Marx, Pennette, Griffin, and Anthony Developing FLINSTONES Musical

"Marco Pennette is also in final negotiations to write the book for a new musical based on the classic animated series "The Flintstones." The Broadway-aimed production about the modern stone age family will feature a score by Jeff Marx and Jake Anthony.

The Color Purple's Gary Griffin will direct the new musical, which will be produced by Warner Bros. Theater Ventures.

The plot of The Flintstones, according to Variety, will focus on contemporary issues: "Wilma, for example, mulls leaving Fred because he still acts too much like a caveman and hasn't adapted to more modern ways. Barney and Betty tackle fertility issues before deciding to adopt. Musical will also tackle global warming — but in this case, as The Flintstones takes place before the ice age, the characters will confront 'global cooling'..."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123901.html

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I'm trying to be optomistic, and this sounds promising, love Jeff Marx, though I can't get over how many musicals based on cartoons are being developed right now, how did this happen all in the same year?
Well I don't think it's too early to say that this will obviously be headlined by Shuler Hensley as Fred

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Updated On: 12/3/08 at 11:15 AM

Who the hell is the target audience for this? Perhaps Pebbles will become a Mean Girl and face charges when one of her schoolmates committs suicide and Bam Bam will fall prey to a local pedophile.

Musicals based on cartoons and comic strips have been in development for years. These announcements account for very few that ever rise above the workshop phase. Remember Broom Hilda - The Musical?

As for this concept, B.C. would probably be a more conducive to a contemporary adaptation.

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It sounds like cross between Dog Sees God and Annie.

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There was a Broom Hilda musical? I used to love that strip!

Calvin- there are like 4 LuAnn musicals, and at least 1 cast album.

Personally, I see Brian D'Arcy James as Fred, and Norbet Leo Butz as Barney.

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Norbert Leo Butz as Barney is great casting! I think this has the potential to be actually decent!

With the perfect cast, I think this could really take off!

You've got to be kidding. And people wonder why Broadway is going down the toilet.

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^Enjoying his "Finding Nemo" royalties, no doubt.

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Jane Krakowski should play Betty. She was so adorable and funny in Viva Rock Vegas (and she looks HOT as a brunette!).

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Updated On: 12/3/08 at 11:17 PM

I would probably die of happiness if it was Shuler Hensley as Fred, Kaitlin Hopkins as Wilma, and Jane Krakowski as Betty. Honestly, I'd go see it like every day.

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And wouldn't Bam Bam just pick up a pedophile and slam him on the ground with one hand, shouting "Bam! Bam!"?

Right! That's what makes it so funny! As for Johnny Hart, he really did go off the deep end in his final years. But I admit I loved B.C. and The Wizard of Id when I was young, but as far as I was concerned, Don Martin was the king of hilarity. I am buying the collector's edition of the works of Don Martin next month. As a matter of fact, I think it's time to change my avatar to Captain Klutz!

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