Arsenic and Old Lace--The perfect source for a musical

[beacon1]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:13pm

I saw this on TV this weekend and enjoyed it yet again.

Now I wonder, why on earth hasn't this ever been a musical.

--A duet by the Two Aunts about their Lonely Gentlemen Callers

--Mortimer singing about embracing the married life

--Jonathon and the Doctor singing about their sinister plan.

--The policeman reading his play (while Mortimer tries to signal there's a problem.)

--A song about bodies appearing and reappearing.

--Uncle Teddy and the Panama Canal and the Yellow Fever victims.

--The staff from Happydale coming to cart folks off.

I think it would be grand...

[harris007]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:15pm

I got to disagree,Someone thought the man who came to dinner would eb a good musical. BAD IDEA .It's a tight lil show, that doesnt need musical numbers

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:16pm

There have been attempts at musicicaliztion of this wonderful play, but none successful (so far).

[beacon1]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:19pm

Margo, I value your opinion...do you think it has possibilities?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:30pm

Hmmmmm ..... I guess it's possible, but it's such a perfectly constructed small play that I wonder whether music could possibly add anything to it. I don't think expanding it into a musical would make it better, but hey who knows?

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:32pm

The number one rule in adapting something to a musical.

Does the story sing, and, by song, is the story made better?

"Is the story made better?" is the most crucial part.

[beacon1]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:33pm

I just saw so much in my mind's eye...wish I were a composer, lyricist... :o)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:42pm

After playing Mortimer, I dont think the character would just bust into song. That's just my opinion though.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:45pm

But who would have thought Lee Harvey Oswald, a canibilistic barber, Commodore Matthew Perry or LRRH's wolf could so easily burst into song?

You never know what will work until you try.

Updated On: 12/13/04 at 10:45 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:47pm

I think Alice & Emily should play the aunts. And they'll be the right age by the time this one gets the musical treatment.

[beacon1]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 10:54pm

Exactly, SticktoPriest...I think Mortimer's excitement at getting married...and then his confusion about his aunts, etc would be very "doable" as musical numbers.

The movie is so funny...but there are some dark parts.

I wonder who would be a good Jonathon...or Dr. Einstein...

[ShineOn]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 11:18pm

Can I play Elaine... or whatever her name is, Goth? Priscilla Lane, the actress in the movie, is my cousin... that's gotta count for SOMETHING, right? I look like her, too! :)

[beacon1]

Posted: 12/13/04 at 11:25pm

Who do you want for Mortimer, then?
(Everyone knows my usual vote!)