Books to Musicals, what do you guys think? — Page 2

For those who suggested THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, are you referring to the novel about the loner teenager who keeps a diary in which he chronicles his last year in high school and his volatile friendship with a brother and sister team? I'm sorry but I don't see it. Not everything can be musicalized, you know.

---

Updated On: 6/27/06 at 08:57 PM

The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio I think would make a fun show! I just picked up the book after seeing the movie, which I really enjoyed. Very almost theatrical and whimsical. Highly reccomend it if you havent seen it by the way!

---

I saw the said Narnia musical in fall of 2000 when I was in 3rd grade (Lion, Witch, Wardrobe) and this is what I remember: it sure was a hell of a lot better than the movie

I am David/North to Freedom (it might end up like Oliver)
and Tuck Everlasting.

---

I LOVE Edward Gorey. One of my co-workers is in a band called the Doubtful Guest; maybe I should suggest to him he writes a musical? XD

---

For those that mentioned "Fried Green Tomatoes":


http://www.playbill.com/news/article/92854.html

---

"She's Come Undone"
"The Kite Runner"

How about THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB series? I could see that as a children's musical in the same vein as ANNIE.

---

Jay Gatsby is his name. I would love for Jason Robert Brown to tackle this one. Him or Lachiusa. As different as they are I think that the musicalization of this book could go in either direction.

Yes, I meant Perks to be a play. I think the musical would be a little bit awkward considering the peak moments that they would musicalize.

gorey stories WAS a musical on broadway... it played for only 1 show at the Booth Theater, and sadly it wasnt a 1 day thing it just flopped.... it is actually avaliable by Frenches Musical Library.... ive played in the cabaret band for the show

I would love if someone could make a musical out of "The Great Gatsby." I think that any of Fitzgerald's writings would make good material for a musical. In the same vein, I've always felt that Hemingway's "A Movable Feast" (about his days as part of the Lost Generation with the Fitzgeralds, Gertrude Stein, and other American ex-pats in Paris) could really be a good jumping off point for a show recounting that era. How was Wildorn's musical based on the life of Scott and Zelda? Any good? Did he use pastiche or was it more pop ballady like his other shows?

Other novels I think could sing...

- "Chocolat" - the book and film are both filled with loads of atmosphere and eccentic characters... I feel it just needs a strong bookwriter who can flesh out some of the story and make it filled with a bit more action

- "The World According to Garp" - I don't know how one could make it work but this book screams over-the-top farce and musical mayhem

That's all I can really think of at the mo. If someone could take the sprawlimng "Hours" and musicalize it, I think it would be sensational.

Z.

---

She's Come Undone is one of my favorite books - but Wally Lamb's second book I Know This Much is True is amazing (I liked it more). She's Come Undone would be a gripping night of theater if it would be turned into a show - the character of Dolores would have to be played by two actresses - the child actress would have to be simply a genius to play that character. Looking at a woman over 40 years, the show’s music could reflect the changing musical styles of that time period as well.

I highly agree about LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE. I haven't read the book, but the movie is incredible!!! With its mystical, lyrical view of the world, I could totally see this as a musical.

---

An English language musical adaptation of ‘Eréndira’, book and screenplay by Gabriel García Márquez. The story does not have a Hollywood ending, but the characters are very clearly defined with an ingénue being forced into prostitution by her evil grandma and an uninitiated love-interest willing to love her unconditionally. It's an interesting take on Romeo & Juliet.

---