Gone With the Wind Musical- Page 5

[WalkOn]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 6:57pm

I think GONE WITH THE WIND needs the dignified wise ol' slave to soften the harsh reminder that these people are owned.

The happy selfless negro helping the troubled white man is FOREVER recycled.. even up to today.

Sure Mammy is wise. She may even be smarter than her owners. But you don't give a damn that she is a slave...why? Because she is seemingly content in her servitude. This is what GONE WITH THE WIND sells you.

What GONE WITH THE WIND would NEVER say is that contentment at being owned is a SURVIVAL skill. A skill born out of the need to be useful to one's owners, or risk severe punishment. This idea isn't half so comforting.

Sure Mammy is wise and clever.. she needs to be to stay alive!

The other negro GONE WITH THE WIND needs is the silly stupid but happy negro... as in Prissy.

With Prissy you are sold the idea that a foolish girl like Prissy couldn't survive in the world without being a slave. Thus slavery isn't ALL that bad. Again, another device used to take the sting out of remembering that these people are owned.

Clearly others won't agree with me on this, but it disturbs me. Whatever magic GONE WITH THE WIND had for me is long gone.

...

as for the civil war and slavery being just a backgroup...

Tell the SAME story in another environment.

Go for it.

It won't have the same pull because much of GONE WITH THE WINDS appeal comes from selling a pre-civil war fantasy south of happy negroes, magnolia blossoms, mint julips and spoiled belles in crinoline.

This fantasty south reduces the civil war to a war pitting southern gentility vs. northern agression. The issue of slavery is a minor detail, hardly worthy of mention.


...

Mother's Younger Brother,

You have no enemy here.

The whole "mammoth ego" business was about baiting you. I appologize.

I actually think it is touching that you trying to see the many facets of this issue. I respect that.

Updated On: 2/24/07 at 06:57 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 6:16pm

"as for the civil war and slavery being just a backgroup...

Tell the SAME story in another environment.

Go for it.

It won't have the same pull because much of GONE WITH THE WINDS appeal comes from selling a pre-civil war fantasy south of happy negroes, magnolia blossoms, mint julips and spoiled belles in crinoline.

This fantasty south reduces the civil war to a war pitting southern gentility vs. northern agression. The issue of slavery is a minor detail, hardly worthy of mention."

I agree, in the fact that it is Scarlett's fastasy that we are witnessesing followed by its downfall. It is very clear at the beginning of the film that Scarlett did not take the war seriously and the only things she noticed were those that she took a personal interest in, which were entirely superficial. Which would make slavery "hardly worthy of mention" because she never felt that way. The rosy happy-go-lucky romantic Civil War era was Scarlett's memory of that time. That's how I've always seen the film and that is how the film plays out. The movie takes on a more serious and depressing tone as Scarlett's world rapidly disappears and reality sets in.

[Redhead0322]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 8:58pm

I'm sorry, I just can't see this story with music. I think it would ruin it! Just imagine "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" to music.

Posted: 2/28/07 at 9:45pm

Just imagine "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" to music.

with guitar solos yet!

[Dark_Angel]

Posted: 2/28/07 at 11:08pm

I was hoping they'd do a musical of Mandingo.

Now that I would love to see!

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 9:11am

The original GWTW musical from the early 70s was discussed on this site last spring. Someone on this board was in the touring company that performed it in Houston and St. Louis I believe. I think it was schedule to go to Miami when they cancelled it.

I have the 2 CD Japanese version of Scarlett and the LP for the highlights from the london cast (a shortened, english translation of the Japanese show) Harve Presnell made a great Rhett, I love his voice.

The book and movie certainly have the themes that would make for a good musical with numerous points that seem natural for songs. The main problem is the same as the first musicalizations had, the length of time to tell the story. The first Japanese version was over 4 hours long. The english version just over 3 hours. The expense is another with scenes like the burning of Atlanta could cost a fortune to produce on stage and jeopardize the chance of recouping costs.

[Fan2]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 9:29am

Another message board said Trevor Nunn workshopped this last year. Trever Nunn cast Hugh Jackman in the Australian "Sunset Boulevard" and also "Oklahoma!" so there's kind of a connection with this news I guess.
Updated On: 3/3/07 at 09:29 AM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/3/07 at 9:50am

Mandingo The Musical

I can see it now

[jo]

Posted: 3/4/07 at 8:09pm

Yes, a poster at the Dress Circle message board said that this was workshopped by Trevor Nunn and that the lead role was sang by the original Laura from The Woman in White( that must be Jill Paice) which was directed by Trevor Nunn.

