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Home , Charlie Rosen (musician), Heidi Blickenstaff, Hugh Wheeler, Leslie Kritzer, Previews (Smash), Sebastian Arcelus

Forgotten musicals! One of the best things about the theatre scene is that worthy shows that may not have succeeded the first time around for one reason or another are often brought back! Second chances are a big part of theatre. When was the last time a "flop" movie or TV show was remade 20 years later with a new concept or edited script? (And as long as we're getting started here, let me make it known that I don't like to use the word "flop". I prefer "underappreciated musical. It's more P.C.)

Of course, when a theatre fan hears "forgotten musical", they may think of shows like Merrily We Roll Along or Mack and Mabel... Subways Are For Sleeping or Smile... For this column, we're going to go way more "forgotten" than that! Here are 10 buried treasures of . Shows that either were never licensed or never got cast recordings. Shows that were or at least announced for Broadway, but that never quite took off. Here are 10 fascinating musicals that you really may have forgotten... which deserve a second look!

1. Henry, Sweet Henry

Video: https://youtu.be/6lyv67Peo4w Who Wrote The Show? Book by Nunnally Johnson, Music and Lyrics by Bob Merrill, Based on the novel by Nora Johnson What's It About? Valerie and Marian are ‘latchkey teens’ in 1960s NYC. They are pranksters and dreamers, all but ignored by their parents. They idolize avant-garde Henry Orient, and their hot pursuit of him leads to hijinx involving the police, hippies, a boys military school, and half of NYC. When Did It Run? 12 previews and 80 performances at the Palace in 1967 Why Did It Have a Short Run? The show is a bit unbalanced in terms of how the roles are written. While the adults have important parts, the audience has way more fun when we're following the kids' side of the story--- and the villain teenager walks away with the show in the end, rather than the sweet ingenue. It's nothing that a few rewrites and some workshopping couldn't adjust. Henry, Sweet Henry is a worthy musical that audiences loved during its quick run at the Palace. As William Goldman shares in his important book The Season, audiences loved it as much as they loved Mame, the musical of the time. The bad reviews were very much a circumstantial product of Henry, Sweet Henry since the show had the bad fortune of opening on the tails of Hair. Critic Clive Barnes was eager to assert that shows like Hair were on their way in and shows like Henry, Sweet Henry were on their way out. Had Henry, Sweet Henry opened a season or two earlier, there would've certainly been room for this rollicking hot air balloon ride of a musical. Why Should It Be Revived? The idea of "fangirling" a pop music icon, while certainly relevant for a generation who grew up with Elvis and The Beatles, is perhaps even more relevant in our wild age of social media pop culture fame. Two lovestruck girls stalking a musician? Conceive Henry Orient as a "rockstar" like those we worship today, and fill the show with scenes of angst and hero worship set against the backdrop of wild but candy- colored City... you have the recipe for a really entertaining, humanity-filled musical comedy. Also, the score is superb- this is a you will be addicted to, if you buy it! Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? Julia Mattison as Kafritz! She would bring the house down. Someone with a strong presence should be in the ingenue role of Valerie; I'd love to see Jenn Damiano do it. In the role of Henry, Will Swenson would have an interesting, charismatic take. Hidden Gem Of The Show: The role of Kafritz is a huge scene-stealer with show- stopping songs: a great opportunity for a young actress to really fly. And the original stopping songs: a great opportunity for a young actress to really fly. And the original Michael Bennett choreography!! This legend of musical theatre has shows like this one, with unique trademark choreography, that have never been revived. If his work could be recreated, it would be a magical thing to see.

2. Truckload

Video: https://youtu.be/tGAm7qSytmA Who Wrote The Show? Book by Hugh Wheeler, Music by Louis St. Louis, Lyrics by Wes Harris What's It About? A concept musical about people on the road, on the move, on the freeway. Truckload was about real people traveling through America. When Did It Run? 6 previews at the Lyceum in September 1975 Why Did It Have a Short Run? The show's producers were the infamous, future- convict for larceny and fraud, Adela Holzer as well as first-time Broadway guy Dick Clark from American Bandstand. The money was mismanaged, and when the show needed $500,000 to go on, after its first few previews, it was forced to close. Why Should It Be Revived? The music, by Louis St. Louis, is some of the most diverse, boisterous, colorful music ever heard on Broadway. Pat Birch, who created the show with him, had inventive ideas that couldn't be fully realized due to the circumstances of the production. “Depending on how you look at it,” book writer Hugh Wheeler said in an interview, “the show has either no plot of 12 plots. It’s about the road- it’s all centered on a highway with a yellow line down the middle, with gas pumps, and ordinary people meeting.” The creators also articulated Truckload as “a musical tribute in this age of overmobility to all those countless Americans in restless transit across the U.S., some looking ahead eagerly; some looking back sadly; some uncertain of the future; some haunted by the past; all of them caught in mid- flight between yesterday evening and tomorrow morning.” This kind of off-kilter, worthy story deserves a second shot. Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? David Larsen, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Molly Pope, Kyle Beltran... a slew of great Broadway singer-actors who are skilled at portraying 'real' people. Hidden Gem Of The Show: The show was meant to be immersive, with audience members invited on stage to dance and take part in the action. People think that immersive theatre was recently invented, but it was certainly alive in the 1970s. This kind of presentation would be interesting to audiences today.

3. Leader of the Pack

Video: https://youtu.be/ApJgpoqhUq0 Who Wrote The Show? Original concept by Melanie Mintz, "Liner Notes" by Anne Beatts, Additional material by Jack Heifner, Music and Lyrics by Ellie Greenwich, Featuring songs with music and lyrics by Jeff Barry, Phil Spector, Tony Powers, George "Shadow" Morton, Jeff Kent and Ellen Foley What's It About? An autobiographical jukebox musical about the life and work of Ellie Greenwich, whose songs topped the charts in the 1960s. When Did It Run? 53 previews and 120 performances at the Ambassador in 1985 Why Did It Have a Short Run? I like to call Leader of the Pack the first jukebox musical, but of course the form has been evolving for a very long time. However, Leader of the Pack was the first modern Broadway musical of its kind to tell the story of a real person through their songs- a precursor to and Beautiful before the genre was popular or well-worn. While Leader of the Pack was nominated for Best Musical, it just didn't catch on during the mid-1980s lull of Broadway theatergoing. Frank Rich also opened his New York Times review with: Although there are as yet no candidates in the competition for best musical of the Broadway season, the race for most calamitous musical has gained a strong new contender with 'Leader of the Pack,' a purported tribute to golden rock-and-roll oldies at the Ambassador. While not as pointless as ''The Three Musketeers'' or as lengthy as Harrigan 'n Hart or as becalmed as Quilters, this show does Musketeers'' or as lengthy as Harrigan 'n Hart or as becalmed as Quilters, this show does lead the pack in such key areas as incoherence (total), vulgarity (boundless) and decibel level (stratospheric, with piercing electronic feedback)." OUCH. There were audience members who loved the show, but most critics sure didn’t. Why Should It Be Revived? Since Leader of the Pack opened, we've had many many successful musicals that have been enjoyed and acclaimed for all of the same aspects that were criticized about this early jukebox show. Audiences would definitely find a lot to enjoy in the story of Ellie Greenwich today - from the fun and joyous way her lovable songs are integrated into the story, to the feminism inherent in this tale of a woman rising to the top and fighting her own battles in the turbulent 1960s. Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? Bring Golden and Darlene Love back to reprise their roles! Zak Resnick would be great as suave Jeff Barry and Donna Vivino would be a swell young Ellie Greenwich. Hidden Gem Of The Show: The show is a minefield of opportunity for a choreographer who excels at lively 1960s movement. And every song is a winner- from "Be My Baby" to "Chapel of Love" to the title song. Also, Ellie Greenwich really was a pioneer of popular music - and this woman's story deserves to be told.

