THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
#0THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/7/05 at 3:57pm
Does anyone know about this show? I've heard a few songs and it isn't so bad. I know that it's been done a few times but will a Broadway production ever come to fruition?
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#2re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/7/05 at 4:08pmthat movie scared the crap out of me as achild. didn't know it was a musical. wow--that could be amazing!
Mind is Mantra.
#3re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/7/05 at 4:16pmThe movie is absolutely fantastic...though the things that make the movie great (cinematography, Gish and Mitchum, Charles Laughton as director) won't translate to the stage. I wonder what it's like...
#4re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/7/05 at 5:22pm
I saw the "world premiere" production as it was staged in Concord, CA.
I think it was a good effort but it left a bit to be desired. The songs sounded sort of dated (and not in a good way), the sets were dreary, and the whole staging managed to leech a lot of the inherent scariness of the story away. On the plus side, the cast was fantastic, especially Brian Noonan as The Preacher (he managed to capture that creepy edge), and Lynne Wintersteller as Willa Harper.
The Willows Theatre still has their page up about it at the link below.
Night of the Hunter - Willows Theatre
'"Contrairiwise," continued Tweedledee, "if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."'
~Lewis Carroll
Updated On: 9/7/05 at 05:22 PM
#5re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/7/05 at 5:27pmYou know, after reading that article, it might just make a pretty good gospel musical....
#6re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/7/05 at 5:34pm
Well, with songs like "River Jesus," it's already halfway there. 
'"Contrairiwise," continued Tweedledee, "if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."'
~Lewis Carroll
#7re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/7/05 at 5:34pm
why isn't there a musical called The Night of the Hunter Foster? now i'd pay to see that.
Updated On: 9/7/05 at 05:34 PM
#8re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/7/05 at 5:35pmexactly--which brought me to the idea--just go whole-hog and make it something that religious folks would come see. Like an "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" kinda deal...
#9re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:09am
It doesn't need to be as religious as it is. Sure, most of the characters are devout, and the main villain is a preacher, but the religious songs are pretty heavy-handed and detract from the plot.
I agree that Brian Noonan was fantastic. So scary!
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#10re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/8/05 at 1:09am
It doesn't need to be as religious as it is. Sure, most of the characters are devout, and the main villain is a preacher, but the religious songs are pretty heavy-handed and detract from the plot.
I agree that Brian Noonan was fantastic. So scary!
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#11re: THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Posted: 9/8/05 at 10:00pm
I also saw this at the Willows theater last year. I enjoyed the sets; particulary the creepy trees effect. I thought Brian Noonan was playing the preacher oddly, too friendly in the beginning, when he should have been creepy the entire way through.
I also agree with Shawk here...it needs a bit more work. The songs were just ok (IMO), and the only one that stood out for me was "The Watch". I hope to see a tighter production of this work someday, as I am a big fan of the book and the movie.
"My dreams, watching me said, one to the other...this life