Putting together a Broadway show takes so much time and dedication in making it a reality. At the same time, we’ve had some of the best shows on the Great White Way that have become smash hits and the ones that may have flopped but still went on to have a huge “Cult” following. One of those “Cult” following shows was a feel good, beach, tropical themed musical comedy called GOOD VIBRATIONS.
In 2005, NBC‘s Jane Hanson’s New York featured a full 1 hour documentary about the process that went into the making of GOOD VIBRATIONS. In the documentary, you will experience the full behind the scenes process of every move the company makes from rehearsals, moving into the Theatre, tech rehearsals, backstage shenanigans, and all leading up to Opening Night on Broadway. You will get to experience the full reality of what goes into making a Broadway show.
The actual show GOOD VIBRATIONS tells the story of a group of young High School teenagers who embark on a road trip from New England to California. Even though none of them have a car, they take advantage of the unpopular valedictorian girl who has a crush on one of the guys and hell breaks loose. The show is a jukebox musical featuring the hits of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. Yup, the show featured some of their Greatest Hits like FUN FUN FUN, SURF CITY, I GET AROUND, SURFIN’ USA, WHEN I GROW UP TO BE A MAN, HELP ME RHONDA, CALIFORNIA GIRLS, CAROLINE NO, IN YOUR IMAGINATION, and of course GOOD VIBRATIONS.
The cast featured a lineup of rising talents that later have went on to become beloved stars on Broadway, Film, and TV today including…
Sebastian Arcelus (Broadway’s WICKED and Jersey Boys plus TV’s Madam Secretary, and House of Cards) as “Jan”,
Tracee Beazer Barrett as “Wendy”,
David Larsen as “Bobby”,
future Emmy nominee and Broadway favorite Tituss Burgess (Broadway’s The Little Mermaid and TV’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) as “Eddie”,
Kate Reinders (Broadway’s Wicked and Something Rotten plus currently High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) as “Caroline” (yup as in CAROLINE NO),
Broadway favorite Jessica Snow Wilson (The 2004 revival of Little Shop of Horrors and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as “Marcella”,
and Milena Govich as “Rhonda” (yup as in HELP ME RHONDA).
In addition, the Ensemble also featured…
Janet Decal (Broadway’s In The Heights, Wonderland, Prince of Broadway, and currently on tour with The Band’s Visit),
Krysta Rodriguez (Broadway’s original and revival productions of Spring Awakening, The Addams Family, First Date plus TV’s Smash)
and
Sarah Glendening (TV’s As the World Turns and All My Children).
GOOD VIBRATIONS played Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre back in 2004 and ran till 2005 playing 50 previews and 94 regular performances.
Critics panned the production considering it as more of a concert vs. a traditional Broadway show. With the bad reviews and low ticket sales, the show closed right way. Sadly, it did NOT receive any Award nominations even the Tony Awards
.
Who remembers GOOD VIBRATIONS and seeing this documentary? Isn’t it unbelievable to see how much hard work and dedication goes into putting a show on the Great Bright Way?
