Karen Carpenter

[KylePKJP]

Posted: 6/22/12 at 10:40pm

I know a lot of people are beyond tired of music catalogues being turned into musicals, but I can't help this feeling that a Karen Carpenter story - if done right - would be incredible.

Anybody else ever think along the same lines, or has there ever been an attempt to do one in the past? I know Richard Carpenter can be less than co-operative about licencing the Carpenters catalogue.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/22/12 at 11:19pm

I love Karen but I do feel the Carpenters catalog is very limited in style and sound . A show comprised of just their work would be very monotone and maudlin. Plus they are very dated and I don't think it would appeal to a large audience.

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/22/12 at 11:34pm

Who says a jukebox musical has to honor the "style and sound" of the original recordings? Especially if you're not limiting the score to songs written just for The Carpenters. Karen's songs ran the gamut of emotion and tempo. How well do you really know the catalog, Betty? A lot of the songs have good lyrics and even provide some narrative psychological profiles. There are songs that talk about alien contact as well as songs that discuss our need for nostalgia. A song about a strange young woman with the strange name of "Druscilla Penny" (a possible protagonist?) They're certainly not all "Rainy Days and Mondays". Adjust the songs, use different time signatures and/or arrangements. There is no reason they have to sound mid 70's.

[xoffender45]

Posted: 6/22/12 at 11:49pm

I LOVE the Carpenters. But why make it a Karen Carpenter story? Like Owen mentions, their song list is all over the place. Some sort of odd story would work with these songs strung together. Mr. Guder, Jambalaya (On The Bayou), Hurting Each Other, Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft... All totally bizarre songs that would make a pretty decent story.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 1:05am

I just don't see it working, but in the right hands you never know. I know a fair amount about the Carpenters and I just don't see them having the appeal to bring people in. Plus I don't think Richarf would want people changing his arrangements which I would view as very important to updating.

[rougeduck]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 2:10am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfZUrcxW-g0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnqjCebSv2k

The songs of the Carpenters were used in a lovely musical version of Anne Frank performed at Orlando Fringe!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 2:17am

Jesus Christ.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 2:25am

Superstar?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 2:27am

Do you think you're what they say you are?

[Playbilly]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 7:32am

In the manner of "The Hours" where you tell Karen's story and a contemporary tale. I'd see that. I may just go buy the rights now. Oh. Richard.

[KylePKJP]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 8:40am

I see what some of you are saying. The reason I made the thread was, during a bout of insomnia the other night, I came across the 1989 TV movie The Karen Carpenter Story with Cynthia Gibb on YouTube. For an 80's TV movie it was pretty good and held up.

What caught me what that the music that was used wasn't some of their more "odd" choices on the catalogue. It was mostly their hits, but their placement in the story really punctuated Karen's highs and lows. I thought to myself "If done right (whatever that really means) this could be a good stage show."

Having Mr. Guder or Bless the Beasts and the Children wouldn't serve the story. But a Karen, alone on stage, with the haunting Rainy Days and Mondays in the midst of her struggles with her Mom or illness... or even foreshadowing them... would get me in the gut. Not to mention the A Song For You reprise.

I know it's never going to happen - I'm dreaming - but I still think, with the right selections from the catalogue, you could have a nice off-Broadway show.

Updated On: 6/23/12 at 08:40 AM

[Dave19]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 8:47am

I love the idea,

Many of the songs are in a "narrative way" and that creates endless possibilities.

"Together we've been happy, I have very few regrets. The ordinary problems have not been hard to face, but lately little changes have been slowly taking place. You're always finding something is wrong in what I do, but you can't rearrange my life because it pleases you....."

I also love the way the songs are about "singing their thoughts", like in "rainy days and mondays".

It reminds me of the scenes in Disney's Sleeping Beauty, where Aurora is walking in the woods, very calm and singing about her thoughts.

Unfortunately audiences nowadays do not know how to appreciate that anymore. They have the attentionspan of a goldfish so they get bored without a fart joke ruining every scene....

Updated On: 6/23/12 at 08:47 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 8:50am

Yes, Once and Porgy and Bess are just full of fart jokes. Newsies, too. And Memphis. And Evita. And Clybourne Park. And Death of a Salesman. If it weren't for all their fart jokes, those definitely wouldn't have found an audience.

I see your point.

[KylePKJP]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 8:50am

Dave19... Good point!

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 9:01am

I love the song "Superstar" by the Carpenters. It's a beautiful, sad song.

That said, if there's room for a Carole King musical, why not a Karen Carpenter one? She had a very tragic life. I think her story is actually all too familiar. It would be worth exploring with the right team. And you need someone very special to play Karen Carpenter-she was a very unique talent. (Her voice was unique and her ability to put all that emotion behind it was really special.)

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 9:58am

Dreaming - Just curious how her eating disorder and physical change could be potrayed on stage. It is easier to handle that type of weight loss on film than in person. I can't imagine play being done without aneorexia being a main part of the show.

[That Groovy Guy]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 10:13am

They could jazz it up a bit with some of her disco songs...My Body Keeps Changing My Mind etc. (Kind of an ironic song title) :o(

[nygrl232]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 10:21am

Some type of stage show about the Carpenters will happen at some point, I'll bet. It will be a challenge making the music sound both timeless and specific to the era, and portraying the psychology of fame, family, scrutiny on women in the business, etc. But it'll happen.

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 10:53am

yankeefan-I think that if they can do all the special effects they can do nowadays I'd think they might be able to portray her weight loss. I think it's actually an important story in a way for our current times-so many young girls and women battle self-image issues. The media continues to send bad messages about weight loss and being thin.

An idea would be using costumes and makeup so the actress playing the role would not do bodily harm to herself in the making of this. I do think it's a tall order, but there are costume designers and makeup artists who can do a great deal now.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 12:28pm

dreaming - I have lived first hand with someone battling eating disorder so I agree it would be a important story to tell. Thanks for your input on how it could be done on stage.

[HistoryBoy2]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 12:59pm

A Carpenters musical starring Lisa Brescia has been a dream of mine for a long time. SHOTGUN.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 1:34pm

I would actually like to see Todd Hayne's Barbie version made into at least an off-broadway musical. A lot of people think the movie was banned from distribution because of Mattel but the music was never cleared, I wonder if that would still be an issue. It's perfect for the New World Stages.

That Anne Frank thing is INSANITY. I love that "Rainy Days and Mondays" are what's "gettin' her down."

[Broadway Baby8]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 2:03pm

She had such a unique voice (and was a pretty good drummer, too)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlr-gS1VhWY&feature=related

[nygrl232]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 2:39pm

That 1989 movie used Karen's actual clothing for costumes. Which means they kept her stuff in storage or something.

After her death, Karen's dad often sat in the living room listening to his daughter's albums. :{ Complicated family, but maybe utterly ordinary as well.

[missthemountains]

Posted: 6/23/12 at 3:51pm

It's been done