They’re doing WHAT show for the Holidays?
December is a very popular month for theatre-goers. Broadway has one of its highest yearly attendance rates during the Holiday season. In Chicago, many theatres produce Holiday Shows. ELF, WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE NUTCRACKER, and CHRISTMAS STORY are just a few of the offerings out there. However, on balance there are really NOT a lot of shows that are appropriate for this joyous season.
As I was thinking of this, I thought hmmmmmm. Why not do a musical that is NOT a traditional Holiday offering but would work nonetheless. Here are my ideas:
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS – is a great family musical based on the film with Judy Garland. Some of the hit numbers in the show include “The Trolley Song” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. The stage show does not work as well as the movie, but it is fun in any event.
FINIAN’S RAINBOW – This is a fun show with a huge cast and some great numbers. Although I have seen it done on a very small scale, I find it most fun with a large cast. “Old Devil Moon” and “Look to the Rainbow” are some of the fun songs that make the audience go out tapping their toes. And…there is even a leprechaun in the show for some added fun.
STATE FAIR – Once again, this was a movie first, then, years later was made into a Broadway show. It is so much fun, and it has a glorious score by Rogers and Hammerstein. It was actually made into a musical TWO times. The last version in 1992 had a book by Tom Briggs (Shout out Tom!!) and was David Merrick’s (legendary Broadway producer) last show.
PETER PAN – Everyone loves Peter Pan. I have seen shows where Peter does not even fly – and the audience loved it. But, it is the flying that makes PETER PAN so special. I can almost hear the voices from the audience when Peter flies into the children’s bedroom the first time. Ahhhhhhhhh.
Other thoughts? Love to hear them.
Larry Little
Producer