LORD OF THE RINGS THE MUSICAL-$18 MILLION

I wonder how much of the Tolkien cult likes musical theater. Or if it even matters to them, as long as it's Tolkien. Then again, I'm sure the movies have expanded the audience for this stuff.

But overall, it doesn't matter to me. I will never, ever pay for anything that has to do with Lord of the Rings. Ever.

And if they really want to flop, they can use the "songs" Tolkien wrote.

I'd be in that tiny section of Tolkien fans who love musical theatre. But the very idea of a musical of LotR scares the hell out of me. I have no idea how they're going to pull it off. NO. IDEA.

How can LOTR be the most expensive musical ever...i thought that title went (and still) goes to the lion king. Correct me if im wrong.

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I can't even think about it. Once again, a big musical based on a big movie. Not an original work!

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I actually think Lord of the Rings could make a good opera or sung-through work. Maybe because it reminds me of Wagner's Ring cycle in its pomposity.

And really, Gollum doesn't have to sing. There are non-singing roles in musicals. Or he can intentionally sing badly- he's not a pleasant chracter, is he?

And hush about no "original" musicals. Many (dare I say most?) of the finest musicals were based on other works. Oklahoma came from the play Green Grow the Lilacs, A Little Night Music came from the movie Smiles of a Summer Night, My Fair Lady came from Pygmalion, Chicago was based on a play by the same name, and the list goes on and on. Adaptation isn't a sign of evil or unoriginality. It's all in the execution.

Wait and see if it ever makes it to London, first. I imagine if it succeeds there they'll want to bring it here.

People, it's GOLLUM. G-O-L-L-U-M. Not G-O-L-U-M or G-O-L-E-M or I-D-I-N-A.

I have been a Lord of the Rings fanatic since I read it (repeatedly)as a teenager way back when. Enough of a fanatic that I doubted that anyone could possibly capture the "feel" of the books in a movie...not to mention the intricacy of the story lines. I also was "smuggly" offended by the thought of Lord of the Rings action-figures and the exposure of this jewel of a story to "everyone else" who had never invested the time and energy in reading the books.

I was wrong. It took three long movies to tell the story, but,even being the purist that I am, I have to admit that the movies do justice to the flavor of Tolkien. I really like them.

Now, trying to visualize a further condensation of Tolkien into a couple of hours of musical theatre, I'm pretty skeptical again. I love musical theatre; that's why I'm here, but I'm not sure that I want to see the Lord of the Rings in song and dance...

Any word yet on the design team? I can't wait to find out who the set and costume designers are and how they tackle this epic. I think it is safe to say that they will spectacular in the spectacle sense of the word....any suggestions for who you think could pull of these grand designs?

Akiva

Sounds like a giant flop. I can't even imagine....the idea is just bad. I think it will be a total disaster. Just my opinion though....

I am, however, hoping I am proved wrong.

Updated On: 8/17/04 at 04:08 PM

i hope this isn't true...although if orlando bloom is on stage and is naked, i wont mind.

Gollum already sings bits and pieces in the trilogy, so that's not so far fetched.

I just don't know how they're going to be able to fit all of that in a 3 hour show (or under). How much are they going to trim? How many characters will be left out? And it's going to inevitably be compared to the movies which are already successful.