West End and Broadway musicals in Oz

Wed, 18 July 2007, 11:18 am

Bishop25 posts in thread

I can't claim credit for this post. I thought it was so good that I have ripped it from anopther site. Credit must go to posull78 (actual identity unknown) Was looking at the musicals that have opened or are to open on the west end and broadway and was thinking what ones who haven't graced our shores will make it to Australia at all.... Broadway - originated/whats on[u] 110 in the Shade (unlikely) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (NOW RUNNING - SYDNEY) Avenue Q (2008/09 in Sydney and Melbourne) A Chorus Line (unlikely as we had revival in last 10 years) The Colour Purple (unlikely - too hard to cast here) Curtains (doubtful - maybe STC/MTC) Drowsy Chaperone (rumoured to tour to Oz - unlikely following London failure) Grey Gardens (unlikely) Hairspray (still possible - if movie is success) Jersey Boys (unlikely - not enough interest in four seasons) Legally Blonde (love to see this - will depend on Broadway success) The Little Mermaid (likely, depend on broadway success and not until at least 2010) Spamalot (CONFIRMED - MELBOURNE NOVEMBER) Spring Awakening (Likely, but sounds like off the agenda for now.. maybe 2009 STC/MTC) Wicked (CONFRIMED - MELBOURNE MID 2008) Xanadu (Likely due to Aussie connection - depend on Broadway success) Young Frankenstein (Likely, probably 2009/2010) West End - originated/whats on[u] Bad Girls the musical (wont ever happen here.. no fan base for Tv show) Billy Eliott (CONFIRMED - SYDNEY NOV 2007) Blood Brothers (done Australia twice already - unlikely again) Buddy (done Australia - unlikely again) Cabaret (done too recently - unlikely again for at least 10 years) Desperately Seeking Susan (possible, not until at least 2009/2010) Dirty Dancing (done Australia - probably come back within 5 years) Fiddler on the Roof (Australian tour just complete) Gone with the Wind (unlikely - suprised if this last a year when opening in London next year) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (wouldn't be surpised if this appears here again soon - through reality TV show!) Les Miserables (possible again - reckon after Phantom tour we will see this revived again) Little Shop of Horrors (unlikely to see here again soon) Lord of the Rings (unlikely as staging is too expensive) Mamma Mia (likely revival in 5 years time) Marguerite (new Boubill and Shoenberg opening next year - definite no) Mary Poppins (2009 Melbourne or Sydney) The Phantom of the Opera (CONFIRMED RETURN - JULY 2007 MELBOURNE) Parade (opens at Donmar - please please please Kookaburra or STC?MTC do this) Sound of Music (watch out for 2008 reality TV show casting this one in Oz) We Will Rock You (Australian tour complete) So from what we see now, three new musicals are confirmed for next 12 months Billy Elliott, Spamalot and Wicked. Revivals of The Phantom of the Opera also confirmed. So potentials are probably only Avenue Q, Spring Awakening and Mary Poppins and if a TV network gets behind it we will see Sound of Music or Joseph cast by public vote. What do others think? What would you like to see in Australia from the above list?

Thread (25 posts)

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BishopWed, 18 July 2007, 11:18 am

NaWed, 18 July 2007, 11:57 am

I'd like to see Avenue Q

I'd like to see Avenue Q (wonder why ;) ), but actually I'd like to see less big broadway/west end stuff, and more big Australian-made stuff. That's just my two cents anyway... Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

LogosWed, 18 July 2007, 12:11 pm

You missed one from Broadway

The Light In The Piazza. Beautiful music Only 18 in the full cast. Simple to stage. Won a couple of Tony's I'd like to see Avenue Q too. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

BishopWed, 18 July 2007, 01:56 pm

Avenue Q

I saw Avenue Q last year and it is very funny. Even more politically incorrect than the Producers and would really appeal to Aussie audiences. It does need to be in a small theatre though. You need to be close.

