Bedknobs and Broomsticks- Page 2
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#25Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 6:18amCandydog, I believe Bars was refering to my post and, umm lack of reading, not yours :P
#26Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 7:29am
No, I was talking about candydog2's post, which he added right after mine:
"And who says the highlights of the movie couldn't be done on stage?"
Since he didn't reference any post further up (nor do I see anybody else even mentioning the production aspects of doing this movie-on-stage), it looks like he's commenting on mine.
EDIT: Actually, he's definitely commenting on mine. I'm the only one who discussed the "highlights of the movie on stage" in a previous post, and it's the one right before his. He says he's not, but there's no other comment he could be referencing and no other reason for him to say that. I call bullsh*t.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
CowardlyLyon
Swing Joined: 5/10/11
#27Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 1:39pm
This is one of my favorite childhood movies. And as far as the structure of musical theatre is concerned, I think the songs from the movie serve the plot much better than the generic, trashy, episodic nonsense that most Disney shows rely upon.
"The Age of Not Believing" -perfect family type morals
"Portabello Road" -perfect dance breakout flair!
"Substitutiary Locomotion" -perfect chance for Disney magic sets!
And the animals- very Lion King.
As a matter of fact, it could Parody the terribly rigid structure that has overtaken our musicals. And perhaps the fourposter bed could fly out over the audience, and the four of them can get stranded hanging out there during previews.
candydog2
Featured Actor Joined: 8/11/07
#28Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 2:09pmActually, above your post best12bars, Ericmontreal22 clearly says that the highlights of the movie would not translate well to the stage.
#29Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 3:23pmI had the records for both this and Pete's Dragon. I didn't have a record player, but my sister did, so when she was gone I would go in her room and pretend I was in the stage versions of the two movies. I was really geeky kid.
#31Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 3:54pmWell, Pete offered the chance to play a lead I guess, so probably that one. And to correct myself a little, the soundtrack for Bedkbobs resurfaced with I was 16 and even then my sisters and I (16, 18, 23) couldn't resist reenacting it using a stupid bedknob off my sisters bed. Yes I know we were too old to playing as such, but you'd have to know us to understand it/
#32Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 4:07pm
And to correct myself a little, the soundtrack for Bedkbobs resurfaced with I was 16 and even then my sisters and I (16, 18, 23) couldn't resist reenacting it using a stupid bedknob off my sisters bed. Yes I know we were too old to playing as such, but you'd have to know us to understand it/
There was a video on youtube three or so years ago of two college-age guys lip synching to and reenacting the song "Eglantine," so I'm thinking you're never too old. At least not at 16.
I would've dated either of those boys in a heartbeat, too.
#33Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 4:27pm
It's be funny if one of them was ChiChi.
Updated On: 7/27/11 at 04:27 PM
#34Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 4:39pmChiChi, did you make that video that captured my heart three years ago?
#35Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 5:57pm
Well, I guess I'm the one with a reading comprehension problem here! I read that a couple of times and didn't see it. So, my apologies for the comment, candydog2.
As far as Pete's Dragon, I could see it standing a better chance of a production on stage, since for most of the story, the dragon is invisible (ala "Harvey"). There could be a few key effects just to grab the audience.
But as far as stories go, Bedknobs is a better story with better music than Pete's Dragon, which seems clearly aimed at small children, IMO.
There are a couple of good songs in Pete's Dragon (Candle on the Water, Brazzle-Dazzle Day), but actually both would be for little kids. I can't see adults paying $200-$400 for a prime ticket, even if they got great reviews.
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#36Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 6:10pm
Given the extraordinary leaps in CG technology onstage (do a YouTube search for "Butterfly on Your Right Shoulder Live in HD"), we're quickly getting to the point where almost anything is possible. As much as I disliked the show, the production of "Wuthering Heights", which used a bank of projectors on an overhead carousel so the "scenery" moved with the actors, is something I wish had been pursued a little more.
Nevertheless, because of these, either film *could* work onstage. Personally, I think it would be fascinating to see a CG dragon interacting with the rest of the cast.
#37Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 6:13pm
The problem with all these "cool" projections on stage is that unless they are used sparingly and (highly) creatively, you might as well just show a film. You're getting further and further away from live theatre.
Then you're just watching a movie projected on panels on the stage ... for $400 a ticket.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#38Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 7:16pmCertainly you want to do it so it's more than just a movie, but it's my guess that it's coming whether anyone likes it or not. Wr've already seen shows that use programmable LCDs to create "scenery curtains", some of the big events have been using CG is not-quite-right but interesting ways (like ELF and the RCMH Christmas show). It's going to be an interesting balancing act, but it's also pretty inevitable.
#39Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 7:23pm
At Universal Studios in Hollywood they have the T2 (Terminator 2) show. It's been there for years, and the sets are projected backgrounds in 3D, complete with glasses, while the stunt performers and "actors" run around it and through it. The screens are about 200 feet wide and wrap around the enormous arena.
