Hocus Pocus

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 9/28/11 at 8:44pm

Now I'm most likely gonna get ripped a new one for even having this idea but does anyone else think this would lend itself to be a great stage adaption?! Or just me? Prolly just me right?

[Nettik]

Posted: 9/28/11 at 8:47pm

I think it would make a fine musical, but I think the movie is possibly too iconic to be adapted into another medium.

[ChiChi]

Posted: 9/28/11 at 9:15pm

Actually, the movie is pretty dumb and a stage musical would be pretty cruddy. It's just not good source material.

***However, it's always good to think of new ideas and this certainly is one. Won't even try to take that away from you.***

Updated On: 9/28/11 at 09:15 PM

[singtopher]

Posted: 9/28/11 at 9:45pm

The stage version would have to be pure fun, frothy, traditional musical comedy. Mary Testa, Jackie Hoffman, and Leslie Kritzer for the witches, I say.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/28/11 at 9:49pm

I'd rather see The Worst Witch on stage, even though I love Hocus Pocus.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 9/28/11 at 11:19pm

Oooh Worst Witch. Michael Greif can direct since he's an expert in the awful projections needed for Anything Can Happen on Halloween.

Love Hocus Pocus, but I don't think it would have mass appeal for an open-ended run. Maybe a seasonal run like Elf but there isn't a huge tourist market in October.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 9/28/11 at 11:34pm

^Really? Everyone in my generation (kids in their early 20's or late teens) at least the people I know love the movie. I think it has a pretty big fan base to get a decent run started and if Bette Midler produces it (ala Whoops in Sister Act) it would be a decent hit. Again...something that I have no business discussing cuz I am DUMB when it comes to financial aspects of shows but idk...something I was thinking about.
but Worst Witch idea....thats brilliant.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/28/11 at 11:35pm

Sutton Foster IS Mildred Hubble.

Posted: 9/29/11 at 8:30am

I remember thinking the movie was kinda fun, way back, but is it truly an "iconic" movie that can't be touched?

Posted: 9/29/11 at 10:21am

Iconic? It was a box office bomb.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/29/11 at 10:26am

Like a lot of movies, it found it's fans when it came out on video. I wouldn't go so far as to call it "iconic" but for people of a certain age it certainly is a classic, that I can see working very well on stage as a musical.

[Nettik]

Posted: 9/29/11 at 10:35am

Perhaps "iconic" wasn't the word I wanted to use, but it's certainly a cult classic. It's not brilliant, but it is a very fun movie with terrific casting. I'm just not sure it could hold up without that casting, but I could be wrong.

If it's given a Rocky Horror Jr. vibe, that could be interesting... I can't see it working year-round, but maybe a seasonal off-Broadway kind of show?

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 9/29/11 at 10:36am

Also, it plays nearly 24 hours a day through the month of October, so I can see how it means a lot to a certain audience.

But it's definitely a generational thing. Like when my (younger) boyfriend talks about how wonderful "Clue" is, and I always respond "You mean 'Murder by Death'?"

[showchoirguy]

Posted: 9/29/11 at 11:44am

not as iconic as much as a cult classic.
This show could work extremely well on broadway! It's just has that charm to it that seems it could work.

[Lili Von Shtupp]

Posted: 10/2/11 at 3:42am

My opinion about Hocus Pocus aside, a movie being a "box office bomb" does not mean it is not iconic (i.e. The Wizard of Oz). Just sayin'.
(But I do agree that it is more at cult-classic status than iconic.)

What a fun idea, fingerlakessinger! I would be interested in seeing it!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/2/11 at 3:54am

I feel like this is not a new conversation. I have a very strong feeling of deja vu. Either this has been discussed on the board or it was being considered at one point.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/2/11 at 4:38am

What I wouldn't do for an extended version of I Put A Spell on You.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDidHzwYu3E

But there's always the question Mary Testa. Winnie or Mary? I'd prefer Winnie. Kerry Butler as Sarah. Kathy Brier as Mary.

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 10/2/11 at 5:18am

I always thought of Carolee Carmello as Winnie. Megan Hilty for Sarah, anyone?

[candydog2]

Posted: 10/2/11 at 7:28pm

What are the chances of Midler reprising her role? That'd give the show a bit of star power if they ever decided to adapt it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/2/11 at 7:35pm

Bette Midler is on record saying that role was the most fun she'd ever had working on a film. But she also doesn't want to return to an 8 show a week broadway schedule. It's a fun idea but like someone mentioned, it has a very limited time each year where it could be profitable.

[Xman8]

Posted: 10/2/11 at 7:40pm

Bernadette Peters - Winnie ( ha! wishful thinking!)

Actually I'd see Sherie Rene Scott as Winnie
Mary Testa as Mary
Laura Bell Bundy/Mary Faber - Sarah

and

Book and Lyrics by ME!

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 10/3/11 at 1:11am

I'm not a fan of the movie .. but ... here goes
a Hairspray reunion

Jackie Hoffman as Winnie (Could you imagine the adlibs)
Marrisa Janet Winokur as Mary
Kerry Butler as Sarah
Updated On: 10/3/11 at 01:11 AM

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 10/3/11 at 3:53am

I think that a main downfall of the movie was that it was released at the wrong time. The film is a Halloween movie, and it even takes place ON Halloween. Therefore, it should have been released sometime in October, not July, like it was.