What are the flops on Broadway that had mass potential, but fell flat. The FIRST one that comes to mine (no one will be surprised, because everyone knows that I'm flat-out-obsessed with this show) is 'Lestat'. What bryan is to Cry-Baby, Jazzy is to Lestat. I just can't get enough of that score. The score is gorgeous and the source material that it's based is very strong, so I feel that the show DESERVES to be reworked. That will never happen, but I can still dream. What are some of your favorite flops that you would love to see new and improved versions of?
"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas." -Danmeg's 10 year old son.
I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&.
"Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
My first thought was SEUSSICAL. But after its Broadway turn, Cathy Rigby tweaked and redid chunks of the show and the 1st Nat'l Tour was SUPERB!!! Then the non-Equity tour occurred and went back to the original Broadway script but completely re-staged it. BUT it's not really a flop because it's one of the most popular regional titles performed today. Still, I would love to see a complete revisioning and reworking, moreso than what Rigby had done, and brought back to Broadway.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Prettybelle. I bet if a bunch of the songs were cut people today would understand the show's hilarity and have a great time.
I also loved Brooklyn the Musical, and while I think it deserves a revival, it wouldn't be practical because few else like it or, by my estimation, understand it. :)
Another flop I saw was Dracula. That one does NOT deserve a revival.
2010
Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)
There is only one technical definition of a "flop": a show which closes without returning its investment.
As for non-technical definitions, there are many.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
By flop, I mean a show that was both a financial AND critical flop.
"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas." -Danmeg's 10 year old son.
I know I'm probably in a minority here but I think with some retweaks and a bit of work Glory Days could've been a pretty good show. I love the actors involved and the score was decent, some lyrics aside. I found it enjoyable, but the plot was weak and if they worked on that it could be good enough for another shot at least an off broadway run.
Also I do wanna say [title of show] should return, but possibly off broadway is more suited for them as well.
You're always sorry,
You're always grateful,
You hold her, thinking:
"I'm not alone."
You're still alone.
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
" Another flop I saw was Dracula. That one does NOT deserve a revival."
I'd LOVE to see a re-worked version of DRACULA, the musical - using the European orchestrations and changes, mixed with the great Broadway special effects. Not a perfect show, but some great music in there.
Also: A Tale of Two Cities Jekyll & HYDE (Haha well it did flop - critically & Financially on B'way!)
Where does this technical definition come from? Not the dictionary... so... I'm curious as to what Broadway technical manual you can find definitions to words such as these...?
"High Fidelity". I listen to that soundtrack over and over again. Plus the book had some very funny stuff in it as well. It's not quite "Jersey Boys" but it's as good as a lot of shows which have lasted a lot longer.
Also "Rags". This one needs a bit more help, book wise, but the score is terrific.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Variety, plus it has been discussed endlessly and makes perfect sense. What people forget is that we define flop/hit by a specific production of a show, but always get offended thinking you are attacking the piece and/or creators.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE