<p>This is one of those be-careful-what-you-wish-for stories. Two talented kids write a show that has some success in various venues, including one in the D.C. area with a well-respected director. It gets a rave review from a D.C. theatre critic and quickly becomes a surprise hit. A few producers decide to bring it to Broadway, despite huge skepticism from many. The critics hate it, and the show puts up a closing notice on opening night. How heartbreaking for everyone concerned, opening night is also closing night for Glory Days.</p>
<p>I already knew about this but will comment. My D also attended the invited dress rehearsal on Broadway. Her classmate, fellow a cappella group member, and good friend was cast as the swing in this show and of course it is disappointing that it closed as soon as it officially opened. But it is not that shocking. Many felt that this show did not yet belong on Broadway and was rushed there too soon and it was more appropriate for Off Broadway or something like the Fringe Festival or the NYMTF. My D recalls seeing Nick working on this at UMich back when she visited in 2004 and he was a student there. I very much admire these two very young guys to have developed and written a musical at their age and to have it be successful in regional theater. But it just was not ready for Broadway or of that level and it is really a shame that it was pushed to that stage so soon in its development. Of course, you can't blame these young guys because if they were encouraged and supported to take it to Broadway, it is very enticing. But it wasn't in their best interests because they are promising young talents and it was a set up for failure when they could be successful at another level for now with this musical. My D saw it and her reaction was not positive in terms of it being of Broadway level and appealing to audiences. It was more on a level of shows that young writers develop and put on at other levels of production. My D was gratified (as was I) that Ben Brantley's review was kind and recognized that these young men have a promising future and the fact that their show was closed right away is not a commentary on their talent and their future. It just was not ready for Broadway. I hope Nick and James are not discouraged because it wasn't their fault that this was rushed to Broadway, and yet, they really have promise and talent.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Broadway is not immune to the machine that drives television and movies and even theme parks. Whenever there is a new success (re: SPRING AWAKENING, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, any reality show) everyone rushes to jump on the bandwagon in hopes of cashing in on the trend. This is most likely the case with GLORY DAYS. The machine is indeed very enticing and it is unfortunate that these kids got caught up in it - however, not surprising. I am sure that they will bounce back from this - and, hopefully, are now a bit wiser.</p>
<p>Children of Eden was my favorite production of the 4 yrs at my daughter's high school. When I researched it I found out it never made it and now is only done in local shows. Anyone have insight into why this play never made it?</p>
<p>I've never seen it but I do know that it recently made the worst musicals of all time list. I believe it is one of those shows where the score is solid but the book has never been figured out (much like THE BAKER'S WIFE, DEAR WORLD, etc.)</p>
<p>Here is the link for the list - UK paper. I've seen a great deal of discussion on the list on many different forums.</p>
<p>Somehow I don't think the Bounce story would make them feel much better. The difference is that Stephen Sondheim was about 70, and with decades of a successful career behind him, when the decision not to transfer Bounce to NYC was originally made, and, as DD pointed out, it will likely be at the Public Theatre this fall.</p>
<p>I feel for these kids, and I hope that one day they'll look back at this after achieving some success, and be able to laugh about it.</p>
<p>There's just no accounting for taste, I guess. I agree with Disney that it sounds as if the "machine" gobbled it up to grab some of the Spring Awakening reflected glory.</p>
<p>I saw CryBaby recently, and it's simply awful. Can't believe it made it to Broadway. Yet a recent show that I realy enjoyed, Pirate Queen, had a very short run.</p>
<p>MOAP - regarding Children of Eden, the article about the 10 worst flops was talking London shows; the comments about the score being stronger than the book may have some validity. However, as to why it never made it to Broadway, I believe it was a monetary thing -- the original cast was large, and it had a large orchestra. I seem to recall that there was some discussion about taking it to Broadway if they cut both cast and pit size, and the decision was made not to do so.</p>
<p>That's funny that you mention liking the Pirate Queen. When my D and her grandmother were in NYC last year for spring break this is one of the many shows they saw and they both liked it. I like the music from Pirate Queen and listen to it all the time on my walks. </p>
<p>CryBaby is one we saw last year at La Jolla Playhouse before it went to Broadway. We thought it was ok, but that it would need a lot of work before opening on Broadway. It doesn't sound like much changed from when we saw it and the reviews were not very good. We were surprised yesterday to see it nominated for a Tony. Although my daughter was excited as she is part of the student board at the La Jolla Playhouse and knows this will be good press for the Playhouse!</p>
<p>Speaking of Tonys, this season has been a very weak one for musicals. The fact that Passing Strange and Cry-Baby were even nominated, let alone Xanadu (which is fun but hardly 'best musical' quality), is pretty amazing. In the Heights is a good, but not great, show and it has 13 nominations!</p>
<p>Conversely, it was an excellent season for plays, probably the best in over ten years, for both new and revivals. So many wonderful candidates and simply not enough room to go around, unlike the category for musicals where they were near to a virtual scrape of the barrel. The fact that Kevin Kline didn't receive a nomination for his amazing performance in Cyrano is a crime. The best revival of a musical category is also, save for Grease, full of very good productions.</p>
<p>NMR --Oh God, a best musical Tony nomination for CryBaby? That's laughable. D just told me it got nominated for choreography, which would be well deserved.</p>
<p>One other reason that Children of Eden did not do well was that when it opened in London in the winter of 1991 (its first production), the 1st Gulf War had just begun and tourism was way down. This doesn't really explain why it didn't transfer to BWay later - I think the large cast size may be a factor. But it has made a fortune being licensed by amateur and small professional theatres - and this is something Glory Days may do also do (not necessarily make a fortune, but license).</p>
<p>At the mention of Children of Eden, I could not help but think of one of my all time favorite songs that is so appropriate for all of you who are celebrating graduation with your seniors - "The Hardest Part of Love." It's a beautiful duet between God and Noah (of Ark fame). My S sang it at his high school graduation and it was just sung at my D's wedding in January by her theater director and her classmate who played God in her senior year production. I bawl every time I hear it!</p>
<p>I saw Cry- Baby twice at La Jolla Playhouse before it went to Broadway- we thought it was cute, but that it needed some work.
Alli Mauzey was the real standout though (She played Lenora)</p>
<p>I also saw A Catered Affair at the Old Globe twice and thought that in terms of acting and performance, it was a much better show, so I'm surprised that it didn't pick up too many nominations.</p>
<p>but I love In The Heights, so I'm really happy about that nomination, but, forgive me if I'm wrong, but it seems Broadway has come off from the high point of last year...</p>
<p>monologue - We thought Alli Mauzey was also the standout in CryBaby. We thought the were both terrific, but did not connect in the musical.</p>
<p>I also agree that Catered Affair was a better show, but we wondered if it would play well on Broadway when we saw it at the Globe.</p>
<p>When we are in NYC next month we are still trying to decide which shows to see and In the Heights is one I would like to go to. My D and I also want to see South Pacific and Gypsy. My younger D wants to see Mermaid and fortunately my husband is easy going and will see whatever the girls decide on!</p>