Animal House drops Barenaked Ladies

Band ‘disappointed’ Broadway didn’t work out

TORONTO The Barenaked Ladies say a lack of time is behind their split with the upcoming Broadway musical Animal House.

Executive producer Matty Simmons said Thursday the songs the Canadian pop group created for the stage version of the 1978 comedy film “just didn’t work.”

And he said Dirty Rotten Scoundrels composer David Yazbek took over the music and lyrics a few months ago.

Ladies frontman Ed Robertson said Friday the band is “disappointed that things didn’t work out” between them and the show.

He says they worked hard on the songs “but ultimately couldn’t give any more time to the project,” noting they had a record and a tour to work on.

“Sadly, Broadway had to take a back seat for longer than they were willing to wait,” Robertson said, adding the band wishes the production well with the project.

Simmons said a first draft of the show’s book, by Michael Mitnick, was also sent back to Mitnick for an overhaul.

The Broadway show is based on the John Landis comedy starring John Belushi about a rowdy frat house of misfits. Simmons expects it to be ready in late 2014.

Meanwhile, the film is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a tribute at Toronto’s TIFF Bell Lightbox on July 18.

Simmons, along with director Landis, Canadian producer Ivan Reitman and cast members Peter Riegert, Stephen Furst and Martha Smith, are among those attending.

The 86-year-old Simmons, who co-founded National Lampoon, said the book rewrites and musical woes were partly to blame for the delayed debut. “I mean, it just wasn’t something we liked,” Simmons said of the original score.

“We wanted music that would fit the story and the nature of the story and the raucousness of the story. The movie has a personality and the music had to suit that, you know?

“And it had to be good. I mean, I’m very big on music where, when you walk out of the theatre, you remember the music. Most musicals nowadays you don’t (remember the music). Years ago, when Rodgers & Hammerstein and (Irving) Berlin and people like that were writing music on Broadway, you walk out, you remember eight songs. Now you’re lucky if you remember one.”