Threaded Order Chronological Order
| Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. | |
| Posted by: Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| I saw &Juliet, a big hit in London and transferring to Bway. It’s a jukebox musical with Max Martin’s numerous hits strung together in a feminist retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Is this the Britney Spears musical that people have talked about? Half the songs are hers. While generally fun, the whole time I kept thinking, wow, this whole jukebox musical concept is just stupid. The songs sort of fit the moment, but then the moments move in rapid fire. There’s song after song after song that don’t move the plot much. It takes much more than fantastic singers and actors to make a show work. Jukebox musicals like Beautiful, Tina, and MJ were hits because of the link fans felt with those singers and their life stories. This doesn’t have that emotional pull because the focus is the songs, not a singer. I predict &Juliet will be a middling hit on Bway, like the one with Go-Go’s songs. My major question is why did any producer think this should cross the pond?? At this point, aren’t we all sick to death of jukebox musicals? |
|
| reply to this message |
| Ain't Too Proud | |
| Posted by: Charlie_Baker 07:16 pm EDT 08/29/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| No one has mentioned this one--I'm not a fan of the genre, but I wound up enjoying it more than I expected. I think it was hurt by the pandemic, and might have kept going for a while. | |
| reply to this message |
| re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. | |
| Posted by: Live_From_London 04:59 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| I enjoyed &Juliet more than I do most jukebox shows. Alot of the songs are well used, it's funny, has great pacing and it's a fun night out, however the book had me rolling my eyes far too often, and it's that, that has kept me from going back. I play the cast recording regularly and 'One More Try' the only original song in the show, was my most played song of 2021. I think it will do well on Broadway. It's a crowd pleaser!. It will capture a lot of the audience that went to Six. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. | |
| Posted by: HadriansMall 05:05 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Live_From_London 04:59 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| I saw this here in London yesterday. I agree with Live From London that I enjoyed it more than most jukebox musicals. Most of the songs fit the moment and I think it is helped IMMENSELY by a clever and engaging book. It’s fun - if you don’t think too hard about what you’re watching. It’s (very) light entertainment and should be looked at as such. I had a good time which is more than I can say for many jukebox musicals | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| BANDSTAND had an original score | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 04:41 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| By Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor. Laura in LA, entirely sick of jukebox musicals |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. | |
| Posted by: NeoAdamite 03:52 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| aren’t we all sick to death of jukebox musicals? We on this board may be, but producers are not. Like movie adaptations, they have a presold audience. Does anyone know, statistically speaking, if they're a safer bet than non-jukebox shows? That is, are the odds of recoupment better or worse? |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 09:18 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - NeoAdamite 03:52 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| I don't know about the financial side of things, but one "safer bet" for sure, with jukebox musicals (and revivals of the most iconic older shows) is that no ne has to worry about anyone "humming the tunes on the way out." because everyone can hum the tunes on the WAY IN.... | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 03:37 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| "At this point, aren’t we all sick to death of jukebox musicals?" I certainly am. I recently saw a production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I had forgotten what a messy mix of songs it is. No unifying them at all. I disliked it on Broadway, but thought I'd give a scaled down production a chance. Still disliked it. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| Only around 20-25% of musicals recoup | |
| Posted by: dramedy 04:18 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - PlazaBoy 03:37 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| I don’t think jukebox are any better than that. I usually split jukebox where songs are inserted around a plot and biographical musicals like beautiful and beautiful noise. In this century, there were 4 hits (Jersey boys, beautiful, Springsteen and probably MJ). The flops are baby it’s you, fela!, Motown, night with Janis Joplin, on your feet, escape to margaritaville, summer, cher show, Tina. For jukebox in plot are 3: mamma Mia, rock of ages American idiot. I think the flops are Dance of the vampire, urban cowboy, good vibrations, all shook up, Lennon, ring of fire, hot feet, Pricilla, disaster, bandstand, head over heels, girl from north country So the answer is no—use of familiar songs doesn’t seem to guarantee success. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Only around 20-25% of musicals recoup | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 04:52 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: Only around 20-25% of musicals recoup - dramedy 04:18 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| Bandstand isn’t a jukebox musical. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Only around 20-25% of musicals recoup | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 05:20 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 05:10 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Only around 20-25% of musicals recoup - dramedy 04:18 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| Motown definitely recouped on Broadway. I also heard reports that it made a ton of money with its national tour. American Idiot did not recoup on Broadway, but it was followed by a lengthy tour. Is there anecdotal evidence that it recouped via that route? The Boy from Oz recouped. I believe that Ain't Too Proud announced recoupment a few months ago. Didn't it receive covid money? I would put a show like Springsteen on Broadway in the same category as American Utopia; Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway; Freestyle Love Supreme-- all of which recouped -- because they are more like concerts. Rain probably belongs in this group also. However, I agree with your statement that the use of familiar songs doesn't give a show a greater chance at success over those with original scores. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Posted by: dramedy 05:33 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Only around 20-25% of musicals recoup - BroadwayTonyJ 05:10 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| JLP is a flop and I predict MR will also. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 05:57 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - dramedy 05:33 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| There are probably others. It depends on how far back we want to go. It's also hard to classify some shows like the "new" Gershwin musicals: 3 hits (My One and Only, Crazy for You, American in Paris) and a miss (Nice Work If You Can Get It). |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| I don’t think American in Paris recouped | |
| Posted by: dramedy 06:26 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - BroadwayTonyJ 05:57 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| It was close but I don’t think it did. There’s also Hershey felders George Gershwin Alone. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: I don’t think American in Paris recouped | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 06:54 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: I don’t think American in Paris recouped - dramedy 06:26 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| An American in Paris did not recoup on Broadway but must have recouped via the national tour that followed. Regarding the concert-type shows, Elaine Stritch at Liberty, Barbara's Cook Broadway!, Bea Arthur's Broadway all recouped. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: I don’t think American in Paris recouped | |
| Posted by: jjbkvm 07:26 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: I don’t think American in Paris recouped - BroadwayTonyJ 06:54 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| Yes but thats probably because the original show toured, not a replacement cast. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 06:18 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - BroadwayTonyJ 05:57 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| I'll add Dream (1997), featuring the lyrics of Johnny Mercer. My first jukebox musical, although I wouldn't have known that phrase then. It was pretty bad. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 09:20 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - PlazaBoy 06:18 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| Dream isn't a jukebox musical. It's a revue. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 10:44 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - KingSpeed 09:20 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
|
|
|
| Yes, I acknowledged that in the thread prior to your post. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 06:47 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - PlazaBoy 06:18 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| The phrase "jukebox musical" apparently became popular when Mamma Mia! burst on the scene and became an enormous hit in 1999. However, I assume that there must have been revues on Broadway during the 30's and 40's that featured non-original songs, but I don't have the knowledge to verify it. Comden and Green did a revue in the 50's made up of their previously written songs. Green Grow the Lilacs in 1931 has always been considered a play yet it featured a whole score of traditional folk songs, at least 12 musical numbers according to IBDB. The Black Crook in 1866 contained a lot of music and songs that was not original. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Posted by: Live_From_London 08:00 am EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - BroadwayTonyJ 06:47 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| I always think of a Jukebox Musical as a show with a new book connecting it all together, with the artists' songs shoe horned in, and Mamma Mia was one of the first. I want to say that 5 Guys Named Moe was a musical, or was it a revue? MM definitely led the way for anyone with a back catalogue to try and make a show out of it, rarely with a similar level of success. We've had Boney M, Rod Stuart, Spice Girls, Madness - though I did enjoy 'Our House' if only because it used a clever 'sliding doors' 'What/If' type scenario and had some good ideas. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Posted by: PlazaBoy 07:49 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - BroadwayTonyJ 06:47 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| Thank you for the information. Dream would probably be most accurately categorized as a revue, although there was some attempt at a narrative. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 08:12 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 08:11 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: re: We both forgot moulin rouge and jagged little pill - PlazaBoy 07:49 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between a revue and a book musical. However, traditionally, most theatre historians have always referred to revues and book shows as musicals, just like the Tonys do. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. | |
| Posted by: dreamawakening 03:28 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| you are correct - no one needs another jukebox musical. ever. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. | |
| Posted by: student_rush 03:11 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| “Head Over Heels” was the Go-Go musical, and it was a colossal bomb, not a middling hit. One of the worst things I’ve ever seen. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| I think the Britney Spears musical | |
| Posted by: dramedy 02:56 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| Is once upon a one more time that had a try out in dc. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| I think the Britney Spears musical | |
| Posted by: dramedy 02:56 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
| In reply to: Saw &Juliet and I have questions…. - Zelgo 02:48 pm EDT 08/27/22 | |
|
|
|
| Is once upon a one more time that had a try out in dc. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
Time to render: 0.280940 seconds.