The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[MissDisney121]

As much as I love Rogers and Hammerstein musicals and maybe a bit partial to the originals, I can't see Carousel or Oklahoma doing well in with today's movie audiences. Movie musicals in general have not held up well, since they either cast actors who can't sing or singers who cannot act. Chicago, Dreamgirls and Hairspray are the only musicals in recent memory that fared well at the box office. They also had more modern themes. Sweeney Todd, as great as Johnny Depp is, he didn't have the musical chops. Rent didn't translate as well to the screen, despite using most of the original Broadway cast. Should I even bother to mention Phantom? Did anyone see it? I feel like I'm overlooking another musical that didn't fare well, but can't recall at the moment.

I know what you mean. Although I did like both the Rent and Phantom movie versions I know that the stage versions of both are way better. A big example of casting actors who can't really sing would be Mamma Mia. Pierce Brosnan was just a joke and Meryl Streep (who I'm a huge fan of btw) wasn't much better. Period pieces in dramas do well all the time though so I don't see why a period piece in a musical couldn't do well also. I am looking forward to the more modern musicals being made into movies though such as Rock of Ages (though the rumored casting makes me a little sad) and In The Heights.

 

[TimeforMe]

I almost forgot......we're also going to see Rain in the City this Saturday. Being a huge Beatles fan, I'm sure it'll be great.

To the PP: I think In the Heights would translate great into a movie...not sure about Rock of Ages.

 

[ashleybea]

That's awesome! I loved the show too, I'm definitely going to see it again soon.

There's some great footage from the show's press reel on YouTube right now for anyone who wants to see how well Harry Potter can sing and dance (and he really can!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AL3qpCbJqM

That Grand Old Ivy scene is my favorite part of the show.

The Grand old ivy scene left me as breathless as it did Dan!! Who knew Harry Potter could sing and dance!
The cast recording comes out june 7th! I'm very excited for that.

 

[AllisonK]

I almost forgot......we're also going to see Rain in the City this Saturday. Being a huge Beatles fan, I'm sure it'll be great.

To the PP: I think In the Heights would translate great into a movie...not sure about Rock of Ages.

In the Heights would make an AWESOME film! My mom and I saw it on a whim last fall and we LOVED it! And then we saw it when it came around on tour in January.

Did anyone else see the cast of Sister Act on Good Morning America this morning? They were great!

 

[JenM]

They were supposed to make a movie out of In The Heights, but Universal scrapped the movie a few weeks ago.

Seeing American Idiot for the 4th time tomorrow. Can't wait!

 

[Ms. Belle]

Hi Everyone, I'm going to see Chicago on June 25 and Christie Brinkley is going to be there through June 19; does anyone know who is going to play Roxie after June 19?

 

[Aristocath]

So I've booked our spring theater trip. I planned too late and can't get Book of Mormon but I've got a good line up I think. The plays we are seeing are The House of Blue Leaves, That Championship Season and Born Yesterday. The musicals are Anything Goes, Catch Me if you Can, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I'm so excited! The only thing left to plan is where to eat!

 

[JenM]

Interesting...an American Idiot movie??

http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/uni...on-of-green-day-stage-musical-american-idiot/

 

[Cat0727]

The Mother____ With the Hat got a great review in the NYT:

http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/04/...h-the-hat-by-stephen-adly-guirgis-review.html

 

[MissDisney121]

They were supposed to make a movie out of In The Heights, but Universal scrapped the movie a few weeks ago.

Seeing American Idiot for the 4th time tomorrow. Can't wait!

That sucks. I hope some one starts it back up again.

 

[Pinkjojo7]

I almost forgot......we're also going to see Rain in the City this Saturday. Being a huge Beatles fan, I'm sure it'll be great..[/I]

Rain is so great! I saw it last year and I think that you will definetley enjoy it, it was so much fun!

I get to go see Chicago in May after the show got rescheduled in April.

 

[snapppyd]

They were supposed to make a movie out of In The Heights, but Universal scrapped the movie a few weeks ago.

Seeing American Idiot for the 4th time tomorrow. Can't wait!

Finally, another fan!! I've seen it more than 10 times (my Dh asked me to stop telling people how many times I've actually seen it - he gets embarrassed when they look at me like I'm crazy!)

We have tickets for the last performance on April 24th, I am so sorry to see it go. We saw it last week and it is not the same with so many of the original cast gone - but seeing BJ makes up for it! We were in the 5th row and I doubt I will ever get that close to him again

 

[MsLeFever]

Hi theatre fans! I'm a theatre prof who is looking to directing Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson next season. Did anyone see it on Broadway - what did you think?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Finally, another fan!! I've seen it more than 10 times (my Dh asked me to stop telling people how many times I've actually seen it - he gets embarrassed when they look at me like I'm crazy!)

