a movie.

Same with Hairspary. Well, actually that was a movie that became a musical that became a novie again.

Mamma Mia was songs that became a musical that became a movie.

The incestuous nature of modern entertainment has led to some prety great stuff.

Now...keep in mind.,...there is also some not so great stuff. I just found outthat there is a touring musical based on Little House on the Prarie starring Melissa Gilbert. That needs to be stopped.

Bottom line....Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane...does it get any better than that?

Show boat was based on book by Edna Ferber

Pajama Game base on the book 7 and a half cents

Phantom of the Opera based on book by Gaston Leroux

Oklahoma! based on Lynn Riggs' Green Grow the Lilacs

Cabaret based on John Van Druten's 1951 play I Am a Camera

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was based on the short story, "The Sobbin' Women," by Stephen Vincent Benet

I'm sorry, but I don't quite agree with you guys, Kevin and Mike. If you go back and read my message, you'll see I said I'm tired of Broadway musicals that are based on TV shows, movies, and revues of songs by a single artist or genre. I didn't say anything about musicals based on books.

I love Broadway shows, and some of my best memories are Dana and I going to see big productions. One of our first dates was to see Les Miserables in Chicago. I have the soundtrack, and have it about memorized. There's no way you can compare Les Mis to recent musicals like Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot, etc.

I loved South Pacific. I remember when it would come on PBS, and my Mom and Dad first introduced me to it. I would see South Pacific because I have fond memories of it. However, the musical is from 1949. Even the film I remember seeing was from 1958.

Where are the South Pacifics for our time. I think Wicked is a perfect example. Wicked, the novel, is relatively recent, from 1995, and is a fresh take on the Wizard of Oz. However, the book is dark, and, in all honesty - not one I enjoyed. I loved Wicked the musical though. Now, Wizard of Oz came to Rochester last year, and I had no desire to see it. The story wasn't new or fresh. The movie's from 1939, and I've seen it so many times.

Why isn't Broadway searching for more original novels to make into musicals? Like all the novels and stories you both mentioned? Why are we getting Spiderman? Shrek? 9-to-5? Big: The Musical? The Wedding Singer? and Little House on the Prairie? Where are the risks? Where is the next Les Mis?

I can't say anything about Sunset Boulevard because I haven't seen the movie or the musical. However, the Netflix DVD is sitting next to our TV.

I agree the incestuous nature of media has led to some great stuff, but there's been an awful lot of chaff as well.

Yes, Mama Mia was good making a story out of a compilation of ABBA songs, but you neglected to mention Movin' Out (Billy Joel songs), We Will Rock You (Queen songs), Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons songs), Smoky Joe's Cafe (Lieber and Stoller pop standards), and Rock of Ages (80's Big Hair rock).

I didn't even mention Burn the Floor (i.e., Dancing with the Stars: The Musical). Well, I guess I just did...

I'm sure we can all pick and choose different shows to make our point. I realize Rent was based on La Boheme which was based on a novel. I just wish there were some more originality in the Broadway Musical offerings these days.

That being said, again I LOVE Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth, and I'm making plans to see Mary Poppins on Broadway.

 

[catycatcat4]

South Pacific...one of the all time great musicals was based on James Michener's book Tales of the South Pacific

My Fair Lady was based G.B Shaw's Pygmalion

Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera, Cats were all based on books.

The Wizard of Oz (movie) was a book that became a movie musical that is the basis for one of the most talked about and beloved shows in recent memory. (WICKED). Gone with the Wind was a book.

Sunset Boulevard became a smash hit musical based on a movie.

Same with Hairspary. Well, actually that was a movie that became a musical that became a novie again.

Mamma Mia was songs that became a musical that became a movie.

The incestuous nature of modern entertainment has led to some prety great stuff.

Now...keep in mind.,...there is also some not so great stuff. I just found outthat there is a touring musical based on Little House on the Prarie starring Melissa Gilbert. That needs to be stopped.

Bottom line....Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane...does it get any better than that?

don't forget wicked was based on a book

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I've been singing Fantine's "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables in my head ever since I wrote my message.

"I had a dream my life would be
So different from the hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed"

Whew, gives me goosebumps everytime. Gives me goosebumps just thinking of it...

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm sorry, but I don't quite agree with you guys, Kevin and Mike. If you go back and read my message, you'll see I said I'm tired of Broadway musicals that are based on TV shows, movies, and revues of songs by a single artist or genre. I didn't say anything about musicals based on books.

I love Broadway shows, and some of my best memories are Dana and I going to see big productions. One of our first dates was to see Les Miserables in Chicago. I have the soundtrack, and have it about memorized. There's no way you can compare Les Mis to recent musicals like Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot, etc.

I loved South Pacific. I remember when it would come on PBS, and my Mom and Dad first introduced me to it. I would see South Pacific because I have fond memories of it. However, the musical is from 1949. Even the film I remember seeing was from 1958.

Where are the South Pacifics for our time. I think Wicked is a perfect example. Wicked, the novel, is relatively recent, from 1995, and is a fresh take on the Wizard of Oz. However, the book is dark, and, in all honesty - not one I enjoyed. I loved Wicked the musical though. Now, Wizard of Oz came to Rochester last year, and I had no desire to see it. The story wasn't new or fresh. The movie's from 1939, and I've seen it so many times.

Why isn't Broadway searching for more original novels to make into musicals? Like all the novels and stories you both mentioned? Why are we getting Spiderman? Shrek? 9-to-5? Big: The Musical? The Wedding Singer? and Little House on the Prairie? Where are the risks? Where is the next Les Mis?

I can't say anything about Sunset Boulevard because I haven't seen the movie or the musical. However, the Netflix DVD is sitting next to our TV.

I agree the incestuous nature of media has led to some great stuff, but there's been an awful lot of chaff as well.

Yes, Mama Mia was good making a story out of a compilation of ABBA songs, but you neglected to mention Movin' Out (Billy Joel songs), We Will Rock You (Queen songs), Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons songs), Smoky Joe's Cafe (Lieber and Stoller pop standards), and Rock of Ages (80's Big Hair rock).

I didn't even mention Burn the Floor (i.e., Dancing with the Stars: The Musical). Well, I guess I just did...

I'm sure we can all pick and choose different shows to make our point. I realize Rent was based on La Boheme which was based on a novel. I just wish there were some more originality in the Broadway Musical offerings these days.

That being said, again I LOVE Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth, and I'm making plans to see Mary Poppins on Broadway.

I'm not quite sure I see the difference in where the inspiration comes from.

For every South Pacific....there were a multitude of flops of which we've never heard.

Broadway of the past was not one enormous hit after another. There was some chaff as well....just as today.

Television was in it's infancy when South Paciific and My Fair Lady were on Broadway.

I'm for creativity from whatever it's origins and just to make my point...The Addams Family was from a book by Edward Gorey. The television show was not the original, it too had a previous incarnation.

And the storyline in Les Mis is actually closer to the movie Les Mis than the book Les Mis by Victor Hugo.

Also...currently on Broadway...

Ragtime - a revival of a great musical based on the book by E.L. Doctrow

Bye Bye Birdie - musical - movie

God of Carnage - original play

Next to Normal - original concept musical about mental illness

West Side Story - Shakespear - musical - movie - musical

Billy Elliot - non-musical movie turned into a musical

Chicago - musical - movie - musical

Into the Heights - original musical

So for every Rock of Ages....there is a Lion King.

I really love the fact that we dont know where the next great Ameican musical is coming from....but I'm always hopeful.

 

[3guysandagal]

I think I will wait for "Addams Family on Ice"

 

[LMO429]

I'm sorry, but I don't quite agree with you guys, Kevin and Mike. If you go back and read my message, you'll see I said I'm tired of Broadway musicals that are based on TV shows, movies, and revues of songs by a single artist or genre. I didn't say anything about musicals based on books.

I love Broadway shows, and some of my best memories are Dana and I going to see big productions. One of our first dates was to see Les Miserables in Chicago. I have the soundtrack, and have it about memorized. There's no way you can compare Les Mis to recent musicals like Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot, etc.

I loved South Pacific. I remember when it would come on PBS, and my Mom and Dad first introduced me to it. I would see South Pacific because I have fond memories of it. However, the musical is from 1949. Even the film I remember seeing was from 1958.

Where are the South Pacifics for our time. I think Wicked is a perfect example. Wicked, the novel, is relatively recent, from 1995, and is a fresh take on the Wizard of Oz. However, the book is dark, and, in all honesty - not one I enjoyed. I loved Wicked the musical though. Now, Wizard of Oz came to Rochester last year, and I had no desire to see it. The story wasn't new or fresh. The movie's from 1939, and I've seen it so many times.

Why isn't Broadway searching for more original novels to make into musicals? Like all the novels and stories you both mentioned? Why are we getting Spiderman? Shrek? 9-to-5? Big: The Musical? The Wedding Singer? and Little House on the Prairie? Where are the risks? Where is the next Les Mis?

I can't say anything about Sunset Boulevard because I haven't seen the movie or the musical. However, the Netflix DVD is sitting next to our TV.

I agree the incestuous nature of media has led to some great stuff, but there's been an awful lot of chaff as well.

Yes, Mama Mia was good making a story out of a compilation of ABBA songs, but you neglected to mention Movin' Out (Billy Joel songs), We Will Rock You (Queen songs), Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons songs), Smoky Joe's Cafe (Lieber and Stoller pop standards), and Rock of Ages (80's Big Hair rock).

I didn't even mention Burn the Floor (i.e., Dancing with the Stars: The Musical). Well, I guess I just did...

I'm sure we can all pick and choose different shows to make our point. I realize Rent was based on La Boheme which was based on a novel. I just wish there were some more originality in the Broadway Musical offerings these days.

