The Astonishing: Live on Broadway

[theanalogkid7]

A strange thought occurred to me the other.  The Astonishing for sure has all the makings of being a pretty cool musical production.  We've all been fantasizing about who would play what role, etc etc.  I too was giving this some thought when something struck me...

What if DT decided (or more realistically were given the opportunity) to do a stint on Broadway.  And I don't mean just The Astonishing being done as a Broadway production, but The Astonishing with Dream Theater and other musicians providing the music.  They all live close enough to make it happen.  A years worth of playing music you enjoy, live, while also getting to be at home without the stress of a world tour.  That could be super appealing to the guys.

Just a thought.  Destroy it as you will. 

[ariich]

Actually on Broadway? Can't see it happening. DT getting involved in a limited off-Broadway run, though, that could be cool.

[theanalogkid7]

I really don't know the difference.   The general idea was like an extended period of time in one place doing The Astonishing.

[Tick]

Actually on Broadway? Can't see it happening. DT getting involved in a limited off-Broadway run, though, that could be cool.

I could see it. If the right director read the manuscript you never know.

[cramx3]

Seeing DT perform this at Radio City is about as close to reality this will get

[metrojam]

They certainly do do "cheese" on Broadway but not THIS MUCH!!!

[pantsofeternity]

It would bankrupt the band.  Prohibitively expensive.  Unless they have a superfan who's independently wealthy enough to back it.  But theater is expensive, and it's not like "Dream Theater's The Astonishing" appeals either to tourists or NYC theater types.

[Adami]

It works really well as a prog rock opera. But an actual, traditional broadway play? No.

I don't think the story is strong enough to stand on its own and I don't think music other than the album would support it well. And if you're just playing the album, then it's really not a broadwayesque play as much as it is a rock opera.

[pantsofeternity]

It works really well as a prog rock opera. But an actual, traditional broadway play? No.

I don't think the story is strong enough to stand on its own and I don't think music other than the album would support it well. And if you're just playing the album, then it's really not a broadwayesque play as much as it is a rock opera.

Rock operas conceived as albums can work on Broadway, but I don't think this one is stage-ready.  Something like Jesus Christ Superstar is easier because there's less exposition and explanation that needs to be accomplished -- most people, whether or not they are religious, know the basic story of Jesus going in; much less needs to be established for the plot to make sense.  With TA... there's a lot that needs to be explained, and just the visual element of the stagecraft isn't going to add all of that.

[erwinrafael]

It works really well as a prog rock opera. But an actual, traditional broadway play? No.

I don't think the story is strong enough to stand on its own and I don't think music other than the album would support it well. And if you're just playing the album, then it's really not a broadwayesque play as much as it is a rock opera.

Rock operas conceived as albums can work on Broadway, but I don't think this one is stage-ready.  Something like Jesus Christ Superstar is easier because there's less exposition and explanation that needs to be accomplished -- most people, whether or not they are religious, know the basic story of Jesus going in; much less needs to be established for the plot to make sense.  With TA... there's a lot that needs to be explained, and just the visual element of the stagecraft isn't going to add all of that.

What exactly can not be explained by the lyrics and seeing on stage the characters and their actions for the plot to make sense?

I let somebody I know who acts in musical theater to listen to this with a copy of the lyrics and she got the story on first listen.

[noxon]

A broadway show costs about ten million dollars to set up, and needs to run for about a year or two of sold out shows just to recoup the costs!

American Idiot sold 15 million albums. The Astonishing has sold at most 200000 albums. American Idiot only lasted a bit over a year and 450 shows - and didn't end up recouping its investment before it closed.

Tommy sold 20 million alums, and lasted for 900 shows.

Realistically: DT doesn't have what it takes to mount a show on broadway. A smaller scale show, maybe - but even that is pretty expensive.

[erwinrafael]

A broadway show costs about ten million dollars to set up, and needs to run for about a year or two of sold out shows just to recoup the costs!

American Idiot sold 15 million albums. The Astonishing has sold at most 200000 albums. American Idiot only lasted a bit over a year and 450 shows - and didn't end up recouping its investment before it closed.

Tommy sold 20 million alums, and lasted for 900 shows.

Realistically: DT doesn't have what it takes to mount a show on broadway. A smaller scale show, maybe - but even that is pretty expensive.

I think a Broadway show may be too much. I think a more realistic model is Dream Theater licensing out the musical to smaller theater production outfits, with them specifying some parameters on what could be modified to keep the integrity of the concept intact. I have seen a rock musical here in our country work with that model which has lead to five (by my last count) stagings by different musical productions all over the country.

