It's time for a Once on this Island Movie

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/15/05 at 6:09pm

Maybe a successful Dreamgirls could inspire someone to make a film version of Ahrens and Flaherty's best musical to date. I wouldn't even mind Beyonce in the lead so long as the general public has the opportunity to see this beautiful gem.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/15/05 at 6:25pm

I don't think it has the appeal for a theater release, but definitely a tv version would be great. It would be nice if PBS would put together something like this.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/15/05 at 6:34pm

You reminded me of something. Remember when PBS was THISCLOSE to filming the Original Broadway Cast of The Secret Garden? Darn..

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/15/05 at 6:41pm

This is old, but something I just came across on the A&F site:

"In a special issue of Newsweek magazine, which celebrates 100 years of 100 movies, the article on musicals states that Jason Alexander, of Seinfeld fame has been trying for four years to finance a movie version of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND!!!! He is quoted as saying people love the score, but still balk at the idea of movie musicals. Let's hope A&F's recent Tony win for RAGTIME will renew interest in this project!!"

http://www.ahrensandflaherty.com/ooti.html

[JBSinger]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 10:46am

I think it would work beautifully as an animated musical. The "Christians" will get their knickers in a bunch over the Gods, but what else is new. Racy themes didn't stop RENT or Producers from being made.

But - I agree. it would be a stunning piece in any medium.

[electrakitty]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 10:52am

That musical makes me cry EVERY TIME!! :)

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 10:58am

I think it's a terrible idea. The show is only so-so, the book is weak, the score is alright but nothing great, and I can't imagine why in a thousand years anyone would go to see it.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 11:01am

either as the next disney tv one (cinderella, annie, music man, mattress) or a big animated one. the only thing is they cannot change the ending, which i fear would happen because it would seem to appeal to kids. imagine, they could make the gods like the in hercules or mulan, so fun! or if live action they could use four awesome famous people. like larger than life people... or like really famous singers.

and you're right, i wouldn't mind beyonce as ti moune at all. i think that is actually rather inspired.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 11:18am

Well, if Disney did it as an animated feature, LaChanze should do it...

[DancNdaMoonlite]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 12:44pm

"I think it would work beautifully as an animated musical."

I can totally see that!
I love Once on the Island.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 6:20pm

Animated totally- but not as a full fledged movie musical like RENT or The Producers. It doesn't have the zest that is required for it. Hollywood can't take another bad movie musical. The genre is still in a fragile state and can't take too many more flops. RENT was a big let down.

[OOTI2004]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 7:21pm

I would love to see OOTI as a musical. Although the entire score isn't amazing, I think this musical has some of the best songs, like Forever Yours and Ti Moune. I would not want to see this animated because its not a kid show and the animation would make it seem like one. Then material would need to be changed to make it appeal better to kids.
I think that if in maybe two or three years they made this movie with Beyonce in it, it would be great. Although she wouldn't be my first choice, I could definately see her in it and she would bring the much needed attention.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 7:41pm

i loved the show, but movie maybe, maybe not, it really all depends

[apdarcey]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 7:51pm

i would really want an abc/disney movie out of this like the other musicals they've done. i just can't stress enough how upset i would be if they change the ending. it has to stay.


what about fun famous gods?

agwe - jamie foxx
asaka - angie stone/jill scott
erzulie - whitney houston/halle berry (if she could sing)
papa ge - denzel washington


oh oh, and angela bassett and samuel l. jackson as mama euralie and tonton julian.

i could see usher as daniel.
then beyonce and kerry washington as ti moune and andrea. i would rather them the other way, but if beyonce was in it she would obviously be ti moune.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 7:52pm

Why not just cast Jennifer Hudson as Asaka and make it a DREAMGIRLS reunion movie!?

[apdarcey]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 8:09pm

i mean, we'll have to see how she does. but i can totally see this movie being so much fun with a rainbow of stars, like whitney's remake of cinderella.

[lilprima2b]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 11:09pm

I can't stand that show... my school just did it (and I swear I'm not just bitter because I didn't make it, I honestly hate the music, the only thing I like of Ahrens and Flaherty's work is 'Ragtime') and I had to see it to do a review for musical theatre class, and I wanted to leave the whole time. It's sooooo incredibly repetitive.

Bias aside, it doesn't seem like it would translate well, at least not to live-action. It's too... chintzy. It might be cute animated, though.

[iliketheater]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 1:12am

I love Beyonce's vioce, but I'm very much over her acting. If they ever did make this into a movie (which would ROCK since I've never seen it*) I would hope they would use LaChanze or any other BROADWAY actress.

JMO

edit: there's just so much talent in New York, I wish they'd use it* Updated On: 12/17/05 at 01:12 AM

[pab]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 1:20am

"I think it would work beautifully as an animated musical."

It already did. It was called "The Little Mermaid".

[jimmirae]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 5:08am

I adore this show, I love "Mama will provide"!

[gabybon]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 6:12am

I Love the show too! It's so magical...I saw it in London, wonderful cast and amazing version!
I think that more than a movie for cinema, It was better a big tv movie or a special realase for home video-dvd like "Joseph" and "Cats" official videos...
If they are thinking about a movie for cinema, they must ask to a very good director full of fantasy and genius...someone like Tim Burton maybe...It must be a very extravaganza and poetic movie!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/17/05 at 8:50am

Beyonce as Ti Moune is inspired? JESUS, that's a frightening though...