Oooh, what a good giveaway we've got this week!
Fresh off it's set of raves, Once has set the stage for one of my favorite things - a big David vs. Goliath type Tony Battle, where a small independent musical takes on a big behemoth (Newsies). It's going to be an exciting run-up to June 12th, that's for sure.
One of the most interesting things about the reviews for Once, was the big ol' wet sloppy kiss that Brantley gave it in the Times . . . because his Off-Broadway review wasn't as glowing. Big Ben adjusted his opininon (which made me have even more respect for the man-who-would-be-king), and said he got it wrong, and that Once was wonderful. Luckily, the Producers were hell-bent on Broadway before reading his earlier review
Interestingly enough, last week we also saw Superstar open, which had received an earlier dismissal from Isherwood during its Canadian opening, and unfortunately for them, he didn't change his mind.
Out of town or pre-opening reviews are tricky subjects for Producers. Here are two examples of much different info provided by the critics for productions on their way in to Broadway.
As a Producer, how much would you pay attention to reviews of an out-of-town production or a pre-Broadway mounting? Should critics even go to a show that is on its way?
Comment below with your thoughts and I'll send one of you to Once!
(Got a comment? I love 'em, so comment below! Email subscribers, click here, then scroll down, to say what's on your mind!)
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FUN STUFF:
- RSVP to the Shooting Crows reading in our studios! Click here.
- Take a Broadway Road Trip from DC on 4/28. Click here.
If you hadn't yet realized, the starting bell has rung on the start of the Spring season of new Broaday musicals.
They are off and running! For how long, that's the big question.
One of the most anticipated musicals to arrive on our shores this Spring is one of the strongest titles we've seen in awhile. Ghost, that surprise-smash of a film that was produced for only 22 million dollars (the musical is rumored to cost $13mm by comparison) and went on to make bazillions for everyone involved, including The Righteous Brothers, whose song, "Unchained Melody", is featured in one of the most iconic moments of the movie.
And, that sweet song is also featured in the musical . . . as one of you will see because I've got two free tickets to give away.
Who will win?
As more and more movies become musicals (and I'm not one of those that think it's such a bad thing, by the way, as long as the source movie makes for a strong musical foundation (e.g. Billy Elliot, Once, etc.)), more and more producers have to make the tough decision of including a big song from the movie or starting from scratch with something original. What's the expecation level of the audience? Do they expect to hear these tunes? Do you disappoint if you don't include 'em? Do you disappoint the reviewers if you do?
What do you think? Should movies-to-musicals like Ghost start over, or are they obliged to include these tunes in the show?
Comment below and I'll randomly choose one of you to go see Ghost on Broadway!
(Got a comment? I love 'em, so comment below! Email subscribers, click here, then scroll down, to say what's on your mind!)
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FUN STUFF:
- Take a Broadway Road Trip from DC on 4/28. Click here.
You know how when something really bad happens to you, someone says, "Hey, in a few years, you'll look back on this and laugh."
Well, that's the theory behind the the award-winning concert series, It It Only Even Runs A Minute, which will celebrate its 9th incarnation on March 26th at Joe's Pub.
Runs A Minute celebrates the flop, er, "underappreciated musical" by using some of the most appreciated talents the business has to offer. Dee Hoty, Kate Shindle, Julia Murney, Cady Huffman, David Shire, and Richard Maltby, Jr. are just a few of the names that will be sharing stories and songs from the aforementioned unmentionable musicals that had abbreviated runs.
Oh what the heck, they were flops. And they are funny.
What's your favorite flop? Comment below (email subscribers click here) and one lucky winner will be going to see If It Only Even Runs A Minute 9 for free! (And let me tell you from having been to a few of the 1-8s, it's a blast!)
Flop away! (And if you really enjoy flopsicals, then this book is a must read.)
(Got a comment? I love 'em, so comment below! Email subscribers, click here, then scroll down, to say what's on your mind!)
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FUN STUFF:
- Take the How To Market Your Show With No Money seminar on 3/20! Click here.
- Take the Musical Boot Camp! Click here for info and an application.
- Broadway Road Trip from DC on 4/28. Click here.
Ok, here's a first in the five years (!) of Producer's Perspective history!
I had another giveaway all lined up for today. I had finished the blog entry and everything. And then I got a call about the reading of the new musical I'm working on, and thought . . . wait a minute . . . my readers are peeps that are interested in seeing how shows develop, right? So, why not give away two tickets to the reading? Because while tickets to a reading may not have a price tag attached, for the right person, they might be more valuable than a couple of tickets to INSERT NAME OF BROADWAY SHOW HERE.
Readings are a first peek at a new show. A chance for the writers to hear what it sounds like out loud, and a chance for an audience of industry VIPs . . . well, to judge it like a sow at a country fair. :-)
But it's a beginning, and I find beginnings exciting.
And one of you and a guest will be joining me at my reading of Garage Band!
It's going to be a lot of fun, and features a killer cast including Micky Dolenz (yep, that Micky Dolenz, from The Monkees), Tony Award Winner Beth Leavel, Andy Karl, Amy Spanger, Alex Gemignani, and a whole heck of a lot more. Jonathan Larson Award Winner Mark Allen wrote the music and lyrics, and Gillian Berkowitz will be providing the musical direction.
The book was written in the same way that I put together The Awesome 80s Prom. I cast a bunch of actor/writers, and for three months we created characters, improvised scenes, and then we distilled all that down into a script . . . and the story that we came up with goes something like this:
When Mitch Shapiro gets fired from his Wall Street job on his 40th Birthday, he has no choice but to move back in with his mom . . . in New Jersey. On his first day back, his best friend from high school suggests that they "put the band back together!" Mitch thinks his buddy is crazy. But when Tygen Billows, a local real estate mogul and the town douchebag threatens to foreclose on Mitch's mom unless Mitch agrees to a re-match of their infamous battle of the bands, Mitch realizes he may have no choice.
So how do you get to be a part of this (hopeful) Broadway beginning?
Tell me . . . were you in a band? If so, what was it called? If you weren't in a band, did you want to be? Was a friend in a band?
Tell me your rock and roll band story, no matter what it is and I'll pick a random winner to attend the private reading of Garage Band.
See you there!
(Oh, one more thing - the reading is this Friday at 3 PM in midtown - which means we'll be announcing the winner on Thursay. Stay tuned!)
(Got a comment? I love 'em, so comment below! Email subscribers, click here, then scroll down, to say what's on your mind!)
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FUN STUFF:
- Join me at the NY Cares Soiree! Get tix here.
- Take the Musical Boot Camp! Click here for info and an application.
- Broadway Road Trip from DC on 4/28. Click here.
The producer of the Off-Broadway productions of Altar Boyz, The Awesome 80s Prom and My First Time as well as You're Welcome America, 13, Speed the Plow, and Blithe Spirit on Broadway.
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