4. The Human Comedy

Video: https://youtu.be/Ft_MdYWwVEg Who Wrote The Show? Book and Lyrics by William Dumaresq, Music by Galt MacDermot What's It About? The Macauley family live in during World War II. Homer is a young telegraph messenger, little Ulysses loves greeting the train, Bess daydreams about boys, and their mother Kate holds the family together while brother Marcus is at war. The story follows an ordinary family and an ordinary town… in an extraordinary way that reveals the true heart of the American dream. When Did It Run? 20 previews and 13 performances at the Royale (Jacobs) in 1984 Why Did It Have a Short Run? The show got a rave in the Times from Frank Rich for its off-Broadway production at the Public, so it transferred to Broadway--- where it was seen as too small and alternative to really land at the much-larger Royale (Jacobs) Theatre. Rich's review wasn't reprinted, and Clive Barnes hated the show. This little- show-that-could needed critics behind it, and when it got them off-Broadway but not on, it folded. Why Should It Be Revived? This show is quite literally a masterpiece, and I’ve found many theatre aficionados, writers and other professionals who agree. If it had succeeded, America would have led the way in the "pop opera" revolution of the 1980s, rather than Britain. The show was sung-through in a style that American shows weren’t yet. Its story and score are ripe for discovery. Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? Gaten Matarazzo is meant to play Ulysses. Taylor Trensch would be the perfect Homer - inquisitive, goofy, intelligent-- our window into the world of World War II era California. Janet Krupin would be transfixing as Bess, longing for a better time. Colin Donnell and Jason Tam could be Marcus and his best friend Tobey, off at war. As Kate Macauley, grounded center of the show, who better than the revelatory Emily Skinner. Hidden Gem Of The Show: The whole show. There are no book problems or issues with the concept. This is a masterwork that "failed" due to circumstances, and which I'm surprised hasn't come back in a huge way yet. I'd love to see The Public revive The Human Comedy.

5. How Do You Do I Love You

Video: https://youtu.be/jYztiJfoyk4 Who Wrote The Show? Book by Michael Stewart, Music by David Shire, Lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. What's It About? Computer dating in the 1960s! Young All-American lady Alice Frances gets sent from New Jersey to by her family. She is to get a job "doing Frances gets sent from New Jersey to Manhattan by her family. She is to get a job "doing something that ladies do" and find a husband so that his name can be printed on her wedding invitations, which are already finalized otherwise, including the date! Alice Frances ventures to the big city in order to achieve the ultimate goal… of leaving the city for Larchmont and raising 2.5 kids. She ends up using the computer at her new job to try to find a mate... and the rest of a society-skewering hilarious commentary on the state of American dating, marriage, and gender wars. When Did It Run? Fall of 1967 at the Westbury Music Fair and Shady Grove Music Fair, announced for Broadway but never came in Why Did It Have a Short Run? The show was witty, with a bouncy, brassy score- a cousin of How To Succeed, with a similar office setting. However, the clever tone wasn't quite appreciated by critics, who thought the show wasn't sure when it was being satirical and when it was being sincere. The "no name" writers in their 20s didn't help matters much. And the out of town venues meant that the show had to be staged in the round (which of course it wouldn't be on Broadway) but this was awkward and very badly received. Why Should It Be Revived? How Do You Do I Love You is not only an "undiscovered gem" by now popular musical theatre writers Maltby and Shire (Baby, Big, Starting Here Starting Now, Closer Than Ever)... it was also the start of orchestrator Jonathan Tunick- whose work on the show is outrageously great. A year later, when Burt Bacharach was looking for someone to do the for his new musical, Promises Promises, he asked the only person he knew in theatre who he should get. told Bacharach: “Get that guy who did How Do You Do I Love You, he’s great!” And thus, Jonathan Tunick’s career took off. His orchestrations on How Do You Do I Love You are golden 1960s swinging goodness, and would be thrilling to unearth with a live band and production. The subjects explored in the show, as well as its general concept, were ahead of its time. People barely knew what computer dating was in 1967, and the way that its presentation in the show reveals the gender politics of the 1960s is very relevant to both life today, and America's social history. Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? would be fantastic as Alice Frances, originated by . It would be great fun to have Loni Ackerman, who was in the original production, play a new role. Hidden Gem Of The Show: The show has several songs that went on to gain popularity after appearing in other Maltby-Shire projects, including “One Step”, “Pleased With Myself”, and “Just Across The River”. But it also has an equal amount of marvelous numbers that were never used elsewhere or recorded, including "Still Single", featured in the video above!

