What Was The Point of The Music Man Revival Anyways?

This was originally published to the OnStage Blog Email Newsletter on 9/16/2022

Greg Ehrhardt, OnStage Blog Editorial Staff

We read with amusement the news that The Music Man was going to be performing its final show in January 2023.

Why amusement?

Well, readers would know how much we disliked this project from multiple angles. But, as even we admitted, with Hugh Jackman at the helm, it would generate significant box office dollars, even with lukewarm critic reviews.

Still, a successful musical closing after a year is unusual, if not particularly unsurprising with this particular musical.

Why?

Because it was incredibly unlikely Jackman would stay past a year (a year contract is industry standard for a big-time leading man like Jackman), and who else would want to step into this role?

This revival was done solely because of of 1) it will make money 2) Jackman’s interest and availability, which is a big reason it will make money; let’s face it, Jackman is pretty typecast for this kind of role. That’s why when Justin Timberlake was rumored to be in negotiations to replace Jackman, we wrote that it made little sense and would be a pop culture tragedy.

The Music Man is simply not a timely production. That doesn’t mean it can’t be performed, but when it’s produced with a singular leading man in mind, it just doesn’t leave much of an endgame other than a quick cancellation.

So what did we gain from The Music Man revival? That Hugh Jackman can sing and dance in an old timey fashion? We didn’t need a self-indulgent vanity project to know that.

We knew Sutton Foster could sing and act. Scott Rudin, before he was forced to exit, didn’t need an easy box office hit. Did The Music Man add to the culture with its revival? The answer is no.

So what did we gain, I ask again?

Yes, I’m aware things are done on Broadway to make money.

Art though, especially theatre, is fundamentally supposed to be more than just money, otherwise art would feature a LOT more poop jokes and toilet humor.

Unfortunately, what we got from this revival is a missed opportunity.

A missed opportunity for a fresh and diverse production to captivate our minds.

A missed opportunity to try and revamp The Music Man with a 2022 perspective, looking like 2022 America.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like missed opportunities.

I like opportunities.

America is a land of opportunity, after all.

If only Broadway would showcase more opportunities for everyone, not just rich celebrities looking for vanity projects.