Grumpy Old Men (musical)

Grumpy Old Men: The Musical is a stage musical with book by Dan Remmes songs composed by Neil Berg and lyrics by Nick Meglin. The music was orchestrated by Emmy- and Tony-winning orchestrator/composer Larry Hochman with additional orchestrations by Phil Reno. It is based on the 1993 Warner Bros. film Grumpy Old Men by Mark Steven Johnson which starred Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret. It tells the story of two childhood friends, John Gustafson and Max Goldman, now aging neighbors. An old grudge resurfaces when a mysterious woman moves in across the street.

Grumpy Old Men: The Musical
MusicNeil Berg
LyricsNick Meglin
BookDan Remmes
BasisWarner Bros. film
Grumpy Old Men
by Mark Steven Johnson

Orchestrations by
Larry Hochman
Additional orchestrations by
Phil Reno

The musical premiered in the United States at the storied Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine in 2018.[1] Its West Coast premiere was in Southern California at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in 2019.[2] Both premiere productions were directed by Matt Lenz and choreographed by Michele Lynch.

Conception

Grumpy Old Men: The Musical was the brainchild of actor/producer Jeff Gardner.[3] With a goal to produce a Broadway musical, he felt the 1993 film Grumpy Old Men—with its midwestern backdrop and rich emotional story—was well-suited to musical adaptation. Gardner envisioned a traditional Golden Age musical with a strong book and old-style score. Gardner earned a limited option from both Warner Bros., the film’s producer, and Mark Steven Johnson, the screenwriter.

To create the music and lyrics, he commissioned Neil Berg, composer of The 12[4] and off-Broadway musical The Prince and the Pauper,[5] and writer and lyricist Nick Meglin, the multi-decade editor of MAD Magazine. Berg and Meglin had previously collaborated on an award-winning musical sequel to A Christmas Carol entitled Tim and Scrooge.[6] For the book, Gardner turned to actor and playwright Dan Remmes, best known for his award-winning romantic comedies includingThree Tables.[7] Gardner had previously worked with Remmes as producer of his play, Night Out, at the Theater in Old Town, San Diego.

Director Glenn Casale was attached to direct.[8] David Holcenberg served as the original music supervisor.

Development

An unpublicized table read of the first draft took place in North Hollywood, Los Angeles in 2007. It featured George Hearn and Len Cariou in roles of John and Max, Adrienne Barbeau as Ariel, Charles Durning as Grandpa, Garrett Morris as Chuck, Vicki Lewis as IRS agent Snyder (in a gender reversal from the movie) and Carol Kane in the role of Punky, a new character Remmes created specifically for the musical.

Subsequent invitation-only industry readings in New York City featured many of the same actors as the Hollywood table read[9] in addition to (in various combinations) F. Murray Abraham, Christopher Lloyd, John Schuck, Marilu Henner, Ken Page and Joshua Malina.[10][11]

World premiere

In 2011, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg, Canada offered to provide a world premiere mainstage production.[12] The season slot available conflicted with the schedule of director Glenn Casale. Producer Gardner opted to seize the opportunity and proceed without Casale.

Director Bill Castellino was chosen to step in. Elizabeth Baird served as musical director. John MacInnis choreographed. Budget constraints required contractual and creative concessions from all three writers. It also prevented composer Neil Berg and lyricist Nick Meglin from attending rehearsals. Book-writer Dan Remmes was financed to attend a portion of rehearsals.

Castellino applied his own vision to the expedited production, which starred John Rubinstein and John Schuck as John and Max, respectively. (Schuck had previously portrayed Grandpa in developmental readings.) Arial was portrayed by Susan Anton with Ken Page as Chuck. The score was orchestrated by Larry Hochman. The supporting roles were cast from a pool of Canadian actors, largely Toronto-based. Without Berg or Meglin present, and with Remmes on site only part of the time, the show was hastily modified to accommodate the large stage, new cast and replaced director.[13]

The limited engagement ran from October 13 to November 5, 2011.[14]

6-year dormancy

Following the Canadian production, the producers were drained of development money. The project was indefinitely shelved. Contract options with the writers were not renewed.

Remmes, Berg and Meglin were left in sole legal possession of their script, score and lyrics, which were unmarketable without the subsidiary rights from the 1993 film—contracts that had also expired.

New life

In 2017, six years after the contracts expired, composer Berg—a producer in his own right[15]—yearned to resurrect the show. Partnering with co-writers Remmes and Meglin, they obtained new limited agreements direct from film producer Warner Bros. and screenwriter Johnson.

Minus the constraints of producers and investors, the writing team reconfigured the script, score and lyrics and financed an invitation-only industry reading of the reworked show in New York City.[16] The readings were directed by Nick Corley and music directed by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett. It featured a new cast of Broadway actors, including Lee Wilkof as Max, John Hillner as John, Luba Mason as Ariel and Didi Conn as Punky.

