Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Will Come To Broadway in 2014

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 9/14/12 at 11:21pm

Was talking to Douglas Hodge after Cyrano & was asking if he was excited to play Willy Wonka and he said he couldnt me more excited, upon commenting that I hope it comes to broadway he said "Oh it's already a done deal, part of my contract is a year in the UK and then a year on Broadway"

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/14/12 at 11:49pm

^That doesn't necessarily mean it will happen. Let's see what the critics think first, and if the audiences are willing to accept an alternate musical adaptation. I, personally, don't think I'm ready for Charlie minus "Pure Imagination."

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/14/12 at 11:54pm

Right CATS. Look at the recent "Exorcist" production. Those actors all had contracts for a New York run- Malcolm MacDowell was already in the wings to play Richard Chamberlain's role. The reviews and the money have to be there before anything will transfer.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 12:09am

Aren't they using music from the '71 film.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 12:15am

^Are they now? When it was originally announced there was never any mention of the inclusion of the songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Mr. Bricusse has already expanded the score for the stage in the licensed MTI script.

Updated On: 9/15/12 at 12:15 AM

[darquegk]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 12:21am

The expanded score for MTI is... well, not very good at all. It brings down the songs around it by association, rather than making them look like gems.

Shaiman's arrangements are going to be spectacular- his forte has always been Vegas-era show music, both of the big band and small piano-bar style, and "Cheer Up Charlie" and "Pure Imagination" will sound unbelievably lush once he gets his hands on them.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 12:37am

^I'd gladly take "not very good" songs by Leslie Bricusse over anything Shaiman and Wittman have ever writen.



Updated On: 9/15/12 at 12:37 AM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 3:21am

Amen. I just don't think people are willing to pay big bucks to see a show they already know like this. Unless the design and stuff are spectacular, I'm just not sure. I mean, that movie is a Classic! But I guess if it worked with Wizard of Oz in London, who knows?

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 10:12am

'The Lion King' is a classic movie too.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 10:16am

So wait, I'm confused. Are they using the original Bricusse/Newley
songs with added Shaiman/Wittman material?

I though it was going to be an entirely new score.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 10:33am

I remember reading recently that though originally the plan was to not use anything from the film score they changed their minds and will be keeping some of it. I think it was only going to be "Candyman," "Cheer Up, Charlie," and "Pure Imagination," though I"m not 100% certain on that.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 10:40am

There was a thread a couple weeks back, with an article stating that they would be using some of the films score. Similar to Mary Poppins.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 11:46am

Ah, thanks so much guys.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 1:03pm

They'll need a big theatre as it's going to the Drury Lane which one of the bigger West End theatres, but 2014 is two years away and I imagine one or two of the bigger Broadway theatres will be available by then.

This isn't going to be based on either film versions of the book but I imagine they'll incorporate some elements like they did with Mary Poppins. I look forward to it as it's one of my favourite children's book and visually it'll be stunning.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 2:37pm

I wonder if it will be as lavish as Mary Poppins though? It doesn't seem like the kind of show you can do on a small budget.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 3:12pm

Warner Bros Theatre Ventures and Neal Street are the producers so I imagine it'll be lavish and large scale.

Updated On: 9/15/12 at 03:12 PM

[mikey2573]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 4:30pm

If they are using songs from the movie then they HAVE to include the Oompa-Loompa songs and "I've Got a Golden Ticket". Also, I hope they use the elements of David Seltzer's script that were not in Dahl's book. He added so much meat to that story --the whole Slugworth and Everlasting Gobstoppers, and it all being a "test" at the end, that was ALL Seltzer! And it all lead up to that big scene in Wonka's office at the end; "You GET NOTHING!! Good DAY, sir!"
And then Charlie walks up, "Mr. Wonka", and he puts the Everlasting Gobstopper on his desk.
Well, I know what I'm watching tonight!

[GoshGeeGolly]

Posted: 9/15/12 at 7:17pm

Sounds like a good idea. I'll check it out for sure when it's on.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/16/12 at 8:20am

The "score" to the movie is really only six songs:

The Candy Man
Cheer Up, Charlie
I've Got a Golden Ticket
Pure Imagination
Oompa-Loompa (repeated several times)
I Want It Now

I hope they use them all. I would be sad if they left out "I Want It Now." As for the Oompa-Loompa song, it could use some serious improving, but the "hook" for it could still be incorporated or used for a few bars. Something like that.