Shows That Need A West End Debut, As Voted For By You!
Posted on 20 December 2014
After my post about shows that I wanted to see cross the pond for the first time went live the other week, all of you readers really did get back to me when I asked if I’d missed any shows out... “Who cares about Violet?!” you said, as your screamed “DREAMGIRLS!” in the comments; “No one likes The Little Mermaid!” I heard, as you tweeted me about Hedwig; and don’t get me started on how dedicated you Fansies are! So, as a way of repaying you for all of the suggestions that you made, here are the top ten Broadway shows that need to make their first ever hop across the pond, as voted for by you!
10 – Bare: The Pop Opera
Other than the name and a song or two from this show, I know absolutely nothing about it, so when you guys voted for it I was pleasantly intrigued. ‘Bare’ ran for a limited season off-Broadway in 2004 and seems to be along the same lines as Next To Normal/Rent/Spring Awakening in an audience sense: the story follows the lives of two gay high schoolers who struggle with life at a Catholic boarding school.
9 – If/Then
I was in no way surprised when I had some of you guys demanding a transfer of this original beauty! Currently playing on Broadway starring Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp no less, the show has had incredible word-of-mouth reviews regarding the fantastic score and leading lady. Who do you have in mind for our UK Elizabeth? “Joanna Riding” says @Annas_Mind on Twitter!
8 – Bonnie and Clyde
One of the most popular modern Broadway flops, this show based on the classic tale starred Cinderella’s Laura Osnes and Smash’s Jeremy Jordan before shuttering after only four weeks into its run. Now with an incredible cult following (thanks to the even more incredible OBCR), do you think London could make this show a hit?
7 – The Addams Family
This show totally slipped my mind when I made my post originally, and heaven only knows why it did! With a fantastic original score set to the classic story of The Addams Family, I think that this show would be a massive success if it were to make its London debut ASAP, and you all seem to think so too!
6 – Dreamgirls
After the success of the hit movie starring Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose, Dreamgirls became a much-loved musical by all, so why on Earth has London not experienced its incredible music and glamour? It ran on Broadway almost 35 years ago now, so why are us Brits being kept in the dark!?
5 – Catch Me If You Can
Another short lived show that you all really wanted to see cross the pond is the 2011 hit Catch Me If You Can. Based off the hit movie with a new score supplied by Hairspray’s Mark Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the show ran in 2011. Now that Aaron Tveit is over here in Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory, do you think we could get him to lead a London production of this, too?
4 – Next to Normal
A show that I really wasn’t surprised to hear you all cry for was Next to Normal: another Aaron Tveit show. After running on Broadway a few years back and falling into the same kind of teenage-fanbase category as shows like Spring Awakening and Rent, I don’t think London producers would be doing themselves any kind of mistake by mounting this show any time soon. Perhaps a show for an off-West End theatre to tackle?...
3 – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
I’m really not surprised this show got up there either, and shame on me for not thinking of it for my list! The recent revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway that has starred sensations like Neil Patrick-Harris, Andrew Rannells and Michael C. Hall is screaming for a London transfer – any ideas for our London Hedwig?
2 – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
I left this show off of my list intentionally because I seem to be hearing some very strong rumours that this show is set to make its way into London in the coming year, but nonetheless, you all wanted it to be represented on this list (and a lot of you to say the least!) This show needs to make its way over here soon – surely that Tony for Best Musical could make it hurry up a little!?
1 – Newsies
And of course, your most voted for show to make its London debut is Disney’s Newsies: a show that, to me, seems to have one of the biggest cult followings in musical theatre history. You “Fansies” want this show to come over so badly, so c’mon Disney, answer the young people’s prayers and get yourselves over here... NOW!
By Shaun Nolan
@Shaunycat
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