The Death Of The American Musical ? Fact? or Fiction?
The Death Of The American Musical ? Fact? or Fiction?
#0The Death Of The American Musical ? Fact? or Fiction?
Posted: 6/11/06 at 6:17pmHello. I just read an article on the death of the American musical.... especially with this 2005--2006 season. The article touches upon the onslaught of "jukebox musicals" or musicals based on films, 50's, 60's, 70's.. Basically, the article bemoans the lack of originality of a number of existing and new musicals. Perhaps someone can lend their perspective on this matter. from Roman in Austin, Texas... the official Patti LuPone FANatic... p.s. Patti LuPone for Best Actress in a Musical....(If by some chance she doesn't get the Tony, I'll listen to Glenn Close singing (gnashing of teeth) "With One Look" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye", from the APR recording of "Sunset Boulevard." )
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
colleen_lee
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/05
#1re: The Death Of The American Musical ? Fact? or Fiction?
Posted: 6/11/06 at 6:19pmI subscribe to the school of thought that the recent onslaught of jukebox and movie-based musicals is something of a fad that will eventually die down. As with pretty much all things, theater seems to be a bit cyclical and I think we're just in a bit of a slump right now. I am optimistic that things will pick up again, albeit probably not a few years yet.
"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. "
--Sueleen Gay
#2re: The Death Of The American Musical ? Fact? or Fiction?
Posted: 6/11/06 at 8:15pm
Jesus Herbert Louis Christ. "Lack of originality?" That's a laugh. A lot of the classic musicals that people rave on and on about from the GOLDEN AGE of Broadway are based on Novels and even . . . yes . . . film. As long as there are new shows opening and as long as there are people in the seats of the theatres, it will never die. I am getting sick and tired of all this "Theatre is dead" crap.
**steps off soapbox**
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#3re: The Death Of The American Musical ? Fact? or Fiction?
Posted: 6/11/06 at 8:22pmI give it two more years...at the most.
Thesbijean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
#4re: The Death Of The American Musical ? Fact? or Fiction?
Posted: 6/11/06 at 9:22pm
Exactly.
Oklahoma
South Pacific
A Little Night Music
West Side Story
Nine
Cabaret
All based on previously existing material.
#5re: The Death Of The American Musical ? Fact? or Fiction?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:54amPeople are always crying "the death" of something. And yet it doesn't die.
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