FLASHDANCE is definitely happening in Pittsburgh as scheduled. Why do people want to knock this show when it is being completely rethought after the London run. It won't be the same show at all other than the title and some of the music. Why crap all over something that isn't even open yet? Anywhere?
Didn't see the show (but as you can tell by my first post in the thread, it's not my cup of tea, and I wouldn't have sought to go see it if I was in London). But I did remember reading the tepid responses to the show. It closed earlier than some thought it would, didn't it?
'Isn't this the show that caused the West End production of Hairspry to close?'
Erm no, dwindling ticket sales caused Hairspray to close.
The UK National tour prior to the West End did incredible business and earned some pretty good reviews. Before moving to London the show was redesigned and reworked and opened to average reviews, sadly it just could not find an audience and closed a few weeks ahead of schedule.
I enjoyed the show as a piece of fluff, it was fun, had a pretty catchy new score and some great choreography, the book was also beefed up from the movie but still needed some work. Victoria Hamilton Barritt who played Alex was a revelation and received a few major award nominations for her performance. With some work this could be a good feel good show, it was pretty close to that in London.
Oddly since shutting in London it has not gone back out on tour here which is silly as it made a lot on the road.
The film was a classic example of Bruckheimer's early production work, with stylish direction by Adrian Lyne and zero story there at all. Some well done scenes, a score (meaning many of the songs but also the background music) I love for its 80s cheese synth, and... that's all. Did they beef up the story? I know Giorgio Moroder who did much of the score was working on his own version with Sylvester Levy back in the 90s for Germany--but this one only used the title song, right?
Yes the story was beefed up as much as it could be.
*spoilers* Alex had a mum in the show who ended up getting shot by one of Alex old friends (Jimmy) who's life was spiralling out of control (he held up the store she worked, he never meant to shoot her).
We also had Alex best friend who left the club to work for another club that was wanting far more off her than they initially let on, this story could have been fleshed out more but did work.
The romance from the film is of course still in but that was also beefed up.
CurtainPullDowner unless Broadway is planning to unfairly bash all new British imports then i doubt it
The producers of Flashdance, I think, are the same ones that are tied up with Leap of Faith. I think? So, that could be a reason.
I know they've been rehearsing, or auditioning or something like crazy in NYC.
Oh well.
I don't think it would have done very well. The movie is considered pretty "cheesy," so to try and turn it into a serious musical just seems stupid. Look at "Carrie."
Rippedman it's not a 'serious' musical, it's still camp and fun just also has some serious moments. Oh and many people liked the new Carrie, including it would seem many of this years awards panels judging by the many nominations it received.
As others have pointed out, I've heard that this show has been COMPLETELY reworked since its horrible run in London. Not only did the London production have a dark quality to it (drugs, death), it was in a poorly locatated venue. But people who went to see it expecting an uplifting experience because of the film were often taken aback by the darkness.
I believe that all of the originally planned tour dates are still in place.
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joined:8/14/05
Posted: 5/9/12 at 06:07pm