Not Since Carrie Sequel

3 days ago, I shared a searchable, easy-to-use reference list of all the musicals featured in Not Since Carrie on Reddit: https://bwayradar.com/collections/not-since-carrie

Someone suggested I make one for Broadway musical flops from 1990 to the present, too. I thought people here might appreciate it, so here it is: https://bwayradar.com/collections/since-carrie

This is a work in progress, and I am collecting feedback! Also I am not a writer, and we're not writing the book. This is simply an attempt to compile a list of shows that could be featured in a hypothetical sequel.

I also want to make clear that, a commercial failure doesn't automatically mean a show is bad. Tons of factors go into why a production closes. In this list, there are shows that deserve a second look, as well as a lot of lessons to learn.

For reference, Ken's criteria in the original book are:

• Must be a musical (doh)
• Fewer than 250 performances on Broadway
• No national tour after the Broadway run
• Not performed regularly since its Broadway production
• Must have had a Broadway engagement, although shows that closed before reaching Broadway can also count
• No revues, revue style musicals, or bookless song cycles

I also excluded dance musicals (like Illinoise and Come Fly Away), revivals, and all shows from 2025, since they haven't been given enough time to be produced regionally yet.

A few remaining questions I have are:
- I excluded 2025 shows. Should I exclude 2024 musicals as well for the same reason?
- For Broadway-bound musicals that died on the road, I specifically chose those that announced a Broadway theater and opening dates yet ended up not happening. Should I loosen up the restriction and add more shows, such as Bull Durham or even Sing Street?
- Are these musicals performed regularly enough to be removed from the list?

• Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
• The Frogs
• The Scottsboro Boys
• The Story of My Life
• A Tale of Two Cities
• The Wild Party (LaChiusa)

And FYI, these are the shows I added for closed before Broadway:

• Busker Alley: announced for St. James Theatre, Nov. 1995
• Lone Star Love: announced for Belasco Theatre, Nov. 2007
• The Mambo Kings: announced for Broadway Theatre, Jul. 2005
• Nerds: announced for Longacre Theatre, Apr. 2016
• Paper Moon: announced for Marquis Theatre, Dec. 1993
• Rebecca: announced for Broadhurst Theatre, Mar. 2012
• The Rhythm Club: announced for St. James Theatre, 2001
• Whistle Down the Wind: announced for Martin Beck Theatre, Jun. 1997

steve.sometime said: "
- Are these musicals performed regularly enough to be removed from the list?

• Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
• The Frogs
• The Scottsboro Boys
• The Story of My Life
• A Tale of Two Cities
• The Wild Party (LaChiusa)

"

I think I would remove Bloody Bloody and Scottsboro Boys, both of which were regularly produced for a time after their Broadway productions closed (though, Bloody Bloody has likely not aged particularly well and I doubt we'll see much of it going forward).

Kad said: "I think I would remove Bloody Bloody and Scottsboro Boys, both of which were regularly produced for a time after their Broadway productions closed (though, Bloody Bloody has likely not aged particularly well and I doubt we'll see much of it going forward)."

curious why you think that, Kad ... personally, i find a lot of the lyrics newly appropriate given the nightmare we're living through.

The first show that came to my mind was "Caroline or Change". That was the "Avenue Q", possible split vote that got Menzel the Tiny and Pinkins' putting something in her contract for her son, I think.

Also "Shuffle Along". Not sure if it qualifies.

And Kad, I still listen to the cast recording of "The Story of My Life". I just love that score.

Updated On: 9/2/26 at 08:09 PM

whatever2 said: "Kad said: "I think I would remove Bloody Bloody and Scottsboro Boys, both of which were regularly produced for a time after their Broadway productions closed (though, Bloody Bloody has likely not aged particularly well and I doubt we'll see much of it going forward)."

curious why you think that, Kad ... personally, i find a lot of the lyrics newly appropriate given the nightmare we're living through.

"

The appropriateness of the lyrics is what makes it hard, imo. It's a very tricky bit of satire to pull off right now. (I loved BBAJ; I saw it about 10 times between the Public and Broadway).

ggersten said: "Why is Big Fish not on list? Too many high school and community productions?"

Precisely that :)