CAN-CAN Headed Back to Broadway in Spring 2014

[Rob]

Click Here to Read Breaking News: CAN-CAN Headed Back to Broadway in Spring 2014 with Revised Book; Workshop to be Held in Oct. 2013

[Jordan Catalano]

Now THIS is something to get excited about!!!!

[After Eight]

No more revised books!

No more revised books!

[sally1112]

I don't have a recording of this, but I love the songs they play on Sirus Broadway station!

[CarlosAlberto]

@ JordanCatalano: Totally agree!

[Ed_Mottershead]

The book was the worst part of the show -- songs, performances, design, Choreography, etc., etc. were terrific. But the book was a drag. Having said that, and partcularly after the Clear Day disaster, I don't have too much faith in any rewrites. What I would like to see is have some venturesome label put out a complete recording of the entire show -- maybe with Lupone and Stokes-Mitchell as the leads.

[Gothampc]

"maybe with Lupone and Stokes-Mitchell as the leads."

LuPone did the show for Encores. While she was good, I felt her "I Love Paris" was too forceful. She lost the subtle beauty of the song. It's not a song to be belted.

[newintown]

It does seem that this is the kind of revival that needs at least one star name to succeed, doesn't it?

[JoeKv99]

I love Paris and Cole Porter but this is an impossible sell.

[CarlosAlberto]

This will definitely need a star name to draw the sector that has no idea what CAN CAN is.

[HoldThatThought]

^ CAN CAN you you name name one one that that would would be be good good??

[ljay889]

The 1981 revival bombed, lasting only 5 performances.

[South Fl Marc]

"While she was good, I felt her "I Love Paris" was too forceful"

You were the only one. She stopped the show dead in it's tracks with the song and rightfully so. She was amazing and I don't think I've ever heard that song sung with so much heart. I can't see this show being done without her and quite frankly, I wouldn't want to see it if it is.

[Kad]

The fact they have two writers working on the book and neither have substantial theatre experience doesn't inspire confidence.

[Dollypop]

I saw the magnificent Patti in the Encores CAN CAN. She MUST be cast in the new show. MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GavestonPS]

But will she do it once they've given all the hit songs to Harry Connick, Jr.?

[lovesclassics]

^ Harry Connick, Jr

I don't know if you were kidding or not about casting him, but what a great idea for the judge!

Isn't Patti LuPone a little old for Pistache now?

[lovesclassics]

Sorry. Double post.

[Gothampc]

Only Catherine Zeta-Jones can sell this show.

[lovesclassics]

^ Catherine Zeta Jones

I actually thought of her when I first read the news.

[AnythingGoes23]

They will need a star, a big name for this to sell. Not even LuPones name I don't think could make this a hit again for a big commercial run.

Good luck to it though but I can see down the line Can Can will end Can't Can't

[South Fl Marc]

"They will need a star, a big name for this to sell. Not even LuPones name I don't think could make this a hit again for a big commercial run."

If that's true it really shows how bad Broadway audiences have become. It means a show like "Nice Work" can sell on the name of Matthew Broderick, an actor mainly remembered for a movie he did years ago, but has become a bad triple threat (can't act, can't sing, can't dance) and has played the same character for the last twenty years.

Meanwhile a truly talented actress like Patti Lupone (can sing, can dance, can act) can't sell a show? That would be very sad if it's true.

[PalJoey]

Patti must play this part. No one but Patti.

http://youtu.be/DzzljogxZAE

[South Fl Marc]

I agree. I remember watching her sing that song. The audience was absolutely spellbound.

[newintown]

I'd love to see Patti do the part, too, but I wonder if she's enough of a draw to sell this rather arcane property to a quantity of tourists sufficient to make it pay off.

[Borstalboy]

Oh, why not?

Shape up the book--may the word 'reboot' never leave your lips--, cast Patti, and you could have a success like ANYTHING GOES.

EDIT: That Patti clip is amazing. Simple Broadway tune given a kind of stunning gravitas. Lovely.