Hocus Pocus

#1

Hocus Pocus

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?

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"Life in theater is give and take...but you need to be ready to give more then you take..."

#2

Hocus Pocus

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.

#3

Hocus Pocus

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.***

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Gypsy - Betty Buckley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUN5XoB5vFs&feature=youtu.be

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

#4

Hocus Pocus

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.

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"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert

#5

Hocus Pocus

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

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

#6

Hocus Pocus

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.

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

#7

Hocus Pocus

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.

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"Life in theater is give and take...but you need to be ready to give more then you take..."

#8

Hocus Pocus

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

Sutton Foster IS Mildred Hubble.

#9

Hocus Pocus

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?

#10

Hocus Pocus

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

Iconic? It was a box office bomb.

#11

Hocus Pocus

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.

#12

Hocus Pocus

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?

#13

Hocus Pocus

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'?"

#14

Hocus Pocus

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.

#15

Hocus Pocus

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!

#16

Hocus Pocus

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.

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"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

#17

Hocus Pocus

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.

#18

Hocus Pocus

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

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

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''With the number of people I ignore, I'm lucky I work at all in this town'' - Helena Bonham Carter

#19

Hocus Pocus

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.

#20

Hocus Pocus

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.

#21

Hocus Pocus

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!

#22

Hocus Pocus

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

#23

Hocus Pocus

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.