If it is true, then there must already be a musical score and presumably a book. I wonder if this is a new one, or simply a revival of the first attempt to musicalize the film. There seems to be more credence to this bit of news now, if it is true that Trevor Nunn is connected with it, as he has done a few literary works-into-musical theatre pieces.

And it also makes sense now that they are planning to open it in London.



*********************************

EDIT:

There's another update post at the Dress Circle message board on this project --

http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/messages_popup.asp?ForumID...se_id_Message=193635


RE: GONE WITH THE WIND. From: 4Fxsake
Date: 04 March 2007 18:34
Its a new one. Adapted by Sir Trev......it workshopped last year......3 hours plus!!! Very good by all acounts. Has been on the cards for about 3 years or so.


*Someone asked in a previous post if it was the same version which was produced sometime ago, hence, this reply.

Updated On: 3/4/07 at 08:09 PM

[kec]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 6:49am

Update: According to London Theatre Guide, the show will be opening next Spring in London. No information on cast, although a friend saw in today's London's Daily Mail that Jill Paice may play Scarlett. Link below is to the London Theatre Guide article. The tidbit from Baz Bamigboye isn't available online.

"Nunn With the Wind" Updated On: 6/1/07 at 06:49 AM

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 7:04am

Also reported at What's On Stage:
http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821180691453

[Paulyd]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 8:05am

I can just see the lyrics now

"This civil war is rotten, thats why i'm out pickin cotton"

Someone make it all stop now!!

Although Mandingo could be a scream. I'm sure Audra could free up her schedule.

[Craig]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 9:31am

You mean they aren't bringing "Atlanta" to the stage.. that glorious musical movie featured in "Irreconcilable Differences" with Sharon Stone singing lead?

"This Civil War ain't gonna get me down. I'm taking my act to a brand new town. This belle rings in old Atlanta. I'm gonna find myself a brand new Santa! "

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 12:22pm

I don't care what anyone says. I'm excited about this.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 12:27pm

Meeee tooo. Especially now that Trevor Nunn is directing.

[Fontybell]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 6:34pm

HAVILAND STILLWELL.

done and done. easy.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 6:44pm

Hey people. GWTW was a movie set in a particular period

Please accept it as that. I loved the musical done in London & never saw the French version

It will never reach NY so we will have to leave it at that

I hope Jackman plays it (new version) & comes out in a Hawaiian shirt & marimbas

Updated On: 6/1/07 at 06:44 PM

[Fan2]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 2:54pm

How about this one?

http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/hasselhoff%20desperate%20for%20musical%20role

HASSELHOFF DESPERATE FOR MUSICAL ROLE

Actor and singer DAVID HASSELHOFF enjoyed his part in the CHICAGO musical so much, he's begging London's theatre producers to cast him in another show.

The BAYWATCH star, whose ideal part would be in a stage-adaptation of the classic movie GONE WITH THE WIND, made his stage debut as lawyer BILLY FLYNN in the capital's West End in July (04), but found his 60 performance run ended too soon.

Hasselhoff says, "I'd like to come back to the West End and do something.

"I hear TREVOR NUNN is doing Gone With the Wind, so I'm in search of Trevor Nunn. I want to play RHETT BUTLER - if I could do anything, that would be the dream for me right now."

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 3:05pm

Wonder if black people will be sold tickets for the balcony only?

[kec]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 4:36pm

"Hasselhoff says, "I'd like to come back to the West End and do something.

'I hear TREVOR NUNN is doing Gone With the Wind, so I'm in search of Trevor Nunn. I want to play RHETT BUTLER - if I could do anything, that would be the dream for me right now.' "

Oh, dear Lord NO!!!!!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 5:58pm

TO BFB

Nice to see you have a grasp of the situation. When in doubt, play the card

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 11/25/07 at 3:18pm

I just watched Autant en Emporte le Vent. All I can say is, MY GOD!!!!!! Is there anything they DON'T sing about.

[Theatrical Landladies]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 6:51pm

Will there be tap dancing? I love a show with tap dancing!......................................................

oh and lots of lovely costumes and wigs!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 7:10pm

Staging the Civil War to music ?

Wait they already did that with The Civil War.