[pantsofeternity]

A broadway show costs about ten million dollars to set up, and needs to run for about a year or two of sold out shows just to recoup the costs!

American Idiot sold 15 million albums. The Astonishing has sold at most 200000 albums. American Idiot only lasted a bit over a year and 450 shows - and didn't end up recouping its investment before it closed.

Tommy sold 20 million alums, and lasted for 900 shows.

Realistically: DT doesn't have what it takes to mount a show on broadway. A smaller scale show, maybe - but even that is pretty expensive.

Plus, American Idiot was god-awful.  Oy.

[pantsofeternity]

What exactly can not be explained by the lyrics and seeing on stage the characters and their actions for the plot to make sense?

I let somebody I know who acts in musical theater to listen to this with a copy of the lyrics and she got the story on first listen.

I'm too lazy to go and list a whole bunch of things, but a great example is the music player, which in a KEY moment of the story, Faythe finds out his her father's because she learns his nickname was Bug.  This recognition doesn't make sense without the explanation provided in the longer descriptions on the website, where it says that the music player reads that it belongs to Bug.  You'd have to add at least a piece of dialogue about that for this plot point to make sense.

Second, good for your friend, but the audience isn't going to have the lyric sheets at the show!  They'll have to understand everything on first listen, and I can guarantee you that is never going to happen with this piece as it is on the record.  I'm not trying to dampen spirits, here, but the idea of "The Astonishing" as a musical brings up red flags all over to the musical theater part of my brain.

[ariich]

What exactly can not be explained by the lyrics and seeing on stage the characters and their actions for the plot to make sense?

I let somebody I know who acts in musical theater to listen to this with a copy of the lyrics and she got the story on first listen.

I'm too lazy to go and list a whole bunch of things, but a great example is the music player, which in a KEY moment of the story, Faythe finds out his her father's because she learns his nickname was Bug.  This recognition doesn't make sense without the explanation provided in the longer descriptions on the website, where it says that the music player reads that it belongs to Bug.  You'd have to add at least a piece of dialogue about that for this plot point to make sense.

See, I didn't think this was a big deal at all. I listened with the lyrics before I saw any of the stuff on the website, and thought it was pretty obvious that 1. Faythe had heard the name Bug before and was now learning that it was her father, and 2. that Nefaryus had been into proper music when he was a younger man.

The fact that there was an inscription to Bug on the music player is just not that important, as far as I'm concerned.

The only thing I think that's actually missing is Daryus' hearing loss, which is pretty important and even when it's referenced in the title track isn't clear at all.

[Kotowboy]

Plus, American Idiot was god-awful.  Oy.

Amazing album though.

[SnakeEyes]

Someone already mentioned this, but I'll reinforce it -- the story isn't good enough.  In my opinion, the story isn't even good enough for a two hour album, never mind an entire musical theater production. 

[ErHaO]

I would love a theater show. However, I wouldn't like Broadway actually. I prefer getting vocalists of the prog rock/metal scene for a limited run, as I feel that would lead to more distinct and unique voices. Don't get me wrong, I like some Broadway recordings and every now and then attend musicals over here, but I do find these (classically) trained singers mostly sing within the boundaries of their technique/training (which is not necessarily a bad thing!). This is not a golden rule, offcourse, but you won't get something comparable to Ayreon or Avantasia albums in terms of wildy differering and unique vocals. Also, with a limited run, you can go wild with the selection of singers, as they won't have to commit a lot of their time/career to the work.

Someone already mentioned this, but I'll reinforce it -- the story isn't good enough.  In my opinion, the story isn't even good enough for a two hour album, never mind an entire musical theater production.

It is not exceptional that a show gets adjusted for theater purposes, be it storywise or musically. See American Idiot or even the Human Equation. The basics are most certainly there in TA. The only thing I would change in terms of story/music is the second half of disc 2 and add a bit of the militia and nomacs to give the story more impact.

