Comments on: Theatre Review: “Swing!” at the American Cabaret Theatre

By: Zach

Zach — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:09:32 +0000

Hope–thanks so much for the plug to allalike.org! (Oops, looks like I just plugged it too!) We’d love to have you come check out “bare” in July!!

By: Hope

Hope — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:07:09 +0000

Well, if I hadn’t misquoted you, I wouldn’t have gotten all this other good info.

So…thanks, Dane, for your service to the cause (of my blog.)

By: Dane

Dane — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:55:39 +0000

Tis tis Hope….you better stop misquoting me! Don’t make me come over there *threatens with fist*

By: Hope

Hope — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:13:30 +0000

Thanks, Kevin! I appreciate getting this info, too.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:17:41 +0000

Hope,

Actually, a musical with no plot is usually termed a “musical revue.” Those may even have a “through-line” (quasi-story) but not really a “plot.”

Tim’s right – “jukebox” refers to the music making up the score rather than the story.

By: Hope

Hope — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:44:12 +0000

Thanks, Tim! I had assumed that “jukebox musical” meant no plot. I am glad to have the more accurate explanation.

As always, thanks for reading and commenting!

I didn’t realize how much I liked swing music until I saw this show. It will definitely be a draw for me from now on.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:15:19 +0000

It’s certainly possible to have a jukebox musical with a plot, for example, Jersey Boys or Mamma Mia!

A jukebox musical is a musical that doesn’t have any original songs, but rather features existing pop songs. Producers save a few bucks in rehearsal time, because there are no re-writes from the composer and lyricist
The producers are also hoping to lure people who would not otherwise go see a musical to come see their show, because they already like the original songs (hence, the proliferation of musicals based on the music of the Beach Boys, John Lennon, Bob Dyland, etc.)