Jersey Boys AND Harmony

After seeing the Jersey Boys in Vegas last month, I've been enjoying the soundtrack and recalling the story behind the musical. Jersey Boys is a documentary-style musical based on the lives of one of the most successful '60s rock 'n roll groups, the Four Seasons. The musical uses many of the group's hit songs to tell the turbulent story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons' rise to fame. The story is told from the viewpoint of each of the members of the group, giving the audience a different perspective and allowing you to actually see the personalities and the conflicts that arose during their rise to fame and subsequent success. Part concert, part Jukebox musical, Jersey Boys took in over $400,000 at the box office the day after it opened. Jersey Boys premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse.

I couldn't help but compare this successful musical to another musical about a group of male singers: The Comedian Harmonists. Barry's musical, Harmony, is based on the real-life tale of the Comedian Harmonists, a vocal group in Germany in the 1920s and '30s, around the time Hitler was rising to power. The story is focused around the lives of these six men and the music tells the story of their struggles and their eventual success. Harmony also premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse and received very positive reviews, prior to encountering legal issues that forced its shut down.



So here's my question? If Jersey Boys could be such a success financially and win numerous Tony Awards, why not Harmony? Perhaps now is the time. Perhaps now the public is primed and ready to receive a musical of such high caliber and creativity both in the writing of the story, lyrics and musical score.

I will continue to believe it's possible and keep the dream alive...
First..there was Harmony!
Texas Fan