Worldwide licensing and U.S. premieres

Licensing

Following the success of the new industry reading, Berg, Remmes and Meglin, along with partners Warner Bros. and screenwriter Johnson, agreed to license the show to Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW)[17] whose other properties include Jersey Boys, Grease, The Addams Family, Spamalot and The Prom among others.[18]

East Coast premiere

TRW chose Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit, Maine to premiere the reworked show in the United States.[19] Matt Lenz directed the Ogunquit production with musical direction by Phil Reno and choreography by Michele Lynch.

Mark Jacoby and Ed Dixon were cast as John and Max respectively. Leslie Stevens portrayed the role Ariel while Doug Eskew was cast as Chuck. Brenda Braxton portrayed Snyder, Hal Linden was cast as Grandpa and Ogunquit-favorite Sally Struthers portrayed the role of Punky.

The sold-out run ran from August 8 to September 1, 2018.[19]

West Coast premiere

In 2019, the show premiered on the west coast of the United States at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in southern California, produced by McCoy Rigby Entertainment. Lenz and Lynch returned as director and choreographer respectively with music direction by Benet Braun.[20]

Reprising their roles from Ogunquit were Mark Jacoby, Leslie Stevens and Hal Linden. Ken Page reprised the role of Chuck from his performance in Winnipeg. Gregory North took over the role of Max and Cathy Rigby played the role of Punky.

The production ran from September 20 to October 13, 2019.[20]

Critical response

Critical response to the two United States east- and west-coast premieres was largely positive.

East Coast reaction

To the Ogunquit production, Broadway World wrote “Grumpy Old Men the Musical hits the mark right from the start; there's no shortcomings here. With a well written fun script, laced with comic one liners, loveable characters, and a lighthearted musical score, Grumpy Old Men exceeded all my expectations … Everything works extraordinarily well in this premiere production. The story is fun and the characters lively, engaging, and memorable … It has every element of a solid musical that could easily become a favorite of theaters everywhere.”[21]

The Journal Tribune lauded a “cracker-barrel book by Dan Remmes … the musical numbers are creatively coiffed to fit the template of the fast-moving production … sometimes touching, sometimes raucous, all times enticing.”[22] The Portsmouth Herald wrote “Book writer Dan Remmes, along with late lyricist Nick Meglin of MAD Magazine, have crafted a timeless piece of work.”[23] The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE Awards) called it an “entertaining inspiration.”[24]

The Theater Mirror (New England Theater Guide) called it “a slap-happy feast.”[25] and the Portland Press Herald labeled it "An extremely funny, warm-hearted romance."[26] The Boston Post-Gazette proclaimed, "The book is great, the score is outstanding … I would be very surprised if this production does not move on to Broadway."[27]

West Coast reaction

Of the west coast production, Hollywood Progressive wrote “Grumpy’s upbeat music is in the Broadway musical tradition of hits such as, say, The Pajama Game … unexpectedly heartwarming, moving and at all times, highly enjoyable.”[28] The Los Angeles Times demurred, suggesting the result was "a considerable loss of the movie's warmth" while acknowledging it "didn't seem to faze the opening-night audience, which tittered at each scandalous line. The score—a slick Broadway sound echoing pop styles from the 1940s through the '80s—also kept the room energized.”[29] Broadway World Los Angeles wrote that “Neil Berg and Nick Meglin have written some very pretty songs … especially riveting are “I Like the Way Things Are," “Life is All About Livin”—Grandpa’s song which reminded me of Grandma’s song from Pippin—“An Angel” and “Family or Friend.” And “Dan Remmes’ book keeps the humor at a high level.”[30]

StageScene L.A. proclaimed “Book writer Dan Remmes’ smartest move is in taking the local citizenry and giving them names, occupations and personalities brought to vibrant life … Add to this composer Neil Berg and lyricist Nick Meglin’s bouncy score … it’s a formula that’s worked before and works again here like a finely-tuned instrument … Grumpy Old Men The Musical has exactly what it takes to become a regional theater favorite.”[31] The Whittier Daily News wrote, "When you leave the show, you're likely to want to reach out to someone who means something to you, and let them know that they do."[32] The Show Report wrote, "This grumpy hurrah remains natural and poignant. Much of that credit significantly belongs to scripter Dan Remmes. His compassion in his book for these now well-known characters eschews real sentimentality and provides a certain dignity even amid the ribald banter and utter puerility of the pension-age adolescents … a guilty pleasure of a musical!"[33] and Bucking Trends called it "A highly entertaining, life-affirming, feel-good fiesta of a new show."[34]

Regional productions

In 2019, TRW classified the show as a Premier Title and made licensing available for regional and international productions.[35]