We have tickets for the last performance on April 24th, I am so sorry to see it go. We saw it last week and it is not the same with so many of the original cast gone - but seeing BJ makes up for it! We were in the 5th row and I doubt I will ever get that close to him again

It was really that different? You think I should just go see something else and keep all my fabulous memories pure, without tainting them?

 

[gometros]

I almost forgot......we're also going to see Rain in the City this Saturday. Being a huge Beatles fan, I'm sure it'll be great.

To the PP: I think In the Heights would translate great into a movie...not sure about Rock of Ages.

I'm seeing rain in the city right now

(sorry, could not resist)

 

[snapppyd]

I was really that different? You think I should just go see something else and keep all my fabulous memories pure, without tainting them?

I really don't know what to tell you. I was not crazy about Tunney's replacement. Justin Guarini was a little scary looking as Will, he never blinks when he sings Even "Favorite Son" was replaced by a white guy who did not have the muscles or chops for the part.

Pretty much my sole reason for still going is to be in the presence of "his greatness"

It's different if you remember the original (fantastic) cast and compare it to that. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it, but every time another original cast member leaves it loses something.

I would say if you are not going to Broadway that often maybe you should see something else - we are going to see "Baby It's You" on 4/23 and "Jerusalem" on 5/1. I really think you would like "Rock of Ages"

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I really don't know what to tell you. I was not crazy about Tunney's replacement. Justin Guarini was a little scary looking as Will, he never blinks when he sings Even "Favorite Son" was replaced by a white guy who did not have the muscles or chops for the part.

Pretty much my sole reason for still going is to be in the presence of "his greatness"

It's different if you remember the original (fantastic) cast and compare it to that. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it, but every time another original cast member leaves it loses something.

I would say if you are not going to Broadway that often maybe you should see something else - we are going to see "Baby It's You" on 4/23 and "Jerusalem" on 5/1. I really think you would like "Rock of Ages"

I really want to see Rock of Ages, but I'm thinking maybe my mom will be coming along with us next week and I'm not sure what to see that both she and PrincessK would enjoy. I think PK and I would love Rock of Ages, but I think Mom's more along the lines of Baby It's You. Can't get tickets for Wicked, I've been trying.

Anyone hear any buzz on Catch Me If You Can?

 

[JenM]

I really don't know what to tell you. I was not crazy about Tunney's replacement. Justin Guarini was a little scary looking as Will, he never blinks when he sings Even "Favorite Son" was replaced by a white guy who did not have the muscles or chops for the part.

Was that the understudy? I thought Josh Henry was back as Favorite Son.

This is my first time seeing it post-original cast, so it will definitely be a little weird. I'm mostly going to see Billie Joe again anyway, so it'll be fun regardless.

Have you been following the American Idiot twitter feed? Billie Joe has been out of his mind since coming back to the show. He dressed up like the Naked Cowboy and played guitar outside the theater, and last night with Tom Cruise in the audience, he screamed "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!" right before his St. Jimmy entrance. Love it.

 

[snapppyd]

Was that the understudy? I thought Josh Henry was back as Favorite Son.

This is my first time seeing it post-original cast, so it will definitely be a little weird. I'm mostly going to see Billie Joe again anyway, so it'll be fun regardless.

Have you been following the American Idiot twitter feed? Billie Joe has been out of his mind since coming back to the show. He dressed up like the Naked Cowboy and played guitar outside the theater, and last night with Tom Cruise in the audience, he screamed "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!" right before his St. Jimmy entrance. Love it.

On Sunday, he said "Winning"! Did you see the videos of his dog singing while he plays the piano?

eta: Joshua Henry was not in the Sunday matinee

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Was that the understudy? I thought Josh Henry was back as Favorite Son.

This is my first time seeing it post-original cast, so it will definitely be a little weird. I'm mostly going to see Billie Joe again anyway, so it'll be fun regardless.

Have you been following the American Idiot twitter feed? Billie Joe has been out of his mind since coming back to the show. He dressed up like the Naked Cowboy and played guitar outside the theater, and last night with Tom Cruise in the audience, he screamed "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!" right before his St. Jimmy entrance. Love it.

On Sunday, he said "Winning"! Did you see the videos of his dog singing while he plays the piano?

Maybe I should spend the money and go back again.