New Poll: What Musical Currently Running on Broadway Would You Like to See Made as a Movie Next?

[Rob]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 1:27pm

[tazber]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 1:54pm

I would love a Mormon movie, but the musical I think would make the best movie is Catch Me.

They have the variety show structure which could make people bursting into song more believable, like the way Chicago had all the songs framed as being in Roxy's mind.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 2:08pm

Wicked isn't my favorite among these shows, but it is the best possible material for a movie. Making movies of the best show in the bunch, Mormon, and the worst, Memphis, are both terrible ideas.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 2:45pm

A film version of BABY, IT'S YOU would win more Oscars than TITANIC!

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 4:02pm

I'd like to see HOW TO SUCCEED... remade, since they cut so many of the songs, and altered the book, in the original film. Keep it intact and redo it!

[TexanAddams18]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 5:31pm

Why would you want to risk the magic of Wicked?

[TexanAddams18]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 5:31pm

Why would you want to risk the magic of Wicked?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 7:39pm

Well theres already talk of remaking H2$.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 8:08pm

There's been chatter for the last year about a WICKED film.

In 3D, no less.

[ChiChi]

Posted: 7/22/11 at 11:26pm

None of them. In fact, most musicals should be left in their original form. They don't all need movies.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 7/23/11 at 1:51am

^ Agreed. There have been so few good adaptations, in either direction actually.

[Broadwaynut81]

Posted: 7/23/11 at 11:12am

I like the idea of "Jersey Boys" just because of the material alone. On the other hand, it would probably just follow the same format of the show so you would probably be better off filming the show live.

[PopAria]

Posted: 7/25/11 at 1:48am

Wicked has done incredible on Broadway as far as $$ goes. Imagine that on the big screen!? PLUS it's a good story for all ages.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 7/25/11 at 10:47am

^ Ahem. May I point out the following case studies...

HELLO DOLLY

A CHORUS LINE

MAME

[RENT_is_Wicked2]

Posted: 7/25/11 at 12:31pm

Mormon or Memphis would be a smash HIT at the box offices. With Mormon's comedy and Memphis's style of music and movement, they would be unstoppable!

Wicked I'm kinda effy about, I mean sure it's the highest grossing show currently on Broadway. But I'm scared that they might just blow it and ruin the magic that the show has.

[James885]

Posted: 7/26/11 at 10:15am

I'd also add Phantom of The Opera and Rent to SeanMartin's list. A smash hit on Broadway does not always translate to a smash hit on the big screen.

[aliceripleysnumber1]

Posted: 7/26/11 at 5:26pm

I, for one, think that Next to Normal should be the next movie musical made. There was talk of it for awhile. I think it could be done very well.

[dented146]

Posted: 7/26/11 at 9:10pm

Since the rights to Jersey Boys was recently sold, that may be most likely.

[ComingUpRoses2]

Posted: 7/26/11 at 11:13pm

I think a good movie musical is always possible, but they are certainly rare.

The best movie musicals will sacrifice songs, set pieces, and even characters as long as it makes for a better film. I always hate when people protest movie musicals that alter things a little bit. If it helps out in the long run, why not? Look at Chicago! Yes, I adore many of the songs they cut, but they weren't really helping to tell the story. On the other end, you have Nine, which completely missed the fun of both the stage show and the original film it was based off of.

Out of these shows, How to Succeed and Jersey Boys could be fun. I'd rather see Next to Normal myself with a good strong actress like a Toni Collette or Kate Winslet in the lead role.

Wicked, much like Phantom, is one of those shows that really doesn't have the best book in the world, but it does have a few decent songs. If I were to make it, I'd go directly back to the original source material and re-write the entire book, keep all the big songs, and call it a day. As is, it wouldn't work at all as a film. What's exciting and magical on stage, would be old hat and possibly even silly on film. I mean, really! Big deal! She's flying! They did that in the Wizard of Oz yeeeeaaars ago. I remember someone saying that it might be neat as an animated film and I must admit that sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

[HenryHenry]

Posted: 7/27/11 at 6:58am

I just don't think musicals work on film. I would love to say Next To Normal, but i would want the OBC in it.

I would love a novel of Next to normal though. I love that musical but PLEASE, do not make it into a film.

I think maybe the book of mormon would work because its so funny. Most musicals somehow loose the magic when transferred to film.

Wicked would be amazing on film though, if done correctly.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 7/27/11 at 6:02pm

The 60s film versions of HOW TO SUCCEED and LIL ABNER are pretty much case studies in how to do it right. But somewhere along the way -- I guess when MY FAIR LADY was filmed -- producers decided they needed to go really, really big or go home. So we get monster misfires like CAMELOT and DOLLY or stylistic WTFs like MAME and NIGHT MUSIC and FORUM, all properties that should have been utterly bulletproof and arrived DOA.

And it certainly doesnt work when someone takes a film musical and tries to rework it for the stage. CALAMITY JANE, anyone? SEVEN BRIDES? Bottom line: they serve completely different audiences with utterly different styles of approach.

Of course, if you want the ultimate Broadway/Hollywood mash-up, check out RED GARTERS. Arguably one of the strangest pieces ever put to film and doing so by trying consciously to look like a play.

Updated On: 7/27/11 at 06:02 PM

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/27/11 at 8:56pm

"Wicked I'm kinda effy about,"

This made me laugh.

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 7/29/11 at 11:19am

Sean Martin, I'll see you Lil' Abner and How To Succeed, and raise you Oliver.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 7/29/11 at 12:34pm

Oh, I definitely agree with OLIVER. KING AND I aint too shabby either. There have been some good ones, but certainly not many recently. CHICAGO, yes. NINE, not so much.