It all started innocently with “Beatlemania” in the late Seventies. But now, it seems as if every other show on London’s West End or on Broadway is really just a series of dance numbers worked around the GReatest Hits of some Sixties or Seventies pop music act.
“Mama Mia” based on Abba songs
“Movin’ Out,” based on Billy Joel songs
“We Will Rock You,” based on Queen songs
And I’ve heard that shows based on Rod Stewart and the Beach Boys are right around the corner, if they haven’t opened already.
Now, I really think this is a regrettable trend, even though I understand why it’s happening. It’s just so expensive to stage a new musical that producers don’t want to take chances on a brand new musical score audiences might not like. It’s much safer to use songs that the mass audience already knows and loves.
Still… it makes you wonder, who’s next?
“I Write the Songs,” based on the best of Barry Manilow?
“Get Down Tonight,” based on KC & the Sunchine Band hits?
“Jive Talkin’,” based on the Bee Gees’ catalogue?
Feel free to be as silly or as serious as you likme in your proposals. Because no matter how silly you THINK your suggestion may be, it’s probbaly no sillier than some shows ALREADY under way… and you may just be prescient!!!
“Good Viabrations” is in previews now and is having a lot of trouble. “Taboo” based on Boy George, was a major failure. Manilow himself has written “Copacabana” and it’s suppose to be a pretty good show.
Twyla Tharp (creator/choreographer of Movin’ Out) has announced she is going to do the same thing with (or should I say “do the same thing to”, seeing as how it’s atrocious) Bob Dylan’s oeuvre.
I always assumed Elton John/Bernie Taupin are heading that way. He meets all the basic criteria:
[ul]
[li]Lots of songs that everyone knows the words to[/li][li]hasn’t had a big hit in years[/li][li]Few if any of his songs are at all controversial or challenging to the average listener[/li][/ul]
I was going to say Morrison too, but since someone beat me to it, my idea for a hit show:
Beatlemania Mania!, a Broadway show about the forming of the “incredible simulation” group from the 80s that still uses the Apple songbook.
After tapping my feet for two hours watching Standing in the Shadows of MoTown, I think that a musical about (and starring) the Funk Brothers would kick some box office arse.
For alternative tastes, a show based on the Sex Pistols (“Sid & Nancy: the Musical!”) or The Dead Kennedys might work.
I know it got major press, but was Boy from Oz a major success? The reason I’m wondering is that if it was a huge moneymaker it would seem it would have kept running with another star when Jackman left.