Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#0Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 4:16pm
I'll start:
James Cain's Mildred Pierce.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#1re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 4:18pmGreat novels? Jacqueline Susann's "Valley of the Dolls".
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#2re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 4:20pm
YUP, Beerchild! 
Believe it or not, there was a mini-series version of the novel in 1981 that included some musical numbrs.
But a FULL-BLOWN musical version is a GREAT idea!!!
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#3re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 4:28pmGod, imagine Helen Lawson. Who would you cast?
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#4re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 4:30pm
Hmmm. I dunno.
Glenn Close? Angela Lansbury?
As I see it, the Problem is that it is a relatively small part that CRIES OUT for a major talent.
Any thoughts on this out there?
#5re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 5:46pmJohn Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces. Why it play/movie/musical YET is beyond me, but it has some definite possiblities.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#6re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 5:48pm
VonTussleGirl, tell us MORE please!
Never heard of the Author OR the Book you name.
What's it all about?
#7re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 5:50pmIt's about a fat slob in Lousiana. It's frickin' hilarious.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#8re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 5:52pm
Ooooh, I LOVE artist pieces about fat slobs!!!
Remember Jackie Gleason in "The Honeymooners"?
#9re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 6:01pm
I quote from the back of the book:
"Ignatius J. Reilly is a thirty-year-old, self-proclaimed genius out to reform the entire twentieth century, which doesn't leave him much time for an ordinary nine-to-five job! Then one day Mrs. Reilly pushes her reluctant son out of the nest and into the working world of New Orleans - a decision with unforseeably hilarious results."
Just reading it, opportunities for songs pop out.
Marquise
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/1/04
#10re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 6:04pm
Updated On: 9/18/05 at 06:04 PM
Marquise
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/1/04
#11re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 6:04pm
How about "The Turn of the Screw"?
Updated On: 9/18/05 at 06:04 PM
#12re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 6:47pmI attempted as my senior thesis project 6 years ago to write a musical of 1984. I'm not saying my version would be any good (I don't have music for it, but a full script with lyrics and ideas for the TYPE of music I'd want), but I'm absolutely convinced there's a great musical in that novel.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#13re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 6:50pm
I AGREE, Jason.
1984 would make a WONDERFUL musical--perhaps as a sung-through work?
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#14re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 6:51pmI agree. "1984" is a great idea. Was there ever a musical version of "The Thorn birds"?
#15re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 6:53pmTom Wolfe's BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#16re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 6:55pmI Googled, and see no evidence that a musical version of "The Thorn Birds" has ever been attempted anywhere.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#17re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 7:00pmI've been having dreams about strange stuff like that lately. Maybe it's a sign. Father Ralph, you're destined for the broadway stage.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#18re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 7:05pm
The Bonfire of The Vanities as a MUSICAL?
Evelyn, what a cracker-jack idea!
If the authors remained faithful to the novel, it make make up for that dreadful Brian DePalma film version...
#19re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 7:11pmMy version was semi-sung through. There was some dialogue where I couldn't quite figure out how to do lyrics, but I'd say 80% of it was lyrics.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#20re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 7:13pm
Interesting.
I believe 80% is also the exact ratio of lyrics-to-dialogue in the musical version of SUNSET BLVD.
#21re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 9:43pmThe De Palma film was horrible. I figure a MINISERIES would be best, but given that the novel is really a comedy about '80s Manhattan and has such a colorful cast of characters, it could work as a (simplified) musical.
#22re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 9:56pmTHE GOOD PEOPLE OF NEW YORK by Thisbe Neeson. I think that's her name...
The Grovers Corners Yenta
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/3/04
#23re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 10:39pmThe Grapes of Wrath
#24re: Great Novels That Might Make Interesting Musicals
Posted: 9/18/05 at 10:44pmHas there ever been a musical version of Tom Jones? It could be SO hilarious.
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