# What Other Musicals Should Get the Network Live Treatment? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 2, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946 "2016-02-02T14:08:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/1 "2016-02-02T14:08:40Z")
I’d love to see Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, and West Side Story. ---
**Author:** ![DeepLiquid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deepliquid/32/14893_2.png) [@DeepLiquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepLiquid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/2 "2016-02-02T14:36:24Z")
I’d enjoy seeing _Rent_. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/3 "2016-02-02T15:43:21Z")
Jesus Christ Superstar. It could be a (Super) Star Studded Easter Spectacular! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/4 "2016-02-02T15:59:35Z")
I’d love **The Drowsy Chaperone** , but it’s not popular enough to be considered. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/5 "2016-02-02T16:01:43Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > Jesus Christ Superstar. > > It could be a (Super) Star Studded Easter Spectacular! I wonder how it would go over now since it shows Judas in such a sympathetic manner. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/6 "2016-02-02T16:04:29Z")
While I enjoy _The Fantasticks_, I can’t imagine national TV doing the _Rape_ number these days. _Camelot, Man Of La Mancha_ and _A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum_ are all possibles. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/7 "2016-02-02T16:08:48Z")
Les Miz, Avenue Q, Mama Mia. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/8 "2016-02-02T16:27:40Z")
I thought I read somewhere that one of the networks was considering “The Music Man”. Could work with the right Harold Hill. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/9 "2016-02-02T16:54:02Z")
Paint Your Wagon. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/10 "2016-02-02T17:08:41Z")
> [@h.sapiens](#): > > I thought I read somewhere that one of the networks was considering “The Music Man”. Could work with the right Harold Hill. NBC did a version (no live) back in 2002 with Matthew Broderick (who probably wasn’t right for the part). I’d love to see _Avenue Q_, but I doubt any broadcast network would be willing to air it. “My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada” alone would be a dealbreaker. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/11 "2016-02-02T17:12:31Z")
“High School Musical” It’s been a decade since the first came out and ABC/Disney has a new generation to brainwash and 18-35 to get nostalgic for the good old days. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/12 "2016-02-02T17:14:40Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > NBC did a version (no live) back in 2002 with Matthew Broderick (who probably wasn’t right for the part). > > I’d love to see _Avenue Q_, but I doubt any broadcast network would be willing to air it. “My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada” alone would be a dealbreaker. Maybe cable could get into the live musical game. TBS? AMC? FX? ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/13 "2016-02-02T17:33:35Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I wonder how it would go over now since it shows Judas in such a sympathetic manner. That musical is over 40 years old, I think people have had enough time to get used to the idea. It’s even done AT churches now. I’m actually kind of surprised Hamilton hasn’t been talked about. I think if they held off another year it could be a insanely popular. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/14 "2016-02-02T19:40:35Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I wonder how it would go over now since it shows Judas in such a sympathetic manner. When the album came out, “National Review” said the Judas character was the perfect liberal. They loved the portrayal of Herod and the apostles song was perfect Gilbert and Sullivan. What they didn’t like was portraying Jesus as too whiny. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/15 "2016-02-02T19:55:02Z")
I’d vote for _Man of La Mancha_ because it’s a beautiful score and the movie version was terrible. I’d cast Brian Stokes Mitchell, whose Broadway cast album is my favorite… The movie version of _Fiddler_ is near perfect but I’d love to see it as a big budget stage show. The Mendes _Cabaret_ needs to be preserved (there’s a BBC version, but it wasn’t definitive). I also think it’s time for the right singer/actor to reinvent Henry Higgins. > [@Loach](#): > > I wonder how it would go over now since it shows Judas in such a sympathetic manner. The _[Gospel of Judas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Judas)_ gained huge news a few years ago when a more complete version was shown, and it portrays him in a sympathetic manner. I’d vote against a TV version of JCS, though, because it has two decent screen tellings. ---
**Author:** ![lew\_cody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e274bd/32.png) [@lew\_cody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lew_cody)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/16 "2016-02-03T00:34:47Z")
_Lady in the Dark_ would be fun to see; it has a wonderful score, the potential for colorful settings, a demanding role for the lead actress, and a film version that didn’t do it much justice. The negatives are that not many people have heard of it, and certain plot elements (psychoanalysis, gender roles) will seem dated, even sexist. Making it a 1940s period piece could help, but it still wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of java. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/17 "2016-02-03T00:37:47Z")
How about The Phantom of the Opera? ---
**Author:** ![mage-girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@mage-girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mage-girl)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/18 "2016-02-03T00:48:38Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I’d love to see Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago, and West Side Story. Oooh, Chicago. I wasn’t a big musical fan, but I liked the film version. Seeing it live would be crazy! 🙂 Enjoyed Moulin Rouge too, but I’m not sure the general public liked it enough to want to see a live version. 😃 Was it a true musical though, or a film with musical numbers? I don’t know how you tell. :o ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/19 "2016-02-03T01:02:11Z")
South Pacific – bonus for doing it on an actual tropical island. Another vote for Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Nathan Lane could even reprise his role! Wicked. Please. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946/20 "2016-02-03T01:06:46Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I’d vote for _Man of La Mancha_ because it’s a beautiful score and the movie version was terrible. I’d cast Brian Stokes Mitchell, whose Broadway cast album is my favorite… Very nice choice. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-musicals-should-get-the-network-live-treatment/744946.md?page=2)