How does everyone feel about a potential Helen Keller musical?

[untitled79]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 1:57am

Sweet Helen and friends the musical!
Updated On: 8/5/08 at 01:57 AM

[ze emcee]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:03am

Wow, actually, I think that's a brilliant idea.!

[christhefish]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:06am

wow, actually, I think that's an awful idea.!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:19am

Hahaha, they already did that on South Park.

[alterego]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:22am

"Talent for the deaf, dumb and blind maybe..." with apologies to GYPSY.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:25am

"Water, Helen, Waaaaaateeer"

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:31am

Oh I can just hear Helen's heartwrenching end of 1st act solo!

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 3:08am

How would they justify her singing, unless they did it a la Little Mermaid?

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 3:09am

Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracle Workers!

Ugh. Grow up.

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 4:51am

Oh my God, sporkgoddess!! I love that episode of South Park...too funny with the director that sings everything and Jimmy as Helen Keller. That episode had music in it...maybe Trey Parker and Matt Stone should run with this!!

[SunnyDays]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 9:04am

They also did it in one of the Sunset Island series' books by Cherie Bennett back in the 90s. In the book one of the main characters is cast in a new Broadway musical about Helen Keller. The descriptions of the show were hilarious (I don't remember the details, just that they were intentionally completely absurd) and the show closed after one night. Although it was a fiction book, I'm guessing the outcome would be the same if it were actually done.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 9:39am

"She Can't Talk And She Can't Hear But Boy Can That Girl Dance!"


"I Say Potato And You Say 'Wuuhhnh'"

[winston89]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 9:51am

"That deaf dumb and blind girl sure plays a mean pinball."

Oh, sorry wrong musical.

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 9:52am

As is obvious by now, the property (possibly a musicalisation of "Miracle Worker") could go very bad. I think a whole lot of the dramatic tension would be caused by what Helen would sing or if she would sing at all when she makes the connection with what Annie is trying to teach her. I'd love to be optimistic and say that if done right and in not such an obvious way, a musical version could be something interesting. I'm thinking a more intimate simple show, frankly. But if there is nothing wrong with the stage play, which is still as visceral as it was fifty years ago, I say don't touch it.

[musicalman2]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 10:02am

actually, there is one in the works. I met an author who recently did a reading of one in NYC about Helen and Annie Sullivan's later years. I spoke with someone who attended and said there were many lovely moments in it, and it is moving forward.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 10:19am

Shuler Hensley could play Helen... he has spent a year moaning to song.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 10:22am

I can just hear the opening song, "Blurghajownnn"

Which reminds me of a great Helen Keller joke:

Why did Helen Keller's dog run away?
You would too if your name was *insert random moaning and grunting here*.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 10:27am

Haha! So glad someone mentioned the South Park episode "1400's! Alabama!"

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 10:58am

There's many jokes to be made about what a deaf person singing. I'm just feeling too lazy and PC to think of any right now.

[StuckToTheStage]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 12:21pm

I can see the tagline now...

"She Stumbles, She mumbles, she grumbles...It's Helen Keller, The Musical!"

[untitled79]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 12:56pm

what if we threw other historic figures in the mix. It is "Sweet Helen AND FRIENDS". say... Anne Frank and maybe FDR or Rosa Parks. to name a few. and then take it completely out of reality and have them all together in a room a la Assassins style and see what happens. I was thinking maybe a Chuck E. Cheese's.

Updated On: 8/5/08 at 12:56 PM

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 1:05pm

now you're just killing the joke..

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 1:32pm

jeniferrenepatricia: And the director was like Colm Wilkinson

"I cannot hear what they are saying... I cannot tell them how I feel... if only I could say the things that go on in my mind!"

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:17pm

I'm speechless.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 2:47pm

"Cool, clear, waaaaaaahwaaaaaahnnnn!"