MCC developing WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE musical by Bandits on the Run and Christopher Sears

https://playbill.com/article/mcc-theater-developing-whats-eating-gilbert-grape-musical-featuring-songs-by-bandits-on-the-run-christopher-sears

A casting notice has revealed plans for a developmental workshop of a new stage musical adaptation of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, hosted by Off-Broadway's MCC Theater.

The project is being directed and features a book by Peter Hedges, writer of the 1991 novel of the same name and its 1993 screen adaptation; and songs by Adrian Blake Enscoe, Christopher Sears, Sydney Shepherd, and Regina Strayhorn. Enscoe, Shepherd, and Strayhorn are all part of Brooklyn-based indie-folk-pop-Americana band Bandits on the Run.

Synecdoche2 said: "I wonder if the intention is to have Lucas star in it."

 

Who's "Lucas"? 

JSquared2 said: "Synecdoche2 said: "I wonder if the intention is to have Lucas star in it."

Who's "Lucas"?"

Hedges, son of Peter Hedges.

Does anyone need another 30 year old film made into a musical?  

Also how do they cast Darlene Cates' character for a stage show?

I was a big fan of the film when I was young, but I just don't see this being any good.

 

 

Having seen the Bandits perform songs from this at one of their concerts, I can say that the intention (at least as of now) seems to be to have a disabled actor as Arnie. When they played here in Hartford this fall, a performer with Down syndrome sang Arnie's solo.

Jordan Catalano said: "Immediately my mind goes to Arnie and how there will probably be a social media uproar over that role.


And then since it’s still one of the most egregious Oscar snubs of all time, I have to say I’ll never forgive them for giving Tommy Lee Jones the award over Leo, who to date has never given a better performance than he did in that film."

 

Agreed. And I also agree regarding the Oscars. I remember watching and was so sure he would win. It was a performance that sticks with me to this day.

 

Charley Kringas Inc said: "Here comes the fat suit."

 

Because there are MANY 600 lb people who can sing, act and dance a leading Broadway role for 8 shows a week!

 

 

JSquared2 said: "Charley Kringas Inc said: "Here comes the fat suit."

Because there are MANY 600 lb people who can sing, act and dance a leading Broadway role for 8 shows a week!"

I'm sorry that you don't know fat people who do things, but they do exist. Given the character, it's unlikely that they would be tasked with dancing, but fat people are perfectly capable of singing and acting, and are not at immediate constant risk of dropping dead at all times. We're more than happy to have actors onstage dealing with serious health issues or so old that it's entirely feasible they might not make it to the second act, but for some reason fat people are just a bridge too far.

QueenAlice said: "They can't cast a morbidly obese woman nor can they can a smaller woman and pad her - the optics for either would be negative for the production. My guess is they either re-conceive the character, or come up with a theatrical device that asks us to believe the the actress is overweight without physically representing it."

 

You mean they could never do anything like this??

Jordan Catalano said: "Immediately my mind goes to Arnie and how there will probably be a social media uproar over that role.


And then since it’s still one of the most egregious Oscar snubs of all time, I have to say I’ll never forgive them for giving Tommy Lee Jones the award over Leo, who to date has never given a better performance than he did in that film."

AGREED!!

I re-watched Gilbert Grape for the first time in a few years and my, what a beautiful movie. A musical adaptation could be very special indeed. Does anyone know if this is still in the works, or who was part of the last workshop? Depp and DiCaprio are fantastic but I always come away from a re-watch in aw of Darlene Cates performance. Like the posters above, I'm very curious as to how they would handle her casting onstage.