Alex Brightman to Lead BEETLEJUICE in D.C. — Page 3

Brightman seems great for this, but I just hope they don't ruin it with a bunch of musical theater shtick and power ballads. But with Kritzer, I'm def looking into a day trip to DC.

And agree about composing writing high notes for no reason. I saw Anatasia the other night and there's no reason Dimitri needs to belt out this super high note at the end of his big song. The moment doesn't call for it and it seems extraneous.

Once again, we are left with as many questions as answers. Fortunately, we're only two months away, at most, from our first look at the material.

That's good... probably. "Beetlejuice" is one of my favorites, but it's a mostly plotless film that only really works as a series of vignettes and set pieces, many of which were partially improvised. It's almost like a Dali painting or Mark Ryden drawing come to garish life. Veer too close to the film and you'll lose any sense of magic; veer too far away and it's likely that what you'll create misses the highly specific appeal of "Beetlejuice" entirely. (See: "Monkeybone," which tried and failed to capture the specific tone and visual world of the film.)

Will they stick the landing? Here's hoping!

Am I the only one who is hoping they will use Elfman's theme (or at least part of it) as an overture, or for music during scene transitions?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZktSPrGSck

If you're going to adapt Beetlejuice into a musical and not use the Elfman theme or the Banana Boat Song, then what's the point. Countless musicals as of late have discovered this, notably Charlie not using most of the original score in the West End version was a huge mistake.

Judging by this video, I’d think the banana boat song will be included in the show.

wish i were here2 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Judging by this video, I’d think the banana boat song will be included in the show."

Which video?"

Here you go......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_mc31YLjEM

I really hope its its own thing an homage to the movie and imagery of the movie. The movie doesn't really have a plot or not a 2.5 hour plot. I think they'll use some of the Elfman score even if its suggestive. They're biggest struggle will be figuring out how to honor the imagery and score from the movie...but in terms of plot as long as the characters are there that's where they can really expand.

The Banana Boat Song is a folk song- Harry Belafonte didn't write it, nor is his version an immense revision/reimagining. Much like "House of the Rising Sun," it's a song where most uses are viably public domain, or at least not a huge and expensive licensing issue.

I would bet that it's going to be a musical number, and not a lip-sync like in the movie; I'm curious if they'll justify this in the play, as in the movie it makes sense due to the Maitlands being Belafonte fanatics who listen to his records. (Fun fact: in the original, more plot-centric screenplay, the Maitlands were fans of the Ink Spots instead of Belafonte, and the lip-sync scene was to "Sh-Boom."

The Banana Boat scene is the most famous scene from the film, so I think that is probably one thing they can't really subvert. (Even if it is lip-synced, Leslie Kritzer will make a meal out of it).