Will Hines’ Million Dollar Idea
October 17th, 2006A Journey Jukebox Musical.
There. That’s it. There’s your million dollars. Does it need any more explanation?—A Broadway Musical centered around Journey songs. Now get crackin’ playwrights—all you have to do is figure out some loose narrative that can successfully weave “Don’t Stop Believin’” into “Wheel in the Sky” into “Open Arms.”
It is hardly a secret that every single person between the ages of 30 and 45 who has even a whiff of an interest in the Broadway Musical is an enormous Journey fan. More than ABBA, more than Billy Joel, certainly more than Frankie Valli —go to any karaoke bar and you will see the “musical theater crowd” wailing away to Journey songs. There is gigantic audience out there in desperate need of a Journey Jukebox Musical willing to pay good money! I don’t even like Journey and I’m tempted to take a crack at it.
October 17th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Just send me a check.
October 17th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Can I start lining up now for opening night tickets? Because I am already that sold on the idea.
October 18th, 2006 at 1:53 am
Fuck that… ready for my “Sailing on the River Styx” jukebox rock opera?
October 18th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
no.
October 20th, 2006 at 11:36 am
I already wrote a jukebox rock opera for The Knack. It’s titled, “My Sharona”. It only has one song in it though.
October 27th, 2006 at 7:49 am
You don’t even like Journey?
October 27th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
no. not really.
November 8th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
Sorry to deliver sad news, but the check will not go to Will. Here is an excerpt from a casting notice for “Rock of Ages”. Auditions started today.
Seeking
Three women and six men for this musical featuring music by Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, et al.
Breakdown:
Drew Dillenbeck: A young (20s), handsome rocker. Has great comedic timing, and a strong rock tenor. Drew desperately wants to be a rocker, but works as a barback at the famous “Rock of Ages” club on the Sunset Strip until his dreams, however unrealistic, come true. Any ethnicity.
Sherrie Christian: A young (20s), pretty Caucasian girl who has left her Midwestern family to pursue stardom in Los Angeles. She is innocent, naïve with great comedic timing. Has a strong rock vocal and terrific movement.
Lonny Barnett: A middle-aged guy with very strong comedic timing and a commanding but comically strong rock vocal. Our narrator, he has a slightly unflattering appearance but doesn’t see it. Any ethnicity.
Dennis Dupree: Older (40s). Possibly heavyset. Very strong comedic timing. Runs the famous “Rock of Ages” club on the Sunset Strip. He is caught between a rock and a hard place when German businessmen pressure him to sell his club. Any ethnicity.
Stacee Jaxx / Father: Double role. Stacee Jaxx: A Rock Star. He is middle-aged, Caucasian and very sexy. He is at the top of his game, and just left his very successful metal rock band to venture out on his own. Has very strong comedic timing and a strong rock voice. Arrogant and charming, his life is a merry-go-round of good old sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. This actor will also play Sherrie’s Father.
Justice Charlier / Mother: Double role. Justice is an older (40-50) commanding African-American woman who runs the strip club where Sherrie ends up when the going gets rough. She is sultry, maternal and a sexy madam with strong vocals and belt. This actress will also play Sherrie’s Mother.
Hertz Klinemann: Uptight, older (40-60) German businessman who is looking to take over the Sunset Strip. He is our villain, and needs to have a commanding presence with strong comedic timing and vocals. He needs to have a good German accent. Caucasian.
Franz Klinemann: Young (20-30s), foppish German who is pressured by his father to work for his business. He is small, shy with good vocals and strong comedic timing.
Regina: A granola girl (20-40s), who has strong comedic timing. She is a hilarious, tree-hugging fighter who will stop at nothing to protect the Sunset Strip. Any ethnicity.