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References
  1. Vine, Hannah. "First Look at Grumpy Old Men Musical at the Ogunquit Playhouse", Playbill, August 16, 2018
  2. Hetrick, Adam "West Coast Premiere of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, Starring Hal Linden, Ken Page, and Cathy Rigby, Begins at La Mirada", Playbill, September 20, 2019
  3. Simonson, Robert. "Producer Intends to Bring Musical of Grumpy Old Men to Broadway", Playbill, July 8, 2005
  4. BWW News Desk. "Denver Center's World Premiere of THE 12 Begins Tonight", Broadway World, March 27, 2015
  5. Van Gelder, Lawrence. "Tuneful and Faithful to Twain's Tale", The New York Times, July 2, 2002
  6. BWW News Desk. "Meet the Stars of 'Time and Scrooge' at Westchester Broadway Theatre", Broadway World, November 23, 2015
  7. "Three Tables by Dan Remmes", Samuel French Publishing
  8. Pincus-Roth, Zachary. "Glenn Casale Directing Grumpy Old Men Musical", Playbill, February 28, 2007
  9. Gans, Andrew "Staged Readings of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical Set for November", Playbill, September 28, 2007
  10. "Photo Flash: 'Grumpy Old Men The Musical' Reading Cast", Broadway World, November 7, 2007
  11. Jones, Kenneth. "Abraham, Hearn, Schuck, Henner, Kane, Malina, Ragusa Will Sing Grumpy Old Men", Playbill, September 29, 2008
  12. Norman, Leif. "Grumpy Old Men: The Musical Gets World Premiere", The Globe and Mail, Winnipeg, October 14, 2011; Updated May 3, 2018
  13. Gioia, Michael. "A Look Inside the World Premiere of Grumpy Old Men in Canada", Playbill, October 10, 2011
  14. BWW News Desk. "Grumpy Old Men: The Musical Opens in Winnipeg", Broadway World, October 7, 2011
  15. "Neil Berg Productions and Reviews"
  16. Danish, Peter. "Grumpy Old Men The Musical to Receive Industry Reading in NYC", Broadway World, June 14, 2017
  17. Theatrical Rights Worldwide: Grumpy Old Men: The Musical
  18. "Theatrical Rights Worldwide: Shows"
  19. Vine, Hannah. "First Look at Grumpy Old Men Musical at the Ogunquit Playhouse", Playbill, August 16, 2018
  20. Hetrick, Adam. "West Coast Premiere of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, Starring Hal Linden, Ken Page and Cathy Rigby, Begins at La Mirada", Playbill, September 20, 2019
  21. Marois, Dan. "BWW Review: Grumpy Old Men at Ogunquit Playhouse", Broadway World, August 13, 2018
  22. Philippe, Louis. "Grumpy Old Men: The Musical at Ogunquit Playhouse is a hit-larious hometown hoot", Journal Tribune, August 14, 2018
  23. Johnson, Ally. "'Heart,' 'charm' in Grumpy Old Men'", Portsmouth Herald, August 14, 2018
  24. Mulford, Susan (Boston and Beyond). "Boston & Beyond's Susan Mulford reviews Ogunquit Playhouse ' "Grumpy Old Men"", Boston and Beyond, August 14, 2018
  25. Hoban, Michael. "Ogunquit's Gumpy Old Men Delivers Love, Laughs from the Senior Set", The Theater Mirror (New England Theater Guide), August 27, 2018
  26. Feeney, Steve. "Theater Review: Grumpy Old Men at Ogunquit Playhouse", Portland Press Herald, August 13, 2018
  27. Franklin, Bobby. "These Grumpy Old Men Will Put a Smile on Your Face", Boston Post Gazette, August 17, 2018; PDF Archive; page 7
  28. Rampell, Ed. "Curmudgeons and the Meaning of Life", Hollywood Progressive, September 24, 2019
  29. Miller, Daryl H. "We liked the movie Grumpy Old Men. Why did this musical have to change it?", Los Angeles Times, September 27, 2019
  30. Last, First. "Grumpy Old Men is a Fun Night Out", Broadway World, September 23, 2019
  31. Stanley, Steven. "Grumpy Old Men: The Musical", Stage Scene L.A., September 21, 2019
  32. Margolies, Dany. "True to its word, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical gives its audiences a musical about grumpy old men", Whittier Daily News, September 24, 2019
  33. Daniels, Chris. "A Guilty Pleasure of a Musical!", The Show Report, September 25, 2019
  34. Buck, Leo. "'Grump for Joy: Grumpy Old Men—The Musical is a Clever Curmudgeonly Comedy", Bucking Trends, September 26, 2019
  35. "Grumpy Old Men The Musical: Current Productions", Theatrical Rights Worldwide
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