"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
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
Why? That sounds like the worst thing ever. Fertility issues? Are they joking?
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
I hope they yabba dabba don't.
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.
Ha -- I don't think many people ever remember Broom Hilda, the comic. But there was a workshop for Luann the Musical not too long ago, too.
And wouldn't Bam Bam just pick up a pedophile and slam him on the ground with one hand, shouting "Bam! Bam!"?
As for B.C., I would hope they'd make it as homo-riffic and Jew-riffic as possible to ensure maximum grave spinnage for that bigot Johnny Hart.
Updated On: 12/3/08 at 12:21 PM
It sounds like cross between Dog Sees God and Annie.
OMG
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
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.
taz, I was thinking the EXACT same thing!
Well, for whatever it's worth, I'm intrigued.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/07
Norbert Leo Butz as Barney is great casting! I think this has the potential to be actually decent!
Hell, I'd see it...
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/07
With the perfect cast, I think this could really take off!
I'm sure it will be a triumph of imagination and surprise.
You've got to be kidding. And people wonder why Broadway is going down the toilet.
The reason Broadway is going down the drain is that the economic climate we're in sucks. This forces witty writers who win Tony awards for original works to resort to brand names, so their musicals can be produced.
Glad to see Marx working again, but where's Bobby Lopez?
^Enjoying his "Finding Nemo" royalties, no doubt.
A musical based off of a popular cartoon?! That'll never work!
Jane Krakowski should play Betty. She was so adorable and funny in Viva Rock Vegas (and she looks HOT as a brunette!).
Brian D'Arcy James or Shuler Hensley as Fred and Alice Ripley or Kaitlin Hopkins as Wilma.
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.
Hensley and Hopkins are a great stage couple.
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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