6. Georgy

Video: https://youtu.be/ABH_iSk3Sis Who Wrote The Show? Book by Tom Mankiewicz, Music by Carole Bayer, Lyrics by George Fischoff What's It About? Based on the movie Georgy Girl, which had come out only 4 years earlier, the show followed frumpy, awkward young Georgy and her conceited roommate Meredith. Georgy is in love with Meredith's boyfriend Jos. When Meredith gets pregnant, she gives birth and then disappears, leaving Georgy to take care of the baby. Georgy lands Jos for awhile, but ends up deciding to marry an older man to provide security for the baby. Hardly a conventional story, Georgy dealt with modern young people and their problems - but in a fun, valentine-to-New York kind of way. When Did It Run? 7 previews and 4 performances at the Winter Garden in 1970 Why Did It Have a Short Run? Fascinatingly, this was before the era where blockbuster movies were often made into Broadway musicals, and critics and audiences weren't very interested in seeing the same story they'd recently seen on movie screens! Now, musicals need to capitalize on a movie's brand, as well as audience's love for it... but back then, shows would even change their titles (such as how The Apartment became Promises Promises) to distinguish the two properties. The fact that Georgy Girl was a popular movie actually hurt this show's chances. movie actually hurt this show's chances. Why Should It Be Revived? The music, by a then 22-year-old Carole Bayer (she would add the Sager later) is outrageously good, full of youth and pop hooks and surprises. The book ain't bad either. In fact, a production head from United Artists saw one of Georgy's 4 performances, was impressed and hired Tom Mankiewicz-- he went to Hollywood, never looked back, and ended up writing many of the James Bond films. Georgy also has a lot to offer a modern audience about what young women were thinking and doing in the late 1960s. Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? I love the idea of Jeremy Jordan as Jos. He would lend a layer of likability to this character who is pursuing two best friends. Grace McLean could be an elegant, bitchy, but funny Meredith, which would help that character as well. For Georgy, Allison Case would be excellent at playing a range of traits, from sweet to determined. Hidden Gem Of The Show: Early Carole Bayer songs that no one knows! "There's A Comin' Together", the act one closer, is a showstopper that was destined to be performed on the , but never was.

