Podcast Summary: "What's the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical? | News and rumours about his upcoming theatre projects"

Podcast: MickeyJoTheatre
Host: MickeyJoTheatre
Release Date: October 1, 2024

1. Introduction: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s New Musical Announcement

Mickey Jo kicks off the episode with exuberance, announcing Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest venture into musical theatre.

Mickey Jo [00:00]: "Light the beacons, sound the trumpets... Andrew Lloyd Webber is writing a new musical. Oh my God."

He sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of Webber’s upcoming projects, positioning himself as a leading voice in theatre criticism.

2. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Recent Endeavors and Partnerships

Mickey Jo provides context on Webber's recent work, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by Cinderella during the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent relocation and renaming to Bad Cinderella on Broadway.

Mickey Jo [00:45]: "Cinderella... had an even more short-lived run than it had in the West End."

He highlights Webber's strategic shift towards focusing on composing rather than the producing side of theatre, thanks to his collaboration with producer Michael Harrison.

Mickey Jo [02:30]: "This allows Andrew to do what he does best, which is to be the creative, to be the composer without having to worry about all of the producing side of things."

3. Insights from Lloyd Webber’s Interview with The Times

The host delves into details from an interview Andrew Lloyd Webber had with The Times, revealing snippets about his forthcoming musical.

Mickey Jo [04:15]: "He told us the littlest bit about his next show... we're going to speculate wildly and see if we can go some of the way towards answering the question, why?"

Webber expresses optimism about stepping back from the business side to reignite his creative spark, fostering a "composer renaissance."

4. Speculations on the New Musical: Vienna, 1900

The podcast examines potential inspirations for the new musical, based on minimal information from the interview. Webber is co-creating with Chris Terrio, known for Argo and Justice League, and the setting is Vienna in 1900.

Mickey Jo [15:20]: "He is scoring a new based on a film that he hopes to open in 2026, which presumably means it's being workshopped very soon."

Mickey Jo analyzes possible film inspirations, ultimately suggesting Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948) as a strong contender.

Mickey Jo [20:45]: "A man named Stefan Brand returns home... it seems like a compelling basis for a Lloyd Webber adaptation."

5. Other Upcoming Projects: Immersive Phantom of the Opera

Webber is rumored to be developing an immersive version of The Phantom of the Opera off-Broadway, blending traditional musical elements with avant-garde staging.

Mickey Jo [12:50]: "I am so intrigued as to how this would begin to work... I'm willing to give it a shot because the Cats. Who thought that Cats was going to work."

This project signals Webber's willingness to innovate within his established frameworks.

6. Theatre Finances and Ticket Pricing Debate

Lloyd Webber shares his perspectives on the financial challenges facing theatre, particularly addressing high ticket prices and dynamic pricing models.

Mickey Jo [27:10]: "Dynamic pricing is racketeering, really. It's completely wrong."

He argues for accessibility, emphasizing that theatre should not be prohibitively expensive, despite the labor-intensive nature of productions.

7. Original Works vs. Jukebox Musicals in the West End

The discussion shifts to the prevalence of jukebox musicals and their impact on the theatre landscape. Webber expresses concern over the dominance of recycled hits overshadowing original compositions.

Mickey Jo [32:40]: "There is a place for jukebox musicals alongside new work... but I don't think they have attained much more supremacy in the West End lately than they've enjoyed for the last decade."

Despite the rise of jukebox musicals, there's an ongoing debate about the need for original storytelling and composition in modern theatre.

8. The Role of Modern Platforms: TikTok and Spotify

Webber touches upon the influence of digital platforms on musical theatre, pondering whether today's composers can achieve the same mainstream success as his earlier works through radio and concept albums.

Mickey Jo [35:50]: "I don't disagree with Andrew... TikTok and Spotify are actually very valuable tools to new musical theatre composers."

The host counters Webber’s concerns by highlighting how platforms like TikTok can help musicals gain viral popularity, citing examples like Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York.

9. Personal Reflections and Future Outlook

Mickey Jo reflects on Webber’s personal challenges, including the loss of his son and the impact it had on his career focus.

Mickey Jo [22:30]: "He was struggling to know what was best to do with the show because the government was completely inconsistent... Now that he has that, perhaps finally we can dare to dream that we are about to experience an Andrew Lloyd Webber scored musical renaissance."

This personal journey underscores Webber's renewed dedication to creativity over business, hinting at a promising future for his musical compositions.

10. Conclusion: Anticipation for Webber’s Renaissance

The episode wraps up with Mickey Jo expressing excitement and cautious optimism about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s next projects, particularly the new musical set in Vienna.

Mickey Jo [40:10]: "Is he going to give us one of his most exciting shows since the 1980s?... I am so intrigued to find out."

He encourages listener engagement through comments and subscriptions, promising to keep the audience updated on developments.

Notable Quotes:

• Mickey Jo [00:00]: "Andrew Lloyd Webber is writing a new musical. Oh my God."
• Mickey Jo [02:30]: "This allows Andrew to do what he does best, which is to be the creative, to be the composer without having to worry about all of the producing side of things."
• Mickey Jo [27:10]: "Dynamic pricing is racketeering, really. It's completely wrong."
• Mickey Jo [35:50]: "TikTok and Spotify are actually very valuable tools to new musical theatre composers."
• Mickey Jo [40:10]: "I am so intrigued to find out."

Key Takeaways:

• New Musical in Development: Andrew Lloyd Webber is collaborating with screenwriter Chris Terrio on a new musical set in Vienna in 1900, targeting a 2026 opening.

• Shift in Focus: Webber is prioritizing his role as a composer over producing, thanks to his partnership with Michael Harrison.

• Innovative Projects: Potential immersive productions, including an innovative take on The Phantom of the Opera, signal Webber’s commitment to evolving theatre experiences.

• Financial Accessibility: Webber advocates against dynamic pricing, emphasizing the need for affordable theatre to maintain accessibility.

• Originality in Theatre: Despite the popularity of jukebox musicals, there is a strong call for original works to reinvigorate the West End and Broadway.

• Embracing Digital Platforms: Modern tools like TikTok and Spotify present new opportunities for musical theatre to reach wider audiences.

• Personal Resilience: Webber’s personal losses and professional challenges have steered him back to his creative roots, potentially heralding a new era of his work.

Stay Connected:

For more updates on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s projects and the latest in West End and Broadway news, subscribe to MickeyJoTheatre’s YouTube channel and follow on other social media platforms.

This summary captures the essence and key discussions from the MickeyJoTheatre podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and theatre enthusiasts alike.