Odd Shows That Ran on Broadway

As a fan of obscure plays, I did a little digging today and found some shows that are weird, quirky, and downright odd! The following information comes from such incredible websites as broadwayworld.com and playbill.com. Enjoy!

The Vamp (1955) This crazy, over-the-top Hollywood satire opened at the Winter Garden Theatre and ran for 60 performances. It starred Carol Channing as Flora Weems, a simple farmgirl who allows herself to be transformed into a silent screen star.

Shinbone Alley (1957) This unconventional "back-alley" opera is about a lovelorn cockroach and his feline friend. The show starred Eartha Kitt and ran for 49 performances. It was abridged for a television broadcast, as well as adapted by Allied Artists into an animated film.

Rockabye Hamlet (1976) Based on Shakespeare's classic play, this show utilizes rock, pop, and country music to tell the story of the besotted Danish prince. The musical was staged as a rock concert and starred Beverly D'Angelo as Ophelia., but it only ran for 7 performances.

But Never Jam Today (1979) This all-black adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice in Wonderland starred a talented company who played all of the denizens of Wonderland. The musical opened at the Longacre Theatre, but critics felt the script didn't grasp the humor of the original story. It closed after only 8 performances.

Raggedy Ann (1986) What seemed like the perfect idea for a children's musical turned into a theatrical nightmare. Rag dolls Ann and Andy go on an adventure to find a new heart for the sick little girl who owns them. Along the way, they meet a woman attempting to commit suicide, a forest of skeletons, and a man who insists on marring their sick owner. As most people couldn't tell what audience this musical was trying to target, the show only ran for 5 performances.

Comments

Historical Mutilations/Arti Doll

I'm thrilled to announce that one of my plays, Historical Mutilations, will be produced this summer by Theatre Off the Square in Weatherford, Texas. Along with Mike Byham's play, Arti Doll, my play will be produced on June 7-9, 2024, as both plays were winners of the 2023 New Works Contest. I am so excited that such a prestigious venue as Theatre Off the Square will be producing one of my shows! Historical Mutilations is about the murder of Gary Hinman. A hippie renaissance figure in the 1960s, as well as the Manson Family's "forgotten victim," Hinman was found dead in his home on Old Topanga Canyon Road eight days before Sharon Tate and four others were found murdered at Tate's Cielo Drive residence. My play, a biodrama, depicts a possible conversation that Hinman and cult-leader Charles Manson may have had prior to Hinman's murder. In doing so, Manson compares what is happening to Hinman to famous mutilations of the past, specifically the self-m...

Stage Adaptations of The Tell-Tale Heart

Most of my readers know I have a stage version of Edgar Allan Poe's classic short-story, The Tell-Tale Heart, published through Next Stage Press. While putting together this post as a shameless plug for my work, I did a little research and found there are some other great versions of Poe's work floating around out there. As such, let me turn you on to the following versions: The Tell-Tale Heart adapted by Robert Mason. Turned mad by the sight of his neighbor's eye, Burke kills the old man and cautiously hides the body. Despite his cleverness, however, will Burke be able to escape his own insanity? www.playscripts.com The Tell-Tale Heart adapted Luella McMahon. A young man plans and commits the "perfect crime." But when a detective stops by on a quite different manner, the young man finds he is unable to stop the pounding of the dead man's heart. www.dramaticpublishing.com The Tell-Tale Heart adapted by Paul Millet. A series o...

Murder on Old Topanga Canyon Road

I haven't shared my good news on social media yet, so hear goes! One of my plays, Historical Mutilations, will be produced this summer by Theatre Off the Square in Weatherford, Texas. Along with Mike Byham's play, Arti Doll, my play will be produced on June 7-9, 2024. Both plays were winners of the 2023 New Works Contest, and I am thrilled that such a prestigious venue as Theatre Off the Square will be taking on this project! Historical Mutilations tells the story of the murder of Gary Hinman. A hippie renaissance figure in the 1960s, as well as the Manson Family's "forgotten victim," Hinman was found dead in his home on Old Topanga Canyon Road on July 31, 1969. This was eight days before Sharon Tate and four others were found murdered at Tate's Cielo Drive residence. My play, a biodrama, depicts a possible conversation that Hinman and cult-leader Charles Manson may have had prior to Hinman's murder. In doing so, Manson compares ...

Bradley Nies, Playwright

Search This Blog