Sweet Bird of Youth--a Musical

I just got back from a high school production of Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke. It was quite an "experience" and I don't think the wisest choice for the cast involved.

Anyhow...as I was leaving someone in the crowd was mentioning Sweet Bird of Youth (hopefully not as a selection for next year!) and mentioned about it being produced as a musical. Is this true???? How on earth? I mean...as I recall Chance gets beaten and castrated, doesn't he? (I remember a song called the "Castration Shuffle"--SNL? Monty Python?)

So...anyone familiar with this...or am I losing my mind. The younger,kept man/older woman is a popular theme...

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Updated On: 3/6/04 at 10:32 PM

Could they be mistaking this for SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (which wasn't very successful) ?

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In the movie DEATH BECOMES HER, there was a musical version of SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH starring Meryl Streep's character. The name of the musical within the film was called SONGBIRD and Streep playing an aging actress playing the role of the the Princess was a hoot. She actually performed an opening number called "It's Me" replete with dancing bell hops. It was supposed to be a really bad musical but Streep was so bad (intentionally) that she was brilliant. She is the most talented actor of the 20th and probably 21st centuries. If they ever make a film version of SUNSET BLVD. she must play Norma.