#1
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).
More At Link:
Douglas Carter Beane Lovingly Steers "Band Wagon" to Create Broadway-Aimed 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).
More At Link:
Douglas Carter Beane Lovingly Steers "Band Wagon" to Create Broadway-Aimed DANCING IN THE DARK
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
