Douglas Carter Beane Lovingly Steers "Band Wagon" to Create Broadway-Aimed DANCING IN THE DARK

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 1:10am

The classic 1953 M-G-M movie musical, "The Band Wagon," will have a special new shine on its shoes when it premieres in March 2008 in San Diego as a Broadway-aimed stage musical, Dancing in the Dark.

Librettist Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed, Xanadu) told Playbill.com that the one-time Fred Astaire vehicle — about a washed up movie hoofer returning to the stage — is being dramatically deepened for its new life: Characters are fleshed out; additional songs from the catalog of composer Arthur Schwartz and lyricist Howard Dietz have been added; and the retooled plot is a grand homage to the craft and showbiz savvy of late screenwriter-librettists Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

"The difference between this and Xanadu is total," Beane said. "I went into Xanadu going, 'I really dislike this movie — let me try to make it something wonderful,' but with 'The Band Wagon,' I really revere this movie. It's really a beautiful movie musical. And, yet, because I'm a writer and look at it that way, I see that there are faults in it."

Comden and Green wrote the picture's screenplay, but, said Beane, their studio contract ended before work was finished. As adaptor for Dancing in the Dark, Beane draws on the film's existing screenplay; Comden had sent him a copy before she died.

"The thing that drew me to it was the chance to further something of Comden and Green, and really give them their due because I love them so much," Beane said.

Gary Griffin (The Color Purple) will direct the 1952-set Dancing in the Dark (the title is drawn from the famous song by Dietz and Schwartz), to bow at The Old Globe in San Diego March 4-April 13, 2008. Barry and Fran Weissler plan to shepherd it to a commercial future.

The stars — including those playing the respective Astaire- and Cyd Charisse-created roles of Tony Hunter and ballet dance Gabrielle — have yet to be officially announced, though Tony Award winner Beth Leavel recently said she'll play musical comedy writer Lily Marton (created by Nanette Fabray). Adam Heller (Make Me a Song) is expected to play composer-husband Lester Marton (created by Oscar Levant).

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Douglas Carter Beane Lovingly Steers "Band Wagon" to Create Broadway-Aimed DANCING IN THE DARK

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 1:13am

Beth Leavel!? I HAVE to get a ticket for this!

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 2:07am

This seems very promising!

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 2:36am

Why must Gary Griffin continue to get work

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 6:32am

I hope he includes "Two-Faced Woman" in the show. It's a great number that was, sadly, cut from the movie.

I'm sure many of you have seen "That's Entertainment Part III" where they showed Charisse's deleted version (dubbed by India Adams) side-by-side with Joan Crawford's version from the film "Torch Song" (also dubbed by India Adams). I don't remember who the commentator was for that part but they said the wrong number was cut and I, totally, agree. Crawford's was horrible!

I'd love to see what they can do on the stage with this number and also the "Girl Hunt" on a Broadway stage.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 8:22am

For me the most notable aspect of this film is its great sense of humour. It is easily one of the funniest movies ever made. I hope that aspect of the film is retained. Of course the score is wonderful too, and--being a great fan of Dietz and Schwartz--I look forward to additional songs from their output.

[mattonstage]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 9:11am

Good, a screen to stage musical I can be excited about from the onset. I love this movie and I can't wait to see the stage version. Beth Leavel will be perfect in that role.

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 9:23am

Interestingly, another Broadway-workshopped DANCING IN THE DARK (with a very different story, not based on THE BANDWAGON) was done at the now-shuttered Lamb's Theater in 1999. It starred (pre-PRODUCERS) Jeffry Denman & Michael Baresse, and had a very tantalizing and interesting premise. I'm very sorry not to have seen it.

I wouldn't consider anybody other than Denman for this new BANDWAGON based DANCING IN THE DARK.

DANCING IN THE DARK, 1999 version

Updated On: 12/23/07 at 09:23 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 2:40pm

I think the new title seems mis-leading. There's also a Bjork movie with the same title. I think they should just switch it back to the old title, or pick something else that's less - uh...cheesy?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 2:44pm

I believe the Bjork movie is Dancer in the Dark.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 2:47pm

Same difference. Either way, I think the title doesn't really explain the musical.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 3:02pm

My only concern with this project is Gary Griffin. His pedestrian direction can ruin this show.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 12/24/07 at 4:46am

Neddy, I wouldn't call Griffin's direction "pedestrian". He is a competent director but hasn't showed much inspiration with his direction of Color Purple and Apple Tree. Since this is a dancing show, I can only hope the Weissler pick a first rate choreographer for the task - although I'm not sure who's available...

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 1/15/08 at 6:40pm

If Beth Leavel goes to Broadway with this show, that means she probably won't get to originate Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot on Broadway... and she would be SO SO freaking fantastic at that role.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/15/08 at 6:48pm

Well, Never Gonna Dance did SO WELL, I am sure this can't surpasss THAT.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 1/15/08 at 6:56pm

"Same difference. Either way, I think the title doesn't really explain the musical."

No . . . but then, neither did "The Band Wagon"!

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 1/15/08 at 7:51pm

I would be SHOCKED if Hayden Gwynne is not asked to reprise her role as Mrs. Wilkinson on Broadway. Her performance was one of the best musical theatre performances I have seen in recent years. Beth Leavel should stick to Dancing In The Dark where she gets to originate another role rather than reprise a role that was originated by someone else, albeit in London.

[InfiniteGirl]

Posted: 1/15/08 at 9:04pm

Louisiana Hayride - I'z here!

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/15/08 at 9:14pm

It would be nice to see Christopher Gattelli get a shot at this. Although he's been working alot lately, they're mostly shows with "musical staging", and i think he has much more to offer. I'd love to see him spearhead a great big dance musical !

[roquat]

Posted: 1/15/08 at 10:55pm

If this works, it could easily go on forever--like the recent stage transfer of "White Christmas" will, I am sure.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 1/17/08 at 6:15pm

So what casting is definite so far?

Beth Leavel- writer/ actress Lily
Patrick Page- director Jeffrey
Adam Heller- writer Les
Sebastian LaCause- choreographer Paul
Mara Davi- dancer/ actress Gabrielle

Who is going to be leading man Tony Hunter?

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 7:53pm

Tickets go on sale this Sunday.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/23/08 at 11:12am

I'm so glad Beth is landing new gigs already post-DROWSY.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 1/26/08 at 2:18pm

Scott Bakula has been announced as the lead. I know he can sing but can he dance? This is a Weissler produced show so there is reason to worry (These are the same Weisslers who cast Melanie Griffith as Roxy!)

[Miss.Vanessi]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 7:41am

The idea sounds like it could be marvelous, but in some way, it seems to negate the whole point of The Bandwagon- Adding too much drama and reading far too much into what is intended to be a lighthearted and fun piece just winds you up in disaster.