7. Home Again, Home Again/ 13 Days To Broadway

Video: https://youtu.be/tOFR1J21Lqg Who Wrote The Show? Book by Russell Baker, Lyrics by Barbara Fried, Music by Cy Coleman What's It About? The show follows 3 generations of an American family over a 40-year period, to tell a story about the American Dream and how it changed during the 20th century. A cousin of Allegro, the show was based on columns by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Russell Baker. When Did It Run? 1978 in Connecticut and Canada, announced for Broadway but never came in Why Did It Have a Short Run? Variety wrote: “It’s difficult to be constructive about a show as mediocre at Home Again. There’s nothing wrong with the show that a new book, score, cast, direction, choreography, sets and costumes wouldn’t help.” Why Should It Be Revived? The abysmal reviews ignored the assets of Home Again, Home Again; the much revered Baker had a good libretto in him somewhere, but had just never written a musical before and needed more guidance… and the music by Cy Coleman is full of variety and style. After the planned opening at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1979 was cancelled, it came out that Baker had kept a diary throughout the entire crazy out-of-town process. He wanted to publish it, but Coleman and Fried convince him--- let's make THIS into a musical! 13 Days to Broadway was based on the experiences had during Home Again, Home Again... and that show has almost come to Broadway a few times, including a planned opening at the Ritz (Walter Kerr) in 1987. 13 Days to Broadway includes diegetic songs that had originally been in Home Again, Home Again! Wild. The two shows have each been called flawed, but also have quite a bit to offer. Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? The best known song from 13 Days To Broadway is "You There In The Back Row", popularized by Liz Callaway. I'd love to hear this sung in the show by Allie Trimm. And it would be fun to see Casey Nicholaw take on the direction of this musical about an unruly out-of-town tryout of a musical. As for Home Again, Home Again, it really is filled with completely undiscovered Cy Coleman greatness from a variety of eras. If the show comes back, I'd like to hear the orchestrations uncovered and recreated by . I'd also like to see what David Cromer could do with the show as director! Hidden Gem Of The Show: Despite Variety's evaluation, I believe Home Again Home Again does have worthy things to say about the 20th century and American values in a way that might be more relevant with some perspective, as we have now. One of America's best and best Pulitzer Prize winning columnists adds up to two shows I'd like to see return in some fashion.

8. Soon

Video: https://youtu.be/inj5dXc76_A Who Wrote The Show? Book by Martin Duberman, Music by Joseph M. Kookolis and Scott Fagan, Lyrics by Scott Fagan What's It About? Soon starred (a 21 year old) Richard Gere, Barry Bostwick, Nell Carter and Peter Allen. It was Broadway’s first real rock opera. And it closed after only 3 performances. Got your attention yet? It was about young musicians who move to the Big City with the dream of making meaningful music, and are eaten by the commercial machine. (Not literally.) When Did It Run? 21 previews and 3 performances at the Ritz (Walter Kerr) in 1971 Why Did It Have a Short Run? While the show had its assets, it was also a bit of a mess. The story was sometimes literal and sometimes took place in limbo but this wasn't clearly defined... the show was a commercial musical criticizing commercialism... the show was also not-safe-for-matinees-with-Grandma, with lyrics like “Bob Dylan/ I’m willing to lay cross your bed/ Cause I heard from an English Bird/ That you like good..." Why Should It Be Revived? A plot-driven show that was sung through, Soon was a relative of Hair, and a precursor to all of the rock operas that came after it in a way that's relevant to Broadway history and the timeline of the American musical. The anti- establishment statement of the show is interesting to think about, given how this view has evolved among American youth. A big second act number found the cast singing a list of their frustrations with society: “Desolation/ Suffocation/ Degradation/ Manipulation/ Assassination”! A backwards “La Vie Boheme”, more than two decades before . Critic Richard Watts wrote, “Having always thought of rock music as an expression of youthful exaultation, I was taken aback by the deep melancholia of the young people in Soon. They were constantly singing of the dismal prospect of the future… Soon is actually a rather agreeable little concoction. The score is pleasant and lively. But there is something disarming about the way that the book presents the young people in such a broodingly philosophical mood.” Apparently, years before Spring Awakening, Soon was also the first angst-ical. Adults were disturbed by this look into youth culture, that it wasn’t all brightness, exuberance and . Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? Jake Epstein kills the title song in this video, and there's no one else I'd rather hear sing it. Hidden Gem Of The Show: Soon has a lot to say and a lot of interesting ways of saying it, and even if the show isn't a polished, gift-wrapped musical, it's worth seeing again. Don't we want musicals that aren't polished and gift-wrapped, a little messy and weird around the edges?

9. Happiness

Video: https://youtu.be/x9YBc-yBVIc Who Wrote The Show? Book by John Weidman, Music by Scott Frankel, Lyrics by Michael Korie What's It About? Happiness told the story of a dozen diverse New Yorkers on a stalled subway car, who had to recall and relive the happiest moment of their life before continuing on. After awhile, we discover that the characters have all died, and this is their final assignment before moving on to what's next. When Did It Run? March to June of 2009 at the Mitzi Newhouse Why Did It Have a Short Run? Original musicals, ones that are not based on movies that have already been story-boarded or books that have already been edited, are HARD. Especially if they have a darkness to them! This one probably could've used a bit more workshopping and time, but it was chock-full of wonderful, original, thought-provoking characters, ideas and songs. The show was polarizing when it came out. Some felt the show was nothing more than a glorified revue, with no real driving force to prevent each character's story from feeling random. I myself found the show to be a hugely moving, completely engaging piece of original work, with A+, layered performances from Sebastian Arcelus (as a driven lawyer who feels he's gotten on the wrong train) and Sebastian Arcelus (as a driven lawyer who feels he's gotten on the wrong train) and Hunter Foster (as the train conductor in charge), as well as Joanna Gleason, Jenny Powers, Ken Page, Fred Applegate, Phyllis Somerville, Miguel Cervantes, Pearl Sun, Robert Petkoff, and more. This is a true ensemble musical about the way we interact with each other and the world around us, the kind of show that would be created if Steppenwolf focused on musicals rather than plays. Each song, portraying someone's happiest moment, was surprising and revealing as well as very real - skillfully written by the men who had recently created Grey Gardens. John Weidman and Susan Stroman each did complex work and trusted their audiences to take the leap- which some did and some didn't. Why Should It Be Revived? One of the best musicals of the last 10 years to not get recorded. If a musical plays in the forest but nobody makes an original cast recording, did it really play? (In all seriousness, a Happiness cast recording must happen.) Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? Bring back the amazing 2009 cast to give it another shot. Hidden Gem Of The Show: The whole thing.

10. Kicks The Showgirl Musical

Video: https://youtu.be/OM0MSuqxgwc Who Wrote The Show? Book and Lyrics by , Music by Alan Menken What's It About? Kicks follows the lives of four showgirls, Joanne, Arlene, Betty and Claire- from the end of World War II to the tumultous 1960s. When Did It Run? Workshops starting in 1984, announced for Broadway but never came in Why Did It Have a Short Run? Kicks closed in workshops. This was a huge Broadway musical. It had elaborate production numbers choreographed by Chris Chadman, a beautiful scenic design by and a magnificent, many- costumed plot by William Ivey Long. Although the show's producers were on board and believed fully in the project, they just couldn't raise the money for the out-of-town tryout at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, and a planned opening at the 46th Street (Richard Rodgers) Theatre in December 1984 was announced and then scrapped. Investors had seen too many quick failures lately, in the tumultuous Broadway of the mid- 1980s, and they were all hesitant. Kicks The Showgirl Musical would have opened during the 1985 Tony season, noted as one of the driest Broadway seasons of all time. The awards for Best Actor and Actress in a Musical were even eliminated that year. And while won the Tony for Best Musical, the other 3 nominees were all flops. Kicks would have had a great shot at success in the environment of the 1985 season. Why Should It Be Revived? Audiences who loved Eyen's would LOVE Kicks. The show is written in a similar style, with similar themes- but it has a uniqueness that sets it apart as well. The plot, stacked on the premise that the theater that the showgirls started out in is being torn down, is very Follies. Essentially, if you feel like you'd love Follies-meets-Dreamgirls, you will love Kicks. (And this is an Alan Menken score, written before he'd made it to Broadway yet!) Who Would Be Cast In The Revival? As Joanne, Arlene, Betty and Claire, I'd love to see Betsy Wolfe, Lindsay Mendez, , and Jenn Colella. Okay, now that I've written that, I feel I may die of Broadway magic if those 4 ladies ever sang a show- stopping Dreamgirls-style friendship ballad together, but it would be worth it. Would love to see this directed by Marc Bruni, who has a great sensibility about creating character development over long periods of time and also pacing a show that has nonstop movement. Hidden Gem Of The Show: A story of the friendship and lives of four women, with their decisions and dreams in the spotlight, is something that Broadway could definitely use. I also gotta see those William Ivey Long costumes!