McCartney writes first musical, stage version of...
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"Is there still a way to submit questions to him? The last time I looked, I couldn't find it on the new website! "
I could not find it either so if anybody knows please help us out -lol
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I think it is safe to say this will never happen which is sad. I just did search for Broadway and West End shows that are scheduled for 2023-2024 and saw nothing about this show. The sites I looked at also mentioned shows that are "in progress" which basically means they are in development and there is no time schedule for them yet. Looks like COVID destroyed the chance of this musical being put on the stage. The questions I have is how come Paul has been so silent about it and what will ever happen to the music he already completed for the show.
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@yankeefan2 Seems like he has let a few projects fall to the wayside.
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I agree. That being said, this show not happening is not really under his control. COVID obviously stopped the show in its tracks and people working on it might have moved on to do other things. I just think it is a shame because I was really looking forward to it. Oh well -lol.
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I went to a Broadway web site and poster asked question about this and somebody answered today. See below.
"He was talked into the project by Bill Kenwright, the don of cheap-as-chips touring in the UK, who had been his classmate at the Liverpool Institute when they were kids. BK has never been great at keeping too many plates spinning; he's got four productions running right now -- Heathers in London and on tour, Blood Brothers on the road (again), Ian McKellen in Frank and Percy, a musical of Calendar Girls, and Twelve Angry Men (which you wouldn't think would sell in the UK, but who knows, it seems to have "names" that would at least sell tickets in the provinces).
I think the show is neither Bill's nor Paul's biggest priority right now."
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Bill died a few days ago
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That is sad to hear, guess that means this show will not happen. Like I said several times, I would love to hear the songs (approx 20) Paul had already written for the show.
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@yankeefan2
So sad to hear the news. Hopefully someone will continue on with it.
Joy to the World - Peace on Earth - We are all ONE
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@love2travel said in McCartney writes first musical, stage version of...:
@yankeefan2
So sad to hear the news. Hopefully someone will continue on with it.That's possible, but probably not likely. Broadway musicals are big, expensive, financially risky undertakings. This may be one of those things we hear nothing more about until Paul has passed on. I wonder if there are demos of the songs? I imagine there must be.
"The only true patriotism, the only rational patriotism is loyalty to the nation all the time, loyalty to government when it deserves it."
\--Mark Twain
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Yes, there are demos. There was article back in 2019 I believe that Paul stated he completed songs and sent them to the producers of the show. He said it included the opening song of the show which he thought needed some work. He said they loved the opening song and thought it was already great which Paul said was a nice surprise. I agree with you 100%, will probably never hear these songs until after Paul passes on and even that may be doubtful. Guess it will all depends on who is running his estate, not sure if it would be Nancy or his children.
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See from an article in 2019 below.
"Out of the blue I got an email from Paul asking my thoughts on his first stab at an opening song. He wasn’t sure – but wanted to know what Lee and I thought of it? I played the demo. Lee and I were unanimous. Our hero was a musical theatre writer!”
Paul was in the middle of releasing his number one album ‘Egypt Station’ in September 2018 as well as launching a global tour to support the album release, but in between touring and album commitments Paul found time to work with Lee Hall on more songs. Both here and in New York.
Bill remembers another moment in January of this year the day after he’d watched Everton lose in an FA Cup match at Millwall. He was inconsolable – but Lee rang him from the airport after working with Paul in New York and brought over a further six tracks in demo form. His gloom started to lift…
“They exceeded expectations for both of us. The songs take you somewhere you don’t expect to go. They sound simple – but it’s deceptive. That’s Paul’s genius. I don’t have to tell any lover of music how extraordinary he is – but he constantly takes my breath away. Since we worked together on the The Pitmen Painters Lee has been a special writer and person to me. And it’s a privilege to watch Paul and Lee create so vibrantly together.”
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@yankeefan2 said in McCartney writes first musical, stage version of...:
See from an article in 2019 below.
"Out of the blue I got an email from Paul asking my thoughts on his first stab at an opening song. He wasn’t sure – but wanted to know what Lee and I thought of it? I played the demo. Lee and I were unanimous. Our hero was a musical theatre writer!”
Paul was in the middle of releasing his number one album ‘Egypt Station’ in September 2018 as well as launching a global tour to support the album release, but in between touring and album commitments Paul found time to work with Lee Hall on more songs. Both here and in New York.
