MGM plans millions of movie-based musicals- Page 3

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 2:54pm

It may not have been a big hit or a popular title, but "Down With Love" would make a great musical comedy. The movie already has a stylized theatericality to it. If only the MGM Execs would do something smart instead of "Rainman: The musical." Ugh.

[jv92]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 3:51pm

The only possible project I can see really working is Midnight Cowboy IF they give it to someone who can really do it well, Guettel, Frankel and Korie, not some schmuck they found off the street.
Off topic a little, but though MGM doesn't own the rights, the other big "New York- Land of Sleaze" movie, Taxi Driver, would be a chilling musical. Adam Guettel, are you interested?

[theaterdude]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 7:40pm

i sincerely doubt mgm would have some "schmuck off the street".but whats wrong with finding new talent? be open to new discoveries.do we really want every show sounding the same? and i completely disagree that midnight cowboy is the ONLY project that could work. come on.thats ridiculous.

[theaterdude]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 5:47pm

hey i just saw that tickets are on sale for 'mermaids'.it says it opens may 10th at the california theater. anybody know anything about it?? or going to see it?

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 6:36pm

OY VEY!

Posted: 3/22/07 at 6:43pm

"It may not have been a big hit or a popular title, but "Down With Love" would make a great musical comedy. The movie already has a stylized theatericality to it."

I agree.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 6:47pm

Rain Man?

[Anthonyrhine]

Posted: 3/28/07 at 1:47pm

The musical (Mermaids) is actually playing at two venues in Southern California as an out-of-town during May. It is more closely based on the underlying book, though the movie was fairly true to the source material as well. The musical uses both original music (Adrian Henson, music and lyrics) and about ten songs from the era in which it is set (including all the songs heard on the film's soundtrack (ie. Johnny Angel, The Shoop Song, etc.). Plans for future production have yet to be announced by MGM, though the show is clearly moving forward.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/28/07 at 2:37pm

I remember reading an interview with Shanley where he said that MOONSTRUCK was not working out, so he pulled the plug and got the rights back.

[theaterdude]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:46am

any word on mermaids casting, anthonyrhine?

[ExpressThis]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 1:11pm

i hear they're gonna do SAW the musical

yeah just kidding that'd be AWFUL

[giddyup]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 2:08pm

Movie musicals have been done forever. Problem really is, not too many producers will take a chance on an "original" musical, wanting the movie name to grab the audience attention. Then, the first question is, can they make a movie better by musicalizing it? For example, Sister Act? Can that movie be made any better, esp. without an iconic Whoopie, and even more so by removing the music from the movie which is, in essence, what we all were attracted to. Second question is if it is truly "musical." That is a harder question to answer. I had my doubts about Spider Woman and that was brilliant. But Legally Blond? Musicalizing the courtroom drama? I don't know.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 4:25pm

Can't you just see Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in RAIN MAN: THE MUSICAL? And aren't you scared to death that they'll actually do it?

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 6:26pm

More brain-dead, non-theater for brain-dead audiences. And if you watch television, you're responsible for your culture's downfall.






Patti Placebo
My Mommy's closet

[sally1112]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 6:54pm

We will debate this topic until the end of time..or longer.

My first reaction is always to be nervous about movies as source material, but the fact is, sometimes it works (fill in names of shows that worked) and sometimes it doesn't work (same as above with shows that didn't work).

Often seemingly bad ideas turn into good musicals, and seemingly good ideas end up sucking.

Let's just wait and see. And continue to debate and elaborate.

[Anthonyrhine]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 12:15pm

I believe the show has been cast, though I don't know who's in it. This production is scheduled for a limited run in two theatres. What MGM will do with it after that is up to MGM. Ceratinly the talk is that they will re-cast and do a first class in San Francisco ala "Legally Blonde." We will have to wait and see. There is certainly a good debate to be had about the validity of using Hollywood movies as underlying source material. I think the most valid point is that a good musical is a good musical regardless of the source material. There are certain downfalls to using already established materials, but in the case of "Sister Act," with the Steinkellners and Alan Menkin doing book and score, the show has a VERY good chance.

[Piercemn]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:55pm

There was a version of The Man in the Iron Mask in London two years ago and it got terrible reviews and closed early. Rain Man simply doesn't sing. I smell flops!