What the Bloody Hell is Clinton the Musical?

The news that Clinton the Musical is definitely set to run off-Broadway has prompted me to ask this week on the Simon Morris blog; what the bloody hell is Clinton the Musical?

Clinton the Musical Set for Off-Broadway Premiere.

Imagine this. A slightly tired Simon Morris is on his laptop. He’s surfing around until he sees ‘Clinton the Musical Set for Off-Broadway Premiere’ on Google. What would he do? Of course he clicked it.

This actually happened. I clicked through and discovered an article which revealed that Clinton the Musical is set to open at the New World Stages (off-Broadway) on 9^th April. At this point I found myself asking one question. What the bloody hell is Clinton the Musical?

Plot Synopsis: Clinton the Musical

A million thoughts ran through my head. Is it a musical about Bill or Hillary? Is it about Monica Lewinsky or Hillary’s failed bid for President in 2008? Is it even about the Clintons at all? It would be accurate to say I was definitely intrigued.

It turns out one of my ideas was sort of right. Monica Lewinsky is involved. Kind of. Clinton the Musical tells the story of the two sides of Bill Clinton’s personality. The wholesome, intelligent one and the randy, charming one. The musical uses these separate characterisations of Bill Clinton to analyse his time in the White House.

Who is Bill Clinton?

Once I discovered the plot, I actually found myself drawn in by the idea of a musical about Bill Clinton. That’s because most of the time he did seem like two different people.

Bill Clinton was one of the most popular presidents in modern US history. He’s still popular even though he left the White House over a decade ago. Yet there was this other side to him that we only really saw with Monica Lewinsky and this other side has made people wonder whether they knew Clinton as well as they thought they did.

What is Clinton the Musical?

So what is Clinton the Musical? That has yet to be determined as the production hasn’t opened yet, but here’s what I think it is. A fascinating exploration of a fascinating man that has the potential to kick start a new musical theatre phenomenon.

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2014 Hailed as Broadway’s Most Lucrative Year Ever

Following the recent announcement that Broadway saw its most lucrative year ever in 2014, this week on the Simon Morris blog I wonder; what does this say about the Great White Way?

The Centre of the Musical Theatre World

From the time he first gained the ability to say the word ‘Broadway’ out loud, a young Simon Morris dreamed of going to see a production in the most famous theatre district the world has ever seen.

Broadway is the centre of the musical theatre world. Think of a major musical theatre production. It’ll have played on Broadway at some point. Indeed, many of the shows that you love the most i.e. Wicked were first brought to the attention of the world because they were brought to the Broadway stage.

Broadway Rakes in $1.362 Billion in 2014

Now it appears as though more people than ever feel the way I did as a young boy, as according to the Guardian 2014 was the highest grossing year in Broadway history. Broadway League data suggests that productions raked in box office takings of $1.362 billion in 2014, a rise of 14% from the year before.

Meanwhile, 13.3 million people attended shows on the Great White Way last year, an increase of 13% from 2013. Extra data goes on to show that Broadway racked up its most lucrative seven days ever in the week of New Year. NYC’s most noted theatre district amassed $42.8 million that week alone with 37 shows running at 94% of theatres’ total capacity. In other words, 346,913 people made the effort to attend a show on Broadway over this seven day period.

Audiences Seem More Enthusiastic About Long-Running Favourites

The executive director or Broadway League, Charlotte St Martin, commented on the release of the figures. She noted that the box office takings increase “demonstrates that our producers are giving audiences a variety of plays and musicals to please many tastes… In addition to long-running favourites, audiences are enthusiastic about the new shows too.”

Yet audiences seemed far more enthusiastic about the long-running favourites than any of the newer shows that have recently graced the Broadway stage. That same week saw perennial favourite Wicked recorded the highest grossing eight-performance week in Broadway history, raking in $2,740,642. Meanwhile The Lion King reaped $2,514,994 and The Book of Mormon earned $2,224,280.

The Ultimate Tourist Attraction

In other words, Broadway’s record breaking performance throughout the course of 2014 was supported by its fan favourites. This suggests that the Great White Way is transforming into a tourist attraction more known for its classic productions, than for its ability to light up the world of musical theatre by introducing new ground-breaking shows to a mass audience.

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Beloved Movie Musical Destined for Broadway

This week, Simon Morris learned that beloved movie musical Gigi is destined for Broadway, with High School Musical alum Vanessa Hudgens slated to star in the title role.

Simon Morris Should Have Lived in Another Decade

When I was a child, I was one of those precocious kids who would have sworn down, had someone asked him, that I belonged in another era. Specifically, the era when the classic Hollywood movie musical reigned supreme.

Many a clock hand turned from 12 to 12, whilst a young Simon Morris whiled away the hours entranced by the sounds of classic Hollywood show tunes filtering through the room. Among my many favourites was the iconic MGM movie musical Gigi.

The Story of a Young Courtesan in Turn-of-the-Century Paris

Adapted from a novella written in 1944 and a stage musical from 1951, Gigi was a 1958 film directed by the legendary Vincente Minnelli. It chronicles the story of Gigi, a young girl raised by two courtesans in turn-of-the-century Paris to take on the role of lover to a wealthy patron, Gaston. Their plans go awry when Gaston falls for the young Gigi and plans to marry her.

The film was a cinematic triumph, bagging nine academy awards along with the hearts and minds of a generation. Now it’ll have the chance to do the same with a new generation, as a fresh stage version of the musical has entered production, ready to open on Broadway in early 2015.

She Came When Vanessa Hudgens Least Expected It

Actress Vanessa Hudgens is slated to star in the title role. She’s no stranger to the genre, having rose to fame as part of the High School Musical franchise, and starred as Mimi in a production of RENT at the Hollywood Bowl.

She recently spoke about landing the role – her first on Broadway – to People Magazine. Hudgens suggested that "I've been waiting for the right role to come along, and she appeared to me when I was least expecting it," before adding that "it's been a lot of fun prepping for Gigi … allowing myself to be as free as possible. I love this character, the music and play so much." 

Bringing Gigi to a Whole New Audience

Hopefully, that love will translate into a stellar performance when a revamped Gigi makes its first appearance on the Great White Way next year. Such a performance would show a whole new generation of musical theatre lovers why so many people fell in love with the story of a young Parisian mistress way back in 1958.

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Is Frozen Coming to Broadway?

This week on the Simon Morrisblog, I discuss the question on every movie musical enthusiasts lips right now; is Frozen coming to Broadway?

Frozen, Disney’s Biggest Smash Hit in Years

For any of you who haven’t seen Frozen, where have you been? It’s only the biggest movie musical animation smash since The Lion King. It’s grossed millions at box offices around the world, and inspired a cult following usually only gathered by the Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises.

Frozen is a Disney animated movie musical that reimagines the story of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Snow Queen. With names such as Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff lending their voices to the film, as well as one of the most infectious musical numbers in recent years (‘Let it Go’), it was always destined to become a colossal hit.

Disney’s Stellar Track Record on the Broadway Stage

So of course, ever since it was released, fans have been wondering when it would come to Broadway. This is a prudent question, considering the fact that Disney have transformed a number of their most famous movie musicals into bona fide stage hits.

Movies including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King have all been reinterpreted for the Broadway stage. The Lion King in particular has become a fan favourite, burrowing its way into the hearts and minds of theatre goers around the world.

Disney Director Speaks Out on Frozen Stage Adaptation

Now it looks like Frozen is set to do the same. In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Thomas Schumacher, Disney Theatrical executive, announced he is currently putting the wheels in motion to make sure a stage adaptation of Frozen happens.

Schumacher confided that “I’m already talking to directors, and I have a design concept, and we have to begin to fashion this idea,” before emphasising, “it doesn’t need to be fast. It needs to be great.” He went on to say that “there’s something purely theatrical about the relationship between these two women [Elsa and Anna],” adding “you can see it.”

Counting Down the Days

You certainly can, and I have no doubt that he’ll put on a stage version of Frozen that will do its silver screen predecessor proud. So yes, a Broadway version of Frozen looks like it’s really going to happen. Now, I’m counting down the days until it hits the boards!

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TONY Award Winning Musical to Close on Broadway

This week I want to take the time here on the Simon Morris blog to persuade you to see TONY award winning musical Once while you can, as it is due to close on Broadway.

The Story of a Dublin Street Busker Down on His Luck

Once is a stage adaptation of the movie musical of the same name, which was critically acclaimed and even won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007.

Once tells the story of a Dublin street busker who’s down on his luck, and about to give up his dream. That is until he meets a beautiful young woman, who is suddenly enchanted by his haunting love songs. Yet as they fall in love, his music soars to new heights until he discovers she has a husband.

“An Unforgettable Story about Going for Your Dreams.”

Billed as “an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all,” in the press notes, Once opened to great critical acclaim on Broadway in 2012.

That acclaim carried it to victory at the 2012 TONYs, becoming the most awarded show of the New York theatre season, and even clinching the coveted Best Musical award. Furthermore, it secured the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Theatre album, and has gone on to spawn productions around the world, including in the West End.

Once to Close on Broadway in 2015

Which is why many musical theatre fans (including Once fan Simon Morris), were disappointed to learn that Once is closing on Broadway. According to Playbill, producers announced last week (Wednesday 7^th October) that Once will play its last show on 4^thJanuary 2015.

By the time the theatre doors well and truly close on Once, it will have played a staggering 1,167 regular performances on Broadway, as well as 22 preview performances. Despite the show closing on Broadway, however, it will still be playing at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End.

See Once While You Can

So considering how critically applauded the musical is, I think I have stated my case for why you should take the chance to see it on Broadway if you can before it closes. If not, then I’d highly suggest you go to see it in the West End.

Simon Morris

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Fiddler on the Roof: A Revival

With the news hitting Broadway blogs and columns last week that seminal classic ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is to be revived on Broadway next year, I thought I’d take a look at the musical theatre classic. Why has it endured?

For anybody who doesn’t know, Fiddler on the Roof is a classic musical which first appeared on a Broadway stage in 1964. The production was such a hit that not only did it enchant audiences everywhere; it was nominated for ten TONY awards, was turned into a hit movie musical and has sparked numerous revivals.

The musical itself is based on ‘Teyve and His Daughters and Other Tales’ by Sholem Aleichem. Set in Tsarist Russia in 1905, a period of terminal decline for the regime, the musical tells the story of a Jewish family; a father and his daughters. The production chronicles the family’s attempts to honour their Jewish heritage as outside influences alter the way they live their lives.

The production itself is an intelligent exploration of what Jewish people faced at the time under the repression of Tsar Nicholas II. It produced musical numbers that have become standards of the genre, most notably ‘If I Was A Rich Man’ and it became so popular it was the first musical to reach the 3,000 performances mark. No wonder they want to revive it in 2015.

So, apart from the aforementioned reasons, why has it remained enduringly popular? Part of the credit for this sustained success has to go to the movie version of the musical. Released in1971, it was so good that one of its stars, Leonard Frey, received an OSCAR for best supporting actor.

However most of the credit has to go to the stage production itself. Fiddler is an immense musical that will make you weep and laugh in equal measure, and when done right, it can really capture the imagination. It also takes a grand theme such as the repression of the Jewish community in Tsarist Russia and frames it through the lives of ordinary people. This is, I believe, its ultimate key to success.

Audiences don’t tend to react well to grand themes that are beyond their ability to relate to. By framing the narrative through this village bound Jewish family, audiences can see how such prejudices play out in normal life. They sympathise with the characters and grow to support them in their struggles. It’s a similar way of framing a story to how the AIDS struggle was framed through the Alphabet City community of New York in ‘Rent.’

Fiddler on the Roof is a classic that has endured because despite the time it is set in, it tells a story that everybody can relate to. I have no doubt, Simon Morris readers that the 2015 revival will be just a big a hit with audiences as the 1964 original production was.

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Why is Defying Gravity the Ultimate Modern Broadway Show Tune?

Considering my love of modern classic musical ‘Wicked,’ it should be no surprise that I believe that the production’s signature song, ‘Defying Gravity,’ is the ultimate modern Broadway show tune. Let me present my case.

I realise, Simon Morris readers, that this is a hotly contested topic and that many would contest the argument. The last 50 years has seen numerous shows produce iconic numbers and classics such as ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,’ ‘Memory,’ ‘Electricity,’ ‘I’ll Cover You’ and a thousand more are serious contenders for this title.

However I would contend that ‘Defying Gravity’ beats them all, and not for the reason you think. I would argue that it is the ultimate modern Broadway show tune because of the impact it has had on audiences and performers.

Of course Defying Gravity is a technically brilliant song and it bears all the hallmarks of a classic. It is a defiance anthem that comes at the end of the first half of the musical. The lead character, Elphaba, has just realised that every single dream she had was based on a lie and the song is basically her ‘screw you’ moment as she literally and figuratively defies gravity.

In a theatre it’s a real treat to watch. The number itself is full of fierce lyrics that resonate because we’ve all had that moment in our lives where we take that first brave step in going against what society expects of us. It has amazingly big belts and the production is immense as Elphaba rises up on a podium and looks like she is actually defying gravity.

However other modern Broadway anthems hold similar characteristics. ‘Electricity’ is every bit as defiant. ‘Memory’ is every bit as vocally stunning, if more melancholy. ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ is just as emotionally honest. ‘I’ll Cover You’ is equally as inspiring. However I would argue that none of the aforementioned tracks combine these elements in quite the same way that ‘Defying Gravity’ does.

This shows in the legacy the song has left. It’s a standard these days, not just of the musical theatre industry but of the entertainment industry as a whole. Everybody from Broadway starlets to TV alums to Pop divas has tried their hand at the song and that is because it is probably one of, if not the, most relatable number ever produced on a Broadway stage.

In conclusion, I believe I have presented a strong case to suggest that ‘Defying Gravity’ is the modern ultimate Broadway show tune. This is not because of each of its individually great elements but because the combination of those elements has captured an entire generation of performers. 

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Ethel Merman: The Original Broadway Baby

Few people have had the impact on musical theatre that Broadway icon Ethel Merman has. This is why, Simon Morris readers, I make the case for Merman as the original Broadway baby.

Merman is a giant of the industry; ask anybody performing today if she was one of their biggest inspirations and almost 100% will be quick to assure that ‘of course she was.’  Musical theatre greats from Barbara Streisand to Patti Lu Pone and Bernadette Peters have credited Merman as an influence; even 90’s rock band Green Day did.

So what made her such a legend? Touted universally as the premier Broadway star of the day, Merman is best remembered for her belting voice, precise enunciation, unique personality and the longevity of her illustrious career.

Originally from humble beginnings, Merman, born in 1908 in Queens, New York, came to symbolise a generation of musical theatre performers over a career that spanned decades. Primarily she is known for the iconic 13 roles she originated on Broadway between1930 and 1959.

When making the case for Merman as the original Broadway baby we have to look at the show tunes she was most associated with. These most notably include ‘You’re the Top,’ ‘I Get a Kick Out of You,’ ‘Roses Turn,’ ‘Anything Goes’ and the tune that became her signature song ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business.’

These are big brassy numbers that represent the height of Broadway’s heyday. They take a big personality to bring them to life and reviewers both past and present have universally agreed that she managed to do so in spades. She did such a good job that they’re still overwhelmingly popular with audiences and artists alike in the modern day.

We also have to look at the actual shows that she was in, many of them original productions that are still performed on Broadway today. These include iconic productions such as ‘Girl Crazy,’ ‘Anything Goes,’ ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and ‘Hello Dolly,’ each masterpieces in their own right.

However for me her most enduring contribution to musical theatre has to be her creation of the main character Rose in Sondheim smash ‘Gypsy.’ An opportunity that came toward the latter end of her own personal golden era, it perhaps her most acclaimed role and that has been emulated by greats such as Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone.

The measure of an icon is the influence she had on her successors and the legacy she left behind. In Merman’s case both were profound and that is why in my opinion she is clearly the original Broadway baby.  

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Why Celebrities Shouldn’t Take on Broadway

One of my pet peeves is when a classic musical production decides to do a little stunt casting and ropes in a celebrity. It infuriates me. This is why this week, Simon Morris readers, I want to take the time to rail against celebrity stunt casting.

Don’t get me wrong, it really can work and when it does it’s amazing. Hugh Jackman, for example has taken to the stage numerous times and it works; he’s a genius when it comes to musical theatre. Same with Neil Patrick Harris; he’s born for the stage. Even Nicole Sherzinger’s two day turn as Maureen in Rent is one I liked.

But that’s because these people were trained in musical theatre. They spent years learning their craft and it’s often where they started out their careers. This means that even though they are now famous for other areas of their career, they have the talent and charisma to take on these iconic roles and make them their own.

However there are so many instances of celebrity casting where the celebrity in question does not have the acting ability or the vocal chops to take on the role in question. It’s clear that they’ve been casted purely to draw people in and I believe that this damages the integrity of the production.

Take Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame as an example. Even in that she was terrible and then she was assigned the role of Mimi in the two day production of Rent at the Hollywood Bowl in LA. Complete disaster. She should be ashamed of herself for the performance she gave.

Then there are the timing issues. These celebrities don’t have a lot of time in their calendar. Most musical theatre stars spend months, if not a year or two in the role. This is good because it allows them to settle into the role and make it their own.

However celebrities are known for only staying in these roles a short time. Take Martine McCutcheon, who won the role of Eliza Doolittle. Her performance rate was 48%, it was pathetic. Despite rave reviews it’s clear she couldn’t commit to the role and this left many patrons disappointed.

There are some celebrities who can take on a musical theatre role and make it their own. However there are some that really can’t. These people should never again darken the stages of some of our most beloved productions. 

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