Easter Parade

Although it's mostly pure fluff, it's one of my favorite films. Does anyone know if there are rights out there to have amateur productions of it? Has it ever been staged? Thanks.

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If you're not familiar with this movie, rent the DVD immediately and skip right to "Drum Crazy". This is a song where Fred Astaire takes a little boy around a drum shop and tap dances while playing one percussion instrument after another. (Like many tap dancers Astaire was also a drummer.) Not to be missed.

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The world premiere of the stage adaptation is being produced, as we speak, at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Minnesota. It's being produced in cooperation with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, so it's safe to assume that rights will be available eventually, though probably not for a few years yet.

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Yes, the Tommy Tune version is dead and Rodgers and Hammerstein organization is putting a version out there for stock and amateur groups. No word on if it will try New York.

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Knowing Chanhassen, this production will be amazing. If you follow this link, there's a preview video. It starts Feb. 9th.

http://chanhassentheatres.com/experience-cdt/news_announcements.asp

The movie is glorious thanks to an irreplaceable cast. But... I don't think it is a strong source for stage adaptation. Oh, the Irving Berlin songs are wonderful - even if they just use the ones from the film - but most of them are part of on stage show routines and don't do much to further what litle plot there is or develop character. ("Better Luck Next Time" is a rare example of both.)

I would make the same comments about WHITE CHRISTMAS but that show is designed mainly for limited runs in the holiday season. Maybe they could do the same with EASTER PARADE and have it run for 6-8 weeks every spring.

The only film musical that survived and in many ways was enhanced by being tranferred to stage (so far) has been 42ND STREET but then it had a theatrical spirit to begin with. SINGIN'IN THE RAIN, 7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS were all terrible on stage and all flopped.

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