| re: My review of THE HONEYMOONERS: New Jersey world premiere of new musical based on the TV sitcom | |
| Posted by: ChipL955 09:48 am EDT 10/09/17 | |
| In reply to: My review of THE HONEYMOONERS: New Jersey world premiere of new musical based on the TV sitcom - jesse21 08:36 pm EDT 10/08/17 | |
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| A musical version of "The Honeymooners" doesn't sound too far-fetched to me. It's already been a musical--many musicals, in fact. Although I wasn't around yet when the "Classic 39" episodes were aired, watching "The Jackie Gleason Show" of the 1960s and early '70s was a Saturday-night ritual in our house. And starting around 1965 or 1966, many of the episodes were 60-minute musicalized "Honeymooners" episodes, with Jackie Gleason as Ralph, Art Carney as Norton, Sheila MacRae as Alice (she was no Audrey Meadows) and Jane Kean as Trixie (who never seemed to have much to do). Many episodes started out with big production numbers that set the scene for the episode and gave the June Taylor Dancers the chance to do their high kicks and famous "kaleidoscope" choreography. Even though I saw these episodes only twice (once the first time around, and then again during the summer reruns), two of these songs have stuck with me all these years: "The Weekly Wash" (set on the rooftop of the Kramdens' and Nortons' apartment building, with lots of clotheslines) and "Central Park" ("Come to Central Park! / The air is so exciting that a smile might kindle a spark! / There's fun for all / One and all! / A heavenly oasis / Of friendly, happy faces / In Cennnn-trallll Park!"). There always seemed to be a duet for Ralph and Ed, or Ralph and Alice, as well. There were probably four or five songs in every episode. So there could be an audience among baby-boomers for this show--maybe not on Broadway, but certainly at regional and community productions, where even now I frequently feel like the youngest person in the audience. |
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| Previous: | How's Trix? Here's pix of Joyce Randolph, 92, at the opening of 'The Honeymooners' - WaymanWong 03:28 pm EDT 10/09/17 |
| Next: | This....sounds horrible. Shows like this are killing broadway with their badness (NM) - Hair 02:38 am EDT 10/09/17 |
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