Bill remembers another moment in January of this year the day after he’d watched Everton lose in an FA Cup match at Millwall. He was inconsolable – but Lee rang him from the airport after working with Paul in New York and brought over a further six tracks in demo form. His gloom started to lift…
“They exceeded expectations for both of us. The songs take you somewhere you don’t expect to go. They sound simple – but it’s deceptive. That’s Paul’s genius. I don’t have to tell any lover of music how extraordinary he is – but he constantly takes my breath away. Since we worked together on the The Pitmen Painters Lee has been a special writer and person to me. And it’s a privilege to watch Paul and Lee create so vibrantly together.”
I so want to hear these songs, even if the show never gets produced.
"The only true patriotism, the only rational patriotism is loyalty to the nation all the time, loyalty to government when it deserves it."
\--Mark Twain
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Sadly, I think the show will never be produced. You know better than me about the business angle of putting on a Broadway/West End show and I just don't see anybody trying to put it together. In addition, Paul is not getting any younger so time could be running out for him to be involved in possibly finishing up music for this show if they could get backers. The only way I see this music ever being heard is maybe after Paul has passed away his estate tries to package unreleased music by him in a compilation. Damn COVID !!!
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@yankeefan2 said in McCartney writes first musical, stage version of...:
Sadly, I think the show will never be produced. You know better than me about the business angle of putting on a Broadway/West End show and I just don't see anybody trying to put it together. In addition, Paul is not getting any younger so time could be running out for him to be involved in possibly finishing up music for this show if they could get backers. The only way I see this music ever being heard is maybe after Paul has passed away his estate tries to package unreleased music by him in a compilation. Damn COVID !!!
You're very likely right. It's possible some producer out there could be interested and get the thing going again, but there are too many variables to know how likely it might be. For example, I don't think I've seen anything saying how close they are to having a finished script. If they're close, and/or if the writer(s) are still around and interested, it might not be hard to get together if someone is willing to put up the money to do it. On the other hand, if it's just a handful of songs and a very rough outline and the original writer has moved on to other things, we're probably screwed.
Bear in mind also that having a major pop star attached to a Broadway musical is no guarantee of success, as Paul Simon can attest.
"The only true patriotism, the only rational patriotism is loyalty to the nation all the time, loyalty to government when it deserves it."
\--Mark Twain
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@bruce-m said in McCartney writes first musical, stage version of...:
Bear in mind also that having a major pop star attached to a Broadway musical is no guarantee of success, as Paul Simon can attest.
That is true but Elton John has had some success with Broadway musicals (Lion King, Aida etc). While the show (The Last Ship) by Sting did not run long on Broadway it did receive Tony nomination for best original score. Pop artist Sara Bareilles had a hit with Broadway/West End musical "Waitress". I believe I read she is writing another musical now, not sure.
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@yankeefan2 said in McCartney writes first musical, stage version of...:
@bruce-m said in McCartney writes first musical, stage version of...:
Bear in mind also that having a major pop star attached to a Broadway musical is no guarantee of success, as Paul Simon can attest.
That is true but Elton John has had some success with Broadway musicals (Lion King, Aida etc). While the show (The Last Ship) by Sting did not run long on Broadway it did receive Tony nomination for best original score. Pop artist Sara Bareilles had a hit with Broadway/West End musical "Waitress". I believe I read she is writing another musical now, not sure.
Having a big name involved will certainly attract interest, from both the media and the public, which obviously helps launch a show. But it can't save a turkey. A show can get nominated for a Tony or two and still fail to pay back its investors. In any case, I really hope we get "It's a Wonderful Life," or if we can't have the whole show, let's at least hope we get to hear the songs.
"The only true patriotism, the only rational patriotism is loyalty to the nation all the time, loyalty to government when it deserves it."
\--Mark Twain
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I know the definition of a "flop" or "turkey" is whether the investors recoup their investment. That being said, I make my personal judgement on the quality of the show by seeing it and or critical reviews I read. My wife and I saw "The Last Ship" and enjoyed it very much. Liked the story and the music was excellent. It got mixed reviews but almost all that I read liked the music from Sting. It could not pull in an audience long enough to recoup IMO because it was not a "flashy" Broadway show that could attract tourists to see it in large numbers. Maybe if Sting would have been in the show the whole time it might have done better.
I agree with you totally about "It's A Wonderful Life", would love to see it hit the stage. I wonder what Paul's feelings are about the show. Is he fine with songs he wrote for musical never to be heard on stage or in some type of recorded version. Always found it a bit odd that Paul has been so quiet about the show. Does not hurt to make some type of statement that show has been cancelled or is looking for another producer/investors. Maybe he figures nobody cares with the exception of a couple of theater "nerds" (lol) like you and me.