NaWed, 18 July 2007, 02:29 pm

There's plenty of puppetry

There's plenty of puppetry around in Australia to find a decent venue. In Melbourne you have any number of places, from the Malthouse to the VAC. I'm sure Sydney would be easily accomodated in one of the smaller venues at the SOH... And you can't tell me that there isn't somewhere small in QLD and the western states. And yes, I think it would be extremely popular here. Take a look at the recent Puppet Up tour - a sell out even before it opened. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Sean BWed, 18 July 2007, 04:50 pm

The Broadway theatre for

The Broadway theatre for Avenue Q holds 796 people. I checked that out today. As such it doesn't gross as much as other shows on Broadway but it's average ticket price is much nicer on the pocket than some of the other big Tony Award winning shows....Lion King for example (staying with puppets) had a full 100% full week this week with average ticket prices way over $100US. I can't wait to see Avenue Q, in Australia or B'Way. I've had the soundtrack for sooooooo long now. Love the show to bits. Can't wait to see Spamalot too. And it's close to my b'day (can anyone say b;day present!) Got my tickets for Phantom. Didn't Miss Saigon...oh look I used their pun! I found the grossing sections on the Playbill site. It's a fascinating read. Mary Poppins would be good to see I think, memories from my childhood. Wouldn't mind a pro tour of Les Mis from the real deal people so I could see that one for real. Yeah Thats my two bobs for the moment ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: A nice break before jumping into my next project.

BishopWed, 18 July 2007, 05:59 pm

Avenue Q - spend the money and get a good seat.

I was in New York last December when I saw Avenue Q. My seat was in the grand circle 4 rows from the back. If its the same theatre and it holds 796, the stalls, which I didn't get to see, must be massive. All I can say is that if it comes to town, spend the money and get a good seat. I also got to see Wicked and I think Australian audiences will absolutely love it. Given its appropriate for people of any age, it might well run forever. BTW, I saw Les Miserable as well and it was dreadful - a real let down. The cast a look on their faces like they weren't being paid enough. I also caught the latest version of Chicago starring Huey Lewis. Hopefully this heads back to where it came from and stays there.

Erin CWed, 18 July 2007, 08:12 pm

link

could you post the playbill site link, sounds like a good read. thx

Sean BWed, 18 July 2007, 08:18 pm

Sorry bout that, I wrote

Sorry bout that, I wrote that in a rush and didn't have time to research links. Of course I can post them for you all. The Playbill site in general is: http://www.playbill.com/ and this is the Broadway Grosses page: http://www.playbill.com/features/section/7.html Really interesting read that. ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: A nice break before jumping into my next project.

Walter PlingeWed, 18 July 2007, 09:43 pm

woman in white! it's a

woman in white! it's a fantastic show i saw the original cast with maria friedman, and michael crawford as well as WAAPA's own martin crewe. It was superb, though i doubt it would run in oz simply because it seems that many people are unfamiliar with the wilkie collins stories??? light in the piazza... would be a shame if this beautiful music never came...

Neville TalbotThu, 19 July 2007, 12:10 pm

I'm with NA

Saw Wicked and Avenue Q in London just at the start of this year. Both unbelievable shows, very different set ups. I think Avenue Q is much easier to mount here with theatres etc, and yes- IT COULD COME TO PERTH! YAY! But I was in the second row for Q- it's worth being that close. Wicked I was further back. Too expensive to get a close seat for that one. Still, the sheer 'grandness' of that production means pretty much any seat will have an impact. This is not coming near Perth though! However, as far as stuff coming to Oz- let's see more Australian shows... Very little in the list does much for me. I think pretty much everything I might be interested in seeing is coming anyway. and I saw the pro production in London of Les Mis, and agree it was pretty ordinary mostly. In many ways I enjoyed the performances of my cast in our little production in Mount Isa back in '04 more. anyways, that's my 2 bob nev It's the simple things stupid...

LogosThu, 19 July 2007, 12:32 pm

Where are the Oz musicals

There aren't many. I remember the "Short History of Australia" debacle. There's Jon English's "Paris" which seems to be gradually building up. There was the magnificent "Boys Own MacBeth" (By the way my cast recording LP didn't survive the return trip from the UK so I'm trying to replace it if anyone has one.) While I was living in Tas someone did a musical of "For the Term of His natural Life" and what has happened to the musical of "Eureka" is that still around. The only Aussie musical that gets regular runs that I know of is the seminal "Sentimental Bloke." I'm sure I've missed some. I know it costs millions to get a full scale musical to the stage and producers in this country probably don't have the money to risk on completely untried work but you'd think you'd see more. Is it just money or is there something else that stops us from producing new musicals? Maybe this should be a thread of it's own. Any thoughts? And I know that a lot of "legitimate" theatre people look down their noses at musicals as populist trash but think about shows like "Showboat", "Hair", "Rent" and many others that have illuminated social issues and societal changes. It can be a very valuable tool. And as an afterthought I'm sorry that "The Drowsy Chaperone" failed in London I haven't seen the show but I have the soundtrack and I love it. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

