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Musical Misfires: Three Decades of Broadway Musical Heartbreak
Musical Three Decades of Broadway Musical Heartbreak looks at 151 musicals that did not run long enough to be considered hits. Such shows were once called flops but that is no longer an appropriate description. Some of these were superb pieces of musical theatre that, for one reason or another, couldn't find an audience, did not please the critics, couldn't pay the high weekly bills, or just were not right for the time and place in which they opened. Oft-overlooked gems like The Scottsboro Boys, Grey Gardens, Sweet Smell of Success, Xanadu, If/Then, Caroline, or Change, Bright Star, Steel Pier, The Last Ship, and Tuck Everlasting are explored alongside such famous musicals as American Idiot, Victor/Victoria, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sister Act, All Shook Up, Be More Chill, Shrek the Musical, Seussical, and Young Frankenstein that never reached hit status on Broadway. Juke box musicals, cutting-edge musicals, movie adaptations, teenage musicals, biographical musicals, history musicals, and even horror musicals are among the many genres included in this captivating journey of Broadway shows from 1989 to 2020 in search of success. Illustrated with forty-two photographs (most in color) and filled with backstage stories, reviews from the press, and commentary on why the musicals were not hits, Musical Misfires is indispensable reading for anyone who loves musical theatre, both its triumphs and it heartbreaks.
527 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 18, 2020
This was a fascinating read, and I very much enjoyed learning more about these 'Misfits'. The writing is well-balanced without being dry, and the shows are presented in a way that makes you root for them, even knowing they didn't enjoy commercial success. I especially enjoyed the first chapter, dedicated solely to the mother of all misfits 'Nick and Nora', and the last one that was added in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic look at the pitfalls of bringing a musical to Broadway, and is a MUST read for any Musical Theatre fan.
Overall, I think this is a fantastic look at the pitfalls of bringing a musical to Broadway, and is a MUST read for any Musical Theatre fan.
December 30, 2025
A terrific look at Broadway musicals that have failed to make money over the last 30 years.
The authors make it clear that the term ‘flop’ has become outmoded in recent decades as shows have become so expensive to produce and run. The book looks at financial failures such as ‘Passion’ which are viewed as major works now.
We also learn how a musical such as ‘Sunset Boulevard’ could have made money if it wasn’t so overproduced and if two fired stars had not successfully sued for big settlements after they were terminated.
The affection for Broadway is present on every page. Many good shows that have not found favor in their first Broadway outings are now very popular college and regional theater attractions (‘Parade’ and ‘The Bridges of Madison County’ are cited as two examples of this phenomenon.)
The authors bring us up to the present crisis situation caused by COVID, and wonder if some of the musicals that were running on March 12 might never reopen.
This is a must read for fans of Broadway musicals.
The authors make it clear that the term ‘flop’ has become outmoded in recent decades as shows have become so expensive to produce and run. The book looks at financial failures such as ‘Passion’ which are viewed as major works now.
We also learn how a musical such as ‘Sunset Boulevard’ could have made money if it wasn’t so overproduced and if two fired stars had not successfully sued for big settlements after they were terminated.
The affection for Broadway is present on every page. Many good shows that have not found favor in their first Broadway outings are now very popular college and regional theater attractions (‘Parade’ and ‘The Bridges of Madison County’ are cited as two examples of this phenomenon.)
The authors bring us up to the present crisis situation caused by COVID, and wonder if some of the musicals that were running on March 12 might never reopen.
This is a must read for fans of Broadway musicals.
November 10, 2020
A Must Have for Musical Theatre Fanatics!
This book was created for the musical theatre audience members who always cheers for the underdog. The shows that most appeal to me, are the lesser known, but in my opinion alone, more interesting musical. Mr. Robinson, whom I’ve enjoyed over the years reading his columns in Playbill.com and BroadwayDirect, to name a few, does an INCREDIBLE job of research and takes care into sharing shows with the reader insight into the productions and valid reviews.
He breaks the chapters up in interesting categories and makes it easier to read.
The best thing I can praise Mr. Robinson with is he is my Go To Broadway historian when I want to get my fact straight, even with some sardonic humor thrown in, just as I consider Dr. Eric Cervini my Go To LBBTQ historian. With over 600 pages, you are getting your money’s worth, and you may find some interesting treasures among the musicals you find here worth learning more about!
This book was created for the musical theatre audience members who always cheers for the underdog. The shows that most appeal to me, are the lesser known, but in my opinion alone, more interesting musical. Mr. Robinson, whom I’ve enjoyed over the years reading his columns in Playbill.com and BroadwayDirect, to name a few, does an INCREDIBLE job of research and takes care into sharing shows with the reader insight into the productions and valid reviews.
He breaks the chapters up in interesting categories and makes it easier to read.
The best thing I can praise Mr. Robinson with is he is my Go To Broadway historian when I want to get my fact straight, even with some sardonic humor thrown in, just as I consider Dr. Eric Cervini my Go To LBBTQ historian. With over 600 pages, you are getting your money’s worth, and you may find some interesting treasures among the musicals you find here worth learning more about!
June 25, 2021
A gay look at a gay institution
Good job, but to call Coronavirus an act of Mother Nature is nothing short of dumb. These suckers hate Trump and it shows on every page.
Good job, but to call Coronavirus an act of Mother Nature is nothing short of dumb. These suckers hate Trump and it shows on every page.
January 24, 2023
Good, informative but a little dry.
July 30, 2023
This is a great comprehensive review of shows that didn't quite land, and more importantly, analysis of why they didn't find their audience. A must-read for any theater aficionado.
February 26, 2021
I love this kind of book. There was a similar one written 30 years ago, Not Since Carrie, which I have read and reread . This one is just as addictive!This one looks at musicals from 1990 to 2020, that were not a success for a number of reasons.It is well researched and well written!I will definitely keep this one handy to reread and recheck!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews