Modernized/updated Hammerstein shows? — Page 2

I'm suprised no one's talked about Cinderella, that show is an example of an update that happened to be in a good (respectful) way by Douglas Carter Beane. I've never been a fan of the original television version (nor the 97 one) but I think it's okay with Andrews and Warren giving their own neat performances.

When I think of modernizing a show, it usually means setting it in a different time period. For the most part this to my traditional mind just doesn't work. I've seen Macbeth in any number of incarnations but none worked for me as well as a traditional setting. Rewriting, on the other hand can work as the current Cinderella production demonstrates. But it is still set in a fairy tale kingdom and covers the familiar story of Cinderella with the requisite humble beginnings, wicked step mother, fairy godmother, and handsome prince. The updated book has wonderful resonance with today but in 50 years it may be more anachronistic than the original.

This would probably work with other lesser known R&H shows but could be a tougher sell for the more popular like Oklahoma and South Pacific. And as others have commented, many are time specific. Imagine South Pacific set in Viet Nam, for example. The basic story could work as would many of the songs, but I doubt it would get my butt in a seat no matter what the stunt casting. What might be much more fun would be a new R&H musical in the vein of Crazy for You or Nice Work If You Can Get It. Done well, that I would pay to see.

"How much of Oklahoma is How Green was my Valley?"

None. Oklahoma is based on Green Grow the Lilacs.

"We're still talking about a rhymed, poetic form, so you're not going to get gritty realism. And as Eric points out, profanities wouldn't have been allowed at the time anyway."

I disagree. Carousel has spouse and child abuse in the plot. It is hinted at that Billy provides sexual favors to Mrs. Mullin. Oklahoma has a rape ballet. Ado Annie is portrayed as a slut. Yet the lyrics are so santized. They are only one step ahead of moon-spoon-June. I don't think that the R&H lyrics match the characters or the plots of the stories.

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"As you yourself point out, it is HINTED that Billy provides sexual favors to his employer; it isn't explicitly described."

You've missed my point. Those things are in the book of the show but they are not reflected in the music. I'm not expecting the music to be David Mamet, but I think it doesn't match the book. The book and the music just don't match.

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You're a queer one, GothamPC.

I'll admit that I don't even know what "modernized" means. Is it taking Knickerbocker Holiday and setting it in Chicago during the 1966 riots? Anything Goes set on a Princess Cruise? My Fair Lady moved to Appalachia circa 1950? Just leave them alone. They are our cultural musical theater touchstones and we can't know where we're going if we don't know where we've been. The great ones neither need nor want any "help."

There's a production of CAROUSEL currently running in London that changes the setting to during the Great Depression. It's been getting good reviews. There are photos from the production on the website.


CAROUSEL, Arcola Theatre

It's difficult-to-impossible to update realistic works because of the references in the dialogue. You pretty much have to do an adaptation to avoid anachronism.

But with more poetic scripts, it IS possible to make interesting changes in time and place, because the language usually isn't specific in those areas. This is why the Greeks and Shakespeare are shifted to new periods more often than Ibsen or Williams.

R&H's are among the more representational musicals, so they are problematic, but they are still essentially poetic in style. I see no problem with a CAROUSEL set in the Great Depression. On the other hand, setting OKLAHOMA! in the present day just begs the question, "Why?" The rule of thumb should be whether the play makes more sense or less when its setting is moved. It shouldn't be a matter of a director showing how clever s/he is. (This latter point isn't a reference to you, ice-cream. I know you're not making changes to flatter yourself.)

^ That would indeed be an improvement. :)

Although speaking as a Canadian who saw an attempt at a coalition government thwarted just a few years ago by an unelected government official appointed by the queen of the UK (and Canada), even constitutional monarchies greatly anger me both for their nepotism as well as the gross transfer of taxpayer money to supporting obscenely wealthy people who got their positions and wealth by birth and not through hard work.

But back to the world of theatre, I like your sequel idea!

Alas, Adam, we Americans also transfer billions in taxpayer monies to the richest 1%. And we don't even get much pomp and spectacle for our buck!

^I must disagree with you on that one, unlike Cinderella which was ripe for a rewrite (by Douglas Carter Beane which was done in good taste unlike Flower Drum Song's unforgivable rewrite from 2002), Carousel is still a beloved musical by a lot of people and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization wouldn't allow a massive reworking if people still love it for what it is.

Carousel to be set in the Great Depression is an interesting idea, but did New England still have clambakes during the 30's?

(CAROUSEL) is "possibly the worst show ever".

I can think of several hundred shows you have yet to see. Even R&H gave us ME AND JULIET.

Updated On: 7/12/14 at 10:43 PM