[Rickharris1011]

It is not exceptional that a show gets adjusted for theater purposes, be it storywise or musically. See American Idiot or even the Human Equation. The basics are most certainly there in TA. The only thing I would change in terms of story/music is the second half of disc 2 and add a bit of the militia and nomacs to give the story more impact.

my heart would love to see a staged production.  I do agree the second act would need to be fleshed out a bit more and more about the revolution would fit there. Mostly I would love to see how a choreographer would handle all the odd time signatures

My head, however, knows there's not enough story for a typical American musical.  That which is there gets kind of silly at the end (music bringing someone back from the dead?) - works for me in this context...and as many have stated, it's just not broadly appealing enough (though i would still love to see it)

[TheCountOfNYC]

It is not exceptional that a show gets adjusted for theater purposes, be it storywise or musically. See American Idiot or even the Human Equation. The basics are most certainly there in TA. The only thing I would change in terms of story/music is the second half of disc 2 and add a bit of the militia and nomacs to give the story more impact.

my heart would love to see a staged production.  I do agree the second act would need to be fleshed out a bit more and more about the revolution would fit there. Mostly I would love to see how a choreographer would handle all the odd time signatures

My head, however, knows there's not enough story for a typical American musical.  That which is there gets kind of silly at the end (music bringing someone back from the dead?) - works for me in this context...and as many have stated, it's just not broadly appealing enough (though i would still love to see it)

That kind of happens in Rent and that play was immensely popular when it was on Broadway.

[RoadTrain_of Thought]

I will hijack this thread for a bit (I don't want to create a new one just for it).

Are we going to get a "The Astonishing Live" DVD? Has anything been said about it?

[Kotowboy]

Nothing has been said.

But I hope they do a BTFW type one with choir and orchestra.

Film it at the same venue as Score for it's 10th anniversary.

[RoadTrain_of Thought]

I hope we get one too, since I gave up going to a live show. Even if it didn't have a choir and an orchestra I would still be ok with it.

[Kotowboy]

I hope we get one too, since I gave up going to a live show. Even if it didn't have a choir and an orchestra I would still be ok with it.

I'd definitely be ok with it without the choir and orchestra.

[Adami]

How about a two night performance, each with a choir/orchestra?

Night 1 is just them playing the album as usual.

Night 2 is the album but with different singers for different parts. That way the people who want each will have the option.

[pantsofeternity]

...That which is there gets kind of silly at the end (music bringing someone back from the dead?) - works for me in this context...and as many have stated, it's just not broadly appealing enough (though i would still love to see it)

That kind of happens in Rent and that play was immensely popular when it was on Broadway.

Haha, had this exact thought on first listen.  "The hero his song and she comes back to life... is this literally the Rent ending?"

...I listened with the lyrics before I saw any of the stuff on the website, and thought it was pretty obvious that 1. Faythe had heard the name Bug before and was now learning that it was her father, and 2. that Nefaryus had been into proper music when he was a younger man.

The fact that there was an inscription to Bug on the music player is just not that important, as far as I'm concerned.

The only thing I think that's actually missing is Daryus' hearing loss, which is pretty important and even when it's referenced in the title track isn't clear at all.

I'd argue it's pretty important that the music player used to belong to her father!  That's a major plot point.  Whether or not it's revealed through the "Bug" thing, it would have to be dealt with.  What may seem obvious to you may be puzzling to some.  (There was plenty of reaction here on the boards to the effect of "WTF is bug???" in the first days of the album.)  I guarantee you it would confuse people.

[CDrice]

I'd argue it's pretty important that the music player used to belong to her father!  That's a major plot point.  Whether or not it's revealed through the "Bug" thing, it would have to be dealt with.  What may seem obvious to you may be puzzling to some.  (There was plenty of reaction here on the boards to the effect of "WTF is bug???" in the first days of the album.)  I guarantee you it would confuse people.

Yeah, I was a little bit confused by that the first few time I listened to the album. My theory, before reading the website, was that Nafaryus was a musician in a band called Bug and there was songs from that band on Faythe's music player.

[Rickharris1011]

It is not exceptional that a show gets adjusted for theater purposes, be it storywise or musically. See American Idiot or even the Human Equation. The basics are most certainly there in TA. The only thing I would change in terms of story/music is the second half of disc 2 and add a bit of the militia and nomacs to give the story more impact.

my heart would love to see a staged production.  I do agree the second act would need to be fleshed out a bit more and more about the revolution would fit there. Mostly I would love to see how a choreographer would handle all the odd time signatures

My head, however, knows there's not enough story for a typical American musical.  That which is there gets kind of silly at the end (music bringing someone back from the dead?) - works for me in this context...and as many have stated, it's just not broadly appealing enough (though i would still love to see it)

That kind of happens in Rent and that play was immensely popular when it was on Broadway.

That's right - One shot, glory.  I forgot the plot, but remember the song...go figure.  Is it terrible that I loved the parody "Lease" from Team America: World Police...