It's highly impressive, but it's still a theme-park show. And it's not anything new, either. It was a decade ago.
And it doesn't cost $200-$400 to see it.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#40Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 8:14pm
Well, bear in mind that the Met Opera has been doing this for decades as well, and they *do* charge 200-400. 
#41Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/27/11 at 9:41pm
I still don't really think that either needs to happen. They just don't. I would still pay to see them, but I may be one of the only ones.
And no. I was in the video singing Brazzle Dazzle Day naked though. I'll send it to anyone who wants to see.
candydog2
Featured Actor Joined: 8/11/07
#42Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/28/11 at 6:26am
I doubt Pete's Dragon would ever become a stage show, it's possible of course, but I think Bedknobs and Broomsticks is just far more popular. Of course both movies are overshadowed by Mary Poppins, which is understandable, but if given the chance to stand alone without comparison, they're great movies.
I don't think that Disney would open Bedknobs and Broomsticks on Broadway while Mary Poppins is open though, the two are just far too similar. Remember that they closed Beauty and the Beast to make way for the Little Mermaid for this reason.
Any argument about the translation to stage of some of the more "magical" scenes in the movie could have been made about Mary Poppins though, and with a little ingenuity that worked just fine. The story as we know it on film would certainly not make it to the stage intact but that's understandable.
I always thought that if the bed flew in the same way that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was made to fly, and coloured lights and projections were used on the stage behind it, it would make for a great transportation sequence, sort of like the colourful travelling sequences in the film.
As for the big battle scene, the problem here would not be, in my opinion, the magical army, those sorts of effects must surely have been done on stage before. The problem would be portraying a battle scene of that size on stage.
However, there is a way around this also. Remember in Beauty and the Beast where the villagers invade the castle? Rather than a big battle on stage, the fight is almost episodic, with each villager/group of villagers facing an object/group of objects one at a time on stage.
#43Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/28/11 at 9:12am
Anything you want can happen on a stage as long as you can afford to do it.
To have a flying bed, empty soldiers uniforms floating through the air, a ballroom under the sea, a soccer game with animals, and a flying witch on a broom, etc., would cost a fortune if you presented them in such literal terms. Of course it can be done, though.
But Disney would never make their money back.
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candydog2
Featured Actor Joined: 8/11/07
#44Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/28/11 at 9:21am
True best12bars, they probably wouldn't, unless the musical was such a major success that it ran for years, which is quite a gamble seeing as it's one of Disney's less popular properties.
On a side note, I think if it ever went to the stage, the soccer match would be one of the first things to be cut and replaced with something else. Actually, the entire concept of the island of Naboombu would probably be reimagined, if not replaced by an alternate story arc entirely.
#45Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/28/11 at 9:28am
I would think even the weekly costs of running a production with all the bells and whistles would make it cost-prohibitive. Even with a sold-out audience each night.
There's a reason why these steroidal shows play arenas in large cities for limited runs. They can pack in 5,000 to 10,000 people per performance. That makes it worth the investment. But a Broadway house, even at capacity, just isn't big enough.
I agree with you about Naboombu. But I personally am tired of these "literal transfers" of films on stage. That's what was so refreshing about The Lion King. It asked audiences to use their imaginations, and offered some of the most imaginative sets, costumes, effects, and staging I have ever seen on any stage.
Too bad it was a one-off. They haven't done anything remotely close to that since.
And "Aladdin" looks like another ice show in the making. Yawn.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#46Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/28/11 at 9:32am
Story has it that when Taymor presented her idea, everyone at Disney nodded their heads and then, when the meeting was over, put together a short list of more traditional directors just in case this didnt work out to their specifications.
I dont know that that's true, but it certainly wouldnt surprise me.
#47Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/28/11 at 9:39am
It's more or less true. But Tom Schumacher and Peter Schneider fought hard for Taymor. (Tom had worked with her at the Taper, and he's the one who got her involved.) They said she was the only one who could pull it off.
I have to agree with them. Now at least we have one Disney musical that doesn't look like an ice show on stage.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#48Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/28/11 at 10:47am
I disagree about Bedknobs having better music than Pete's Dragon. With the exception of "Age of not Believing", "Beautiful Briny", and "Portobello Road", the music is kind of....eh. "Eglentine" and "Substituiary Locomotion" are both just very repetitive..catchy, but repetitive. And I suppose they would add back in the cut songs which would help.
Practically every number in Pete's Dragon is great! It think this has great potential for a stage show...with opportunities for big dance numbers - Lampie's bar scene, ("I swear I saw a dragon") and "There's room for everyone".
All in all - I'd rather see either of these made into stage shows than another animated disney classic.
#49Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Posted: 7/28/11 at 10:47amPerhaps not the entire island sequence, but maybe just the soccer match could be removed. Isn't there a song that was supposed to go there where they steal the necklace from the king? It was replaced by the match, right?
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