CMU School of Drama


Friday, April 26, 2013

Could Rocky the Musical Box Its Way to Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre?

Playbill.com: Rocky the Musical, the new stage production based on the Academy Award-winning film, and featuring a score by Ragtime Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, may arrive on Broadway next season at the Winter Garden Theatre, according to the New York Times. The musical, which has a book by Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, Hairspray), premiered in Hamburg, Germany, last fall. "Rocky" creator/star Sylvester Stallone produces the German stage production along with Stage Entertainment, Vitali & Wladimir Klitschko.

3 comments:

Nathan Bertone said...

I feel like this show could be a very interesting production that draws in audiences that don't tend to see Broadway theatre. Simply because this should could broaden the audiences, I support the idea of it. I definitely feel like this production would be a weird show, and probably not that great if Sylvester Stallon has to sing, but hey - anything can happen, right?

On the other hand, I feel like turning this movie into a musical will be a flop. It just doesn't seem like a movie that would make a good musical. I think this is one of thos "no ideas are stupid - except for yours" moments and that this is happening strictly for commercial reasons. Who knows though...

I'm also surprised that MAMMA MIA is moving theaters after 12 years... Does that mean they may close soon? Hmm...

Unknown said...

I saw the preview on youtube, and I was not impressed at all. It was interesting. They were saying how they are incorporating music from the Philadelphia area (R&B / Soul), but the "Gonna Fly Now" doesn't really go in that genre. I think those will clash. Plus, I heard some clips from Rocky's solos, and it doesn't sound like the Rocky we all know from the films. He doesn't sound like he wants to win. I also saw some clips of the choreography, and I wasn't too impressed. There are a few ring fights that are all choreographed, but it seems very slow. I think this musical will be a flop. First of all, there have already been four films. Now, they're just looking for more money. These films have been way overdone, and they all end the same way pretty much. Don't get me wrong. I love the Italian Stallion. But this is a little too much. Besides, I don't think the people who watched the movies, would want to come to see it on Broadway.

Wesley Jones said...

I never would have guessed this story would go to Broadway, or better yet even be a musical. I can definitely predict this production being just as classic as the movie. I'd be very interested in seeing boxing on stage and how they will incorporate dance and singing.
Just another show that validates the 'anything goes' aspect of theater. Love it.