That being said, again I LOVE Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth, and I'm making plans to see Mary Poppins on Broadway.

This is what I meant as well by my post. The Movie to a Musical trend more recently on broadway I think is not due to a lack of creativity but more so due to the poor economy. Producers are less likely to invest in unknown productions when its more marketable to sell tickets to shows where people are more familiar with the title. The majority of people who attend broadway shows are tourists. Its more marketable to attract a tourist to see Shriek on Broadway or Grease then it is for them to see something they may be unfamiliar with like for example In the heights.
There are plenty of examples of movies that turned in to plays that I loved Billy Elliott was simply amazing! but I love the new fresh ideas as well.

It just frustrates me when I Look in the back of any playbill and it looks like a netflix directory.

 

[fakereadhed]

I don't care what they make into a musical. I like my drama and music separately.

True Confession time.
I wanted to run screaming from the theater when I saw Ragtime.

I have never seen the entire Sound of Music and don't think I'll ever be able to sit through it.

The only thing I can stand is hand drawn Disney musicals.

 

[Joshua_me]

http://www.theaddamsfamilymusical.com/family.php

^ Meet the family.

I can't wait for this one !!!

Bebe as Morticia is just about the best casting I can think of...

I'm reminded of a line from "Fraiser" when he is recalling his wedding day with Lilith...

"Of course, if I knew then what I know now I would have walked down the aisle with the ice sculpture and had Lilith stand by the buffet to help keep the shrimp cold !"

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I'm not quite sure I see the difference in where the inspiration comes from.

I really love the fact that we dont know where the next great Ameican musical is coming from....but I'm always hopeful.

I agree there's not much difference in where the inspiration comes from TV, movie, song canon, or book. It's just that, to be accurate, I didn't include books in my original comment. I think you raise a good point Kevin, that if TV and film was more prevelent in the 40's and 50's, there probably would have been more Broadway musical productions based on those mediums as well.

For me, I'm just bored with Broadway musicals based on TV, movies, and songs by an artist or era. That's just me and my opinion. I like musicals based on stories I don't know. If I'm going to spend what it costs to go to these shows, then I'm interested in something new (new story, new music, or both). Les Mis was new to me (even though it was a book and a movie - I actually forgot about the original movie which I couldn't make it through). The Color Purple was new to me (even though it was a book and a movie; I hadn't read the book or saw the movie). I'm not interested in another revival of Grease.

I'm not interested in another musical of pieced together songs that I've heard 100 times. I want a richer story than that. That's just me. Mama Mia was entertaining, but I wasn't blown away by it.

To be honest, I also wasn't really interested in Lion King, but I had heard and read how creative it was. So I gave it a chance and loved it. However, I also might have loved the puppetry, imagery, songs in a story that was new to me even more. Mary Poppins is not at the top of my list of things to see, but I've heard good things about it so I'm willing to give it a try.

Next to Normal - now that sounds really interesting to me. Again, it's just me and my opinion, but I'm looking for a story and songs that I don't already know or haven't heard 1,000 times. I want something to surprise me and blow me away.

I agree, I'm always hopeful for the next great American musical. I love big production musicals.

This is what I meant as well by my post. The Movie to a Musical trend more recently on broadway I think is not due to a lack of creativity but more so due to the poor economy. Producers are less likely to invest in unknown productions when its more marketable to sell tickets to shows where people are more familiar with the title. The majority of people who attend broadway shows are tourists. Its more marketable to attract a tourist to see Shriek on Broadway or Grease then it is for them to see something they may be unfamiliar with like for example In the heights.
There are plenty of examples of movies that turned in to plays that I loved Billy Elliott was simply amazing! but I love the new fresh ideas as well.

It just frustrates me when I Look in the back of any playbill and it looks like a netflix directory.

Mike, I agree with you for the most part here. I understand why the Producers are making the musicals they're making. It's because of how much money goes into these productions, and they need to make their money back. It's just that I'm not drawn in to a lot of the offerings on Broadway right now because they seem tired and stale. Again, it's just me and my opinion.

I did like the movie Billy Elliott, maybe I'll have to give the musical a try if people are recommending it.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

I was thinking about this more, and I realize I'm getting off point. Here's the real issue. Am I interested in "The Addams Family" on Broadway? No, I'm not. I've seen the TV shows; I've seen one of the movies; I'm not interested in a Broadway version. Am I'm interested in something that Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth are in? Yes! They have a track record of things I like, so I'm willing to give it a chance.

Bottom line....Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane...does it get any better than that?

In my opinion, it would be better and more interesting to me if they were in something with a new story, new songs, and new characters.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I have never seen the entire Sound of Music and don't think I'll ever be able to sit through it..

I might have to lay down.....

 

[DisneyKevin]

if they were in something with a new story, new songs, and new characters.

I dont know any Addams Family songs, so I'm pretty sure they will be new.