Today, it was announced that producers Ken Davenport and Kurt Deutsch have bought the rights to the hit National Lampoon franchise by special arrangement with Warner Brothers to develop a new musical titled Broadway Vacation.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ken-Davenport-And-Kurt-Deutsch-Option-Musical-Rights-To-The-Griswolds-Vacation-Story-20180326
No cast nor creative team has been announced yet.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
I would like the idea more if it were a family that wasn't specifically The Griswolds.
I think it's a hilarious property that has tremendous stage potential.
Too bad Ken Davenport will destroy it all.
Stand-by Joined: 4/14/17
Let's see if it can get further off the ground than Animal House.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
One of my favorite movies is Christmas Vacation, but I can not see even a glimmer of hope that this could ever work.
If one is fine with our country being destroyed they should be a big Davenport fan.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
Too bad. It's a great franchise, but EVERYTHING that Davenport touches, turns to shiite. The reason that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND will lose Best Revival to MY FAIR LADY is the Broadway industry's complete and utter hatred of him. At least Barry and Fran (and even David Stone!) can turn on the charm when they want to --- but Kenny, not so much.
Darn, I thought this was a new thread about verified vacation dates planned for actors in Broadway shows!
JSquared2 said: "Too bad. It's a great franchise, but EVERYTHING that Davenport touches, turns to shiite. The reason that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND will lose Best Revival to MY FAIR LADY is the Broadway industry's complete and utter hatred of him. At least Barry and Fran (and even David Stone!) can turn on the charm when they want to --- but Kenny, not so much."
The last two Broadway productions Ken Davenport was a lead producer on (Spring Awakening and Once on This Island) earned tons of acclaim.
Featured Actor Joined: 3/15/18
I think this has potential to be a fun spoof of tourists/theatre-goers from the perspective of the fish out of water tourist family. Maybe something similar to Drowsy Chaperone that made fun of musicals of that era while also being a love letter to that era.
Can't wait for the scenes where one of the kids gets lost in the M&M store in Times Square and then the parents ruin an interactive performance of Tony & Tina's wedding.
They haven't announced a director / choreographer yet? This has Casey Nicholaw written all over it...
I'd love to see Cheno as Ellen and Andy Karl or Brian D'Arcy James as Clark. And can Jane Krakowski come back as an all-grown-up Vicki???
Depending on how this comes or doesn’t come together, it sounds like it could be great or really bad. I will hope for great.
My family took a European vacation the same summer that European Vacation was released. I will never forget laughing my ass off with my mom and dad in the theater.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
EthelMae said: "Darn, I thought this was a new thread about verified vacation dates planned for actors in Broadway shows!"
That would actually be quite useful.
I don't think much is really off-limits for adaptation or that a talented team couldn't find a good angle but for me this falls under the category of "but why, though?" Nothing about the property is crying out to be musicalized.
JPeterman said: "Depending on how this comes or doesn’t come together, it sounds like it could be great or really bad.
Congrats, you just described every new musical that is Broadway bound!
EthelMae said: "Darn, I thought this was a new thread about verified vacation dates planned for actors in Broadway shows!"
So did I.
I have no desire to see this franchise on stage. Saw about half of the first movie and that was enough for me.
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