NaThu, 19 July 2007, 12:49 pm

I think it's money. It

I think it's money. It costs a huge amount to produce large cast shows, that require not just large stages, but large wages, large lighting equipment lists, more costumes and set pieces... This is why theatres regularly produce shows for a cast of less than 10 (most competitions only accept small numbers of characters in the scripts), and musicals/operas are mainly performed by amateur groups - who can easily accomodate a larger cast. Then you've also got the - misinformed - mindset that musicals and opera are for the upper class, or that they are boring... And then you have got social trends; short musical sketch comedy is popular at the moment, but so is musicals with a storyline strung around a band's popular songs... But mainly it's the money. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Sean BThu, 19 July 2007, 02:42 pm

And to add to your list the

And to add to your list the newly Tony award winning adaptation of 'Spring Awakening' which is mad over in the US at the moment. Although the storyline doesn't appeal to me too much (because I am a teenager??? I dunno) what does is the way they break the fourth wall and have audience on stage which adds another dimension to the show. Add 'Boy From Oz' to your list- that would be our most successful musical wouldn't it? How about the more recent 'Dusty' now looking at stage time in the UK. 'Priscilla' is being talked about for both West End and B'Way. 'Dirty Dancing' started it's stage musical life here too didn't it? Maybe we are finally cutting it in the Musical Theatre 'export' world and soon we will have a larger list of Aussie shows that have made it not only here but overseas too. as for Eureka... I always thought it sounded like Les Mis. A tongue in cheek article on Theatre People (www.theatrepeople.com.au) comments on the Guild Awards in Ballarat and talks about Eureka maybe resurfacing there! ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: A nice break before jumping into my next project.

LogosThu, 19 July 2007, 03:36 pm

OK I'll buy the boy from Oz

OK I'll buy the boy from Oz and Priscilla and I know Dusty was written here but it's not Australian and I don't really see that sort of tribute show as a musical per se. It's more a dramatised concert. Dirty Dancing is American. Spring Awakening I didn't know about. I guess I'm looking for trult original shows with Australian Themes. Probably not a lot of world wide interest I guess. Theatre at that end of the spectrum is becoming multi national and needs to deal with themes that way. Another show not on the list above by the way is the stunning "Bombay Dreams" by A R Rahman. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Sean BThu, 19 July 2007, 03:42 pm

Qualifying lists- 'Spring

Qualifying lists- 'Spring Awakening' for the 'Rent' and 'Showboat' list, not the aus one. Although the play version recently played in Melbourne I suppose the 'tribute show' depends on the context. For instance I'm mad about 'Jersey Boys' at the moment, and my friend who saw it said it was amazing. I know what you mean about original australian shows. I thought the stage version of Dirty Dancing did have something to do with aus though. I have a book/pamphlet/program from an exhibition held at the Melbourne Arts Centre called 'Making a Song and Dance' or something like that about Australian Musicals. It lists a number of aussie musicals that were successful during their times. Interesting read...I might try and fish it out. Has anyone looked into the B'Way grossings yet? What do you think? Interesting eh? ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: A nice break before jumping into my next project.

Walter PlingeThu, 19 July 2007, 08:06 pm

Wicked

Just back from London and saw Wicked. I will be booking tickets as soon as they are released. Would love to see Carolyn Ferrie play Glinda, Anthony W as the Wizard, Susanne Walker as his offsider, but the role of Elpheba .... hmmm had brief thoughts of Vanessa Amorossi but don't know if she can act, fear an ex-Idol getting the role, maybe David Campbell as the leading man. Just think Carolyn Ferrie would be superb as Glinda, or Sharon Millichip (sorry if spelt wrong), as both have the range, but think Carolyn acting prowess is stronger for that role, though Sharon has a sort of cheecky vampness that would suit the Good Witch. Any other suggestions?

dancektpFri, 20 July 2007, 08:32 am

Spring Awakening

I was in New York over new years and into January this year and was lucky enough to see a few shows. The Drowsy Chaperone - fabulous sets and costumes. The characters were fun and the cast spectacular - hail to Beth and Sutton - I can see this show working well in Australia at both community and professional levels. There is scope for a large cast, but the professional production only has a chorus of 4. Personally am hanging out for the amateur rights so I can direct and/or chore this. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Can't wait for either the amateur rights to become available or for it to tour to Perth. I loved the show. Company - The revival was ok. I love this show, but it has been done before in Perth. I would love to see some of his other shows done instead. Into the woods, Sweeney Todd, Passion, Saturday Night, Sunday in the park with George. Avenue Q - I loved this show. We took my dad to see this for his 60th birthday and had third row seats for the sunday show (then we went to Sardi's for dinner - but that's a whole other story). We paid over $100US for our tickets but it was worth every sent. I got totally lost in the puppets at some point and the actors at others. I would love to see it a couple more times one to watch just the puppets and one to watch just the actors. This show would work wonderfully in Australia and with the simplicity of the set it will be easy to tour. Last and certainly not least: Spring Awakening - Knowing nothing of the story before I saw this - I was told by a friend who lives in NYC to see this so I did - I walked out not too sure what I thought of the show. But woke up the next morning with the opening song in my head. The more I listen to the music the more I love it. I know one of the cast members and think this is one of the best musicals I have seen. The setting in simplistic and effective, the lighting enhances the show and the basic costumes kept the age of the characters in perspective. In regards to the stage seating, I'm glad I saw the show from up in the gods the first time and would of loved to of had the time to go back and get stage seats. I was not at all surprised when it won as many Tony's as it did. The one that surprised me the most was Choreography. It was so simplistic and more like a stylised movement than dance. I am waiting for the amateur rights to direct this one. On another note. There are alot of off broadway shows at the moment that would not necessarily work on a professional level here, but are fabulous for community. Such as any of the Forbidden Broadways, In My Life, Evil Dead the musical and my favourite Altar Boyz. Altar Boyz is the story of a Christian Boy Band on the final night of their 'Raise the Praise' tour. The band, originally from Ohio, is made up of Matthew, Mark Luke, Juan and Abraham.

Sean BFri, 20 July 2007, 02:34 pm

Abraham? He's jewish!

Abraham? He's jewish! That's the gag isn't it. Sweeney Todd was done in the style of 'Company'. I have the Playbill for it and more recently I bought the soundtrack from it. It originally started in the UK as a group of actor/musicians who yes wanted to do everything. Anyway it started off small...made it to the West End where Sondheim found it, loved it, and took it to Broadway! Not a bad story eh! It sounds as though it's set in a mental institution with Tobias' memories being the plot that we're used to. No one ever leaves the stage I believe as they all play the instruments etc and you have to imagine the barber and the pie shop. Looks fantastic. Definately a brilliant realisation of the show. ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: A nice break before jumping into my next project.

dancektpFri, 20 July 2007, 02:58 pm

Company

I have friends who saw the production on Broadway and they told me of the setting. They said it was really different, but worked. The concept of the actors as the musicians also worked alot better for Sweeney Todd than Company.

Sean BFri, 20 July 2007, 07:47 pm

I had that feeling, I

I had that feeling, I thought Todd would work better in this format than Company. I hear they might do other Sondheim shows in this fashion too, no facts, just rumour. ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: A nice break before jumping into my next project.

Walter PlingeFri, 24 Aug 2007, 05:24 pm

What would i most like to see

I would love to see AVENUE Q i live in sydney and have only listened to the movie and seen the book but i and everyone else i show it too wether it be at school or whatever LOVES IT. Again there are many venues but the most viable ones would either be at STAR CITY or the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE. Definetly would be a smash and the sooner the better everyone i know would come and see it (im 15 by the way) so fucking hilariouse. Please come and do it in australia!

Walter PlingeMon, 24 Sept 2007, 05:59 pm

I would love to see Les

I would love to see Les Miserables done. Recently i saw the school edition performed and it was brilliant! I must say i would enjoy seeing the full scale version of it performed broadway.

Walter PlingeSun, 21 Oct 2007, 11:19 am

Altar Boyz

Altar Boyz are coming to Sydney in June 08 followed by Melbourne in August 08 and Brisbane October 08. The Boyz will then tour the rest of Australia in 2009. Tell all your friends Steve

Sean BSun, 21 Oct 2007, 04:37 pm

Anyone that's Wicked

Anyone that's Wicked minded, have you tripped down to Frankston to see the whopping great Times Square-esque Bill Board on the corner of one of the buildings. I also hear it has a full page advertisment in Priscilla's Program. ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: 'Locked In' a short play based on a real life experience For more details visit: www.freewebs.com/lazycreationsgroup

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