Step Aside Mrs. Robinson-It's Maude

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:04am

Just when you think they've musicalized every movie!!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=1723

[jmaclover]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:05am

Well, I'm still waiting for Secret Agent Man: The Musical.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:10am

I'm wondering what's taking them so long to bring American Graffiti to Broadway.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:12am

This show has some really interesting music. Some of it could have been spectacular, but it almost seemed like Thalken, the composer, felt like he had to prove how "modern" he is and overcomplicated the melody. But, on the whole, some really good music and the script is faithful to the movie. Harold isn't nearly as emotional distant in the script for the musical as he is in the film. How could he be? A musical couldn't exist with the emotional ambivalence that Harold has in the movie. So he's more sympathetic as a result. Maude is virtually unchanged from the film version. And she sings a charming song near the end to Harold. Should be an interesting show.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:14am

I just don't see a need to put it to music.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:19am

I have absolutely no idea what "Harold & Maude" is ... should I be embarrassed???

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:20am

Some of the music is exceptional. This is a show that I've actually been looking forward to for a few years now.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:23am

Me neither, gotham. But it has.
C'est la vie.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 10:11am

CATS, Harold & Maude is the story of a young man who develops a crush on a much older woman (he's about 18, she's in her 70's). It was a movie in the early 1970's starring Ruth Gordon. In 1980, it bombed as a play on Broadway.

In my opinion, Gordon's talent is the only reason that the movie sold more than 2 tickets. The film is a black comedy and developed a small cult following, but the younger man-older woman theme had already been explored a few years earlier in "The Graduate" with sexier stars and better music.

It's really one of those shows that should be playing in an off-Broadway theater (Back in the days when off-Broadway meant you were going to see something quirky and different. Unlike today's off-Broadway, which is just a NYC try-out for a Broadway production. But that's another thread).

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 10:35am

Damn. I thought this was going to be a thread about Bea Arthur finally appearing nude on Broadway. The world has waited long enough!!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 10:36am

I am very excited about this show, and it is one of the reasons I'll be in NYC in January. The supporting cast is tremendously talented, and I can't wait to see a musical adaptation of one of my favorite films.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 10:39am

Rath, we saw enough of Bea Arthur nude when the Golden Girls went to that nudist resort.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 10:50am

They did?? When?? Where can I get a copy??!!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 10:55am

It's a part of the Golden Girls series. I don't know if they put it out on DVD, but in one episode the girls went on vacation not realizing they were going to a nudist resort. (I think Rose booked the trip).

Updated On: 12/3/04 at 10:55 AM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:12am

Holy crap.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:18am

Rath, before you get too excited, all you see are their backs and shoulders. It is funny though because in the beginning they are embarrassed. When they finally do get used to it, they shed their clothes to go to dinner, walk into the dining room naked only to discover that at that resort everyone dresses for dinner. It's a hoot.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:01pm

I adore Harold and Maude as a film. I'm not entirely sure about the musicalization of it, especially if they're not going to use the Cat Stevens score that is SO much a part of the movie ("If you want to sing out" used to be my signature.) ..but then again, I've given up being skeptical about shows until I've seen them for myself. :) Maybe it'll be brilliant. At least its not another jukebox show.:)

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:06pm

Exactly,
New musical with new music...even if it's crappy I'll be happy knowing a risk was taken, for once!

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:08pm

Risk? I'm sorry, but my musical head is so filled with ABBA, Beach Boys, and Elvis, that I've forgotten what a risk is...:)

Okay, now Im just being snotty:) BobbyBubby, I love your pic!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:12pm

thanks Magic-It's the lovely Carolee Carmello, who oddly enough is in a jukebox musical!!!

Risk-To attempt something without stealing top 40 music for your score.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:17pm

D'oh - Thats right, I forgot that the goddess Carolee was in "The ABBA Show" (As my mom calls it) I still hold her in high esteem from Parade.:) Maybe her vocal magic is turning "The ABBA Show" into a remarkable experience. If anyone can do it, its her. (And Liz McCartney)

The risk factor is part of why I'm giving Brooklyn such a chance, and holding out on ripping/praising until I've seen it. At least its original.

That said, for some reason I really want to see "All Shook Up." Oh yeah, his name is Cheyenne Jackson:)