I've been on a bit of a musical kick lately, listening to soundtracks on my iTunes when this thought occurred to me: if I could make a musical, what would it be about? Would it be an original idea? Perhaps based on some historical event or figure? Maybe an adaptation of something?
One idea I have is a musical about Edgar Allan Poe. It would look at his life, examining his writing in terms of the trials of his life and also examine the issue of public perception, considering he was terribly villainized after his death and seen as an evil madman.
That is one idea I have. I'll think and see if I have any others. Now, let me extend the question to you: if you could make a musical, what would it be about?
There was a Calvin and Hobbes musical workshopped a few years back, but Bill Watterson, the creator of the comics, is a devout anti-franchise person, and refused to give the rights to the property to anyone other than his published collections of strips.
A few of them, actually. Poe's life and works are compelling but rarely gel into a working and successful show, for whatever reason. Probably just waiting for the right team...
"There was a Calvin and Hobbes musical workshopped a few years back, but Bill Watterson, the creator of the comics, is a devout anti-franchise person, and refused to give the rights to the property to anyone other than his published collections of strips."
I'm actually glad that he has held his ground on that. As he wrote in one of his forewords, he doesn't want an actor or a doll maker to "settle" the issue of Hobbes's reality (amongst many other reasons he has for being so anti-licensing).
Good point, although I don't think a play would have interfered much with that. From what I had seen, it plays by the established "Hobbes is exactly as real as Calvin needs him to be... and vice versa" rule of Watterson's comics.
That's good that the workshop took that approach. However, as to the suggestion that Neil Patrick Harris play Calvin I would say absolutely not to that. I would not want to see an adult play Calvin. Calvin needs an underlying innocence that I don't think any adult could actually bring to the role.
As for ideas of my own, I wish I was more adept at writing music as I would be working on a musical version of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. I'm aware that there is a version floating around out there, but from what I've heard it seemed to take a more campy, wink to the audience approach. The movie already had its own element of 80s excess and I don't think it needs an extra layer of camp thrown on top of that. But the structure of the movie definitely lends itself to becoming a musical. A good futuristic prologue with Rufus sending us into an Overture that would transition back to the 1980s and introduce Bill and Ted, an "I Want" duet for Bill and Ted as they learn that Ted is being sent away to military school, and, well, I don't want to give all my thoughts and ideas away.
In the late 1990s, I saw a film on Turner Classic Movies called "The Catered Affair" starring Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine and Debbie Reynolds and thought to myself this could probably make a good musical. Boy, was I proven wrong.
AEA, terrific point. This is why I'll never be a director. XD
Anyway, back to the topic. I would love to see Rush's album, 2112 adapted for the stage. However, I am well aware that most people would think it's an awful idea. In fact, the band themselves probably wouldn't like the idea either. And for all I know someone has already tried this and failed.
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES (Lin Manuel Miranda composing; Lindsey Mendez leading) MONSOON WEDDING (AR Rahman composing) MISS PITTEGREW LIVES FOR A DAY MRS DOUBTFIRE (Harvey Fierstein, Shaiman & Wittman; Norbert Leo Butz as Doubtfire)
I know that there are already a few out there, but I would really love to write a musical about Janis Joplin. I think it could be fantastic is approached correctly.
^^^^I think Mark Rydell and Bette Midler covered that territory as well as it is going to be covered. She sings great blues; she dies. What's the story?
The Other Boleyn Girl or a musical about the Boleyn Sisters and King Henry
Believe it or not, that territory (without the focus on Mary Boleyn) was covered by Richard Rodgers and Sheldon Harnick in REX, in 1976. The cast included Glenn Close, Penny Fuller, Valarie Mahaffey and Nichol Williamson.
***
BTW, I don't mind discussing Stephen King works on the other thread because I'm not apt to ever be able to afford the rights to one of King's hits. But as a rule, kids, if you have a great idea for a musical, keep it to yourself until you have the rights and are further along in developing the project.
Mrs. Doubtfire Hocus Pocus with Carolee Carmello and Mary Testa A musical based on the life of Patsy Cline. The final scene would be her leaving to board a plane. An Amy Winehouse biopic.
Have we really reached a point where when BWW.COM posters are asked what would make a good musical, more than half immediately think of someone whose catalogue hasn't yet been exploited?
Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse. No doubt Edit Piaf and Kurt Cobain will be along shortly.
I realize jukebox musicals will always be with us, but let's be clear: there was one, only one, good one, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', and that was almost a half-century ago.
It saddens me that so many people immediately think of biographies with ready-made musical catalogues when they think "new musical". In fact, those aren't "new musicals"; they are revues of old material.
I still think the Cher song book should be used for a musical called "Dark Lady". Act one is about a girl who was "born in the wagon of a traveling show and her momma had to dance for the money they'd throw." And Act 2 we see that she has risen to become "the fortune queen of New Orleans".
I currently have about 3 different concepts and synopsis' for original musicals. If I get further along, I may share. But, people, come on now. Original Musicals need a come back! Not biographies and musicals based on movies!
Bea Arthur Nude Sells For Nearly $2 Million At Auction
Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF & More!
John Bantay Talks to Richard Jay-Alexander About Musical Mondays Farewell
STAGE TUBE: MATILDA Cast Performs on The View!
CHUCK Star Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez Set to Lead FIRST DATE
Photo Flash: First Look - Kelly Rowland & Paulina Rubio on THE X FACTOR!
VIDEO: First Trailer for Joseph Gordon-Levitt's DON JON
Gwyneth Paltrow Returns as the Face of Hugo Boss' Latest Scent
VAMPIRE WEEKEND Tops Chart with Second No. 1 Album
iWatch Update: Apple's Wearable iOS Device Coming in 2014?
BWW Blog: Leah Edwards - Practice. Perform. Repeat
BWW Reviews: Pauline Koner, American Original
Regional Orchestra of the Week: Reno Philharmonic, NV
joined:6/29/12
Posted: 6/29/12 at 08:59pm