Sunday, September 06, 2009
Gone Fishin': 9 to 5 Closes Sept. 6, But Tour Is Planned
Playbill News: "The cast of 9 to 5, the Broadway musical based on the movie comedy about women in an oppressive office workplace, will pack its belongings in a box on Sunday night. The Dolly Parton-Patricia Resnick show closes Sept. 6 at the Marquis Theatre."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
While this show falls into that category of "Movie Musicals" I for one am sad to see it go. I was able to see it last may with the BLMC and was blown away by the show itself, as well as the technical execution of it. I for one believe that it's lack of success has to do with the music base and less of the fact that it was once a movie. I wish the tour the best of luck and hope that it comes to visit us in the 'burgh.
I admit, it's a good movie, but the show derailed completely from its original charm and once again Broadway thrusted feminism in your face to the point where you were looking for the actual story of the show you were seeing. I am not saying anything against the theme, but are we surprised that two Broadway shows based on movies and both revamp on Broadway with disgrustingly strong feminism themes failed closed this fall? All I am saying it sometime people come for the cheap laughs. Producers put on these film-broadway shows because they know the story sells so why change the formula that works?
I was recently in NY and I saw this show. The sad thing about this show leaving is that it is in a such good location, smack dab in the center of Times Square. As I walked by there was a tv showing scenes of the show on the sidewalk, and I must admit it didn't really make the show look too appealing. Its nice to hear that the show will have a tour, but I don't know what they expect after such a short run on Broadway.
Yet another movie musical... ugh.
On a more interesting note, how do the producers think they can sustain a national tour. The show did not do that well on Broadway. In these financial times, it is not the time to take a failing show on the road. This does not seam to be a responsible risk. It is just an opportunity to further destroy what musical theater is and prove that originality is no longer alive in musical theater nor is it necessary. 9 to 5 should pack its bags and go home.
Can't say I'm terribly sad to see it go. It was a good show -- I like Berger saw it in NY during the BLMC conference -- but nothing earth shattering. We got a backstage tour after the show and I was actually quite impressed with the way in which they were able to cram what looked like quite a large and elaborate set into such a small space. The Marquis appears massive from the house, however, is deceivingly small once on stage. I'm sure it will make a good tour -- it has a lot of family appeal. Did I find there to be anything artistically profound about it? Nope...
Responding to M. Cody's comment, the show as the article discusses was filled with fans of the movie, who giggled and laughed at their favorite lines. By traveling a show like this they will be able to reach those other movie fans who would love this show. I think it will have a very sucessful tour, and by starting it out in Nashville- country music's epicenter, it will start off a great first step to a long US tour.
Overall, I am weary of movies into musicals or any book/movie to stage adaptations. This is only because there is often a certan feeling or sense that is lost in the translation. But in reference to Bryce's comment, tere were many of fans of the movie, even actors who were extremely close to the characters, that laughed throughout the whole performance. While I have never seen the movie or production, I feel that this gives the performace credit.
Actually...this gives me an idea. Mad Men the Musical? It would have to be a tragedy, I suppose. But beautiful costumes, elaborate sets, and feminism in a work environment? Has anyone tried musicals based on television? How about soap operas? The commercial possibilities are endless.
In response to the other comments, I think any show one goes to see has to achieve a high level of technical prowess. It's what we expect from ourselves as artists and as an industry. Independent of whether or not a show is objectively good, the level of technical skill we have achieved is phenomenal. Let's keep up that standard of work.
This doesn't surprise me at all. The show is, like others have said, another movie musical, but this is one of an older generation. Being an 80s movie, it is not going to draw the younger audiences like other movie musicals, such as Shrek or any of the Disney musicals.
I guess having a tour is a good way to transition out of Broadway. Maybe more people will be going to see it as a tour. I like Berger, hope it makes it to Pittsburgh, for who doesn't love a movie musicals?
The most surprising part about this article for me was learning that this show was put together by a very talented group of people. While I do rather despise the recent trend of movie musicals for their lack of originality, I can honestly say that from a technical stand point many of these shows are rather fantastic. I also have a particular interest in this show due to the massive screen upstage that apparently displayed images and video. I would be interested to learn what the concept is and the justification for using video in this production. Too often projection is used as a wow factor rather than being thoughtfully and artistically integrated with the show. Peggy Eisenhauer did have a hand in it and seeing as she was trained here at CMU I'm really interested to her her views on this.
I saw 9:5 on Broadway, and honestly - it's one of the shows i've had most fun at. I honestly think one of the contributing factors to touring the show is the fact that the set might as well have been made out of solid gold - it was so expensive. I would bet that this tour is planned in hopes to try and recoup that initial investment by the producers. Who knows, maybe it'll find a home at Dollywood after the tour...
I can understand the thinking behind movie musicals having a lack of originality, but I would have to disagree. I did not catch 9 to 5, but I think movie musicals are an integral part of our generation, as well as the evolution of theatre as a whole. I think of them not so much as ripping off the movies, but paying homage to those great classics by displaying the core themes and characters in a new light. When you have a good story, adaptations are inevitable. Sometimes they are good, sometimes not so much, but everyone tries/wants to do them justice, and some deserve to be remade in an equally good, if not better light. I am usually pleasantly surprised. I am sorry, but I loved Legally Blonde the musical. I know, I know...but c'mon. As unrealistic as it was, you have to admit, it was an entertaining show, and completely delivered. Going back to the article, however, I'm angry they did not include more information as to why the show closed, because I was under the impression it was doing well. Unless it was just as simple as the show not raking in audiences, there was no specific reason mentioned.
Josh -
9:5 is read as: 9 'is to' 5
just type 9 to 5. Did you really save that much time?
Post a Comment