Bad Vibrations?
So, in case you aren't already aware, Rich and I are going to NYC in April to see Mr. Hadary's new show, All Shook Up. As you may have guessed from its name, the songs used are all by Elvis, but the story is an original one, not about his life or anything. Anyway, it's one of a slew of such "jukebox musicals" that have been invading Broadway in the past few years, starting with Mamma Mia!, the ABBA musical and then Billy Joel's Movin' Out.
Although both of those shows have done well, a lot of dedicated Bway aficionados are growing sour on the idea of more shows with unoriginal songbooks. Good Vibrations, a musical based around (you guessed it) songs from the Beach Boys, has been the most recent jukebox musical to open on the Great White Way. And the reviews have been dismal.
I fervently hope that this is just because the show itself is pure crap, which is what lots of people on the Broadway boards that saw it in previews have said. Hopefully it's not just being shot down because it IS one of these jukebox shows-- if that IS the case, then I fear for All Shook Up when it opens in March. :
The difference is that All Shook Up has received mostly positive and mixed reviews from theatregoers and critics who have seen it in CT or Chicago. Very few people have really torn it apart, unlike GV, which got mutilated from its first few showings.
Although I'm personally not thrilled with the recent (and up-coming. . .there's already a Lennon show coming later this year, and I'm sure more are in the works that I just can't recall at the moment) influx of jukebox musicals, a decent show is a decent show. Although I listen to Sondheim musicals most of the time, occasionally I like something a bit more fluffy like La Cage Aux Folles, for instance. I'm hoping that All Shook Up will fall into that category-- not a brilliant, ground-breaking show necessarily, but a good time nevertheless. Besides, having read or heard most of the other shows Mr. Hadary has been involved with, I've come to the conclusion that he only gets involved in shows that are at least pretty good/interesting. Hopefully he won't let me down this time. :p
That's about it. I'm off to get a smoothie before History of RI. ~_~
Although both of those shows have done well, a lot of dedicated Bway aficionados are growing sour on the idea of more shows with unoriginal songbooks. Good Vibrations, a musical based around (you guessed it) songs from the Beach Boys, has been the most recent jukebox musical to open on the Great White Way. And the reviews have been dismal.
I fervently hope that this is just because the show itself is pure crap, which is what lots of people on the Broadway boards that saw it in previews have said. Hopefully it's not just being shot down because it IS one of these jukebox shows-- if that IS the case, then I fear for All Shook Up when it opens in March. :
The difference is that All Shook Up has received mostly positive and mixed reviews from theatregoers and critics who have seen it in CT or Chicago. Very few people have really torn it apart, unlike GV, which got mutilated from its first few showings.
Although I'm personally not thrilled with the recent (and up-coming. . .there's already a Lennon show coming later this year, and I'm sure more are in the works that I just can't recall at the moment) influx of jukebox musicals, a decent show is a decent show. Although I listen to Sondheim musicals most of the time, occasionally I like something a bit more fluffy like La Cage Aux Folles, for instance. I'm hoping that All Shook Up will fall into that category-- not a brilliant, ground-breaking show necessarily, but a good time nevertheless. Besides, having read or heard most of the other shows Mr. Hadary has been involved with, I've come to the conclusion that he only gets involved in shows that are at least pretty good/interesting. Hopefully he won't let me down this time. :p
That's about it. I'm off to get a smoothie before History of RI. ~_~
posted by Erica at 11:13 AM
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