(Images courtesy of BBC.co.uk, ConcordPlayers.org)
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Reality shows have definitely been a large part of television for the past decade or so.
We’ve seen shows about all types of things: romance, sports, taking extreme risks, and of course, the arts.
In my first post on this blog I spoke about the NBC reality show “You’re the One That I Want,” the reality show that found the newest Sandy and Danny in the current revival of “Grease.”
Well let me tell you , the “finding-a-musical theatre-star-through-TV” thing has become VERY popular… in the UK.
In the past two years alone, BBC1 has produced two shows involving find a star for their West End shows: “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” for “The Sound of Music” and “Any Dream Will Do” for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Well this year, according to Playbill, they’re back at it AGAIN, so hey, they must be doing something right hm?! =)
“I’d Do Anything” is a classic song from the Lionel Bart musical “Oliver!” and is also the title of this seasons’ West End star search! It aired last night on BBC1. The show will be looking for women and young boys to fill the leading roles of Nancy and Oliver. This actually sounds exciting!
I personally love all of the Broadway shows I’ve seen that have been brought to Reality TV… “The Sound of Music” and “Grease” being definitely my top 2 favorites! But again I must wonder about how these shows could possibly maintain the strength and power Broadway has. I haven’t seen the shows in the UK, but after watching a few episodes of “You’re the One That I Want,” I don’t feel these people were in a musical theatre competition, but more of a pop singing competition.
The new production will open later this year after the musical “The Lord of the Rings” closes.
And like any of these competitions there HAS to be judges- well they’ve brought in the bigwigs: famous musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Barrowman (TV star of UK show “Torchwood”), Broadway and West End star Denise van Outen and Barry Humphries (aka Dame Edna).
Playbill also notes that 40 girls have already been chosen for the show through an open call, and 12 young boys will be opting for the 3 spots available for the title role.
If you’re in the UK and would like to check this show out, it airs on BBC1 on Saturday nights at 7:30pm!
If you’d like to have a refresher on who the character Nancy is in the play, here’s Ruthie Henshall singing Nancy’s signature song: “As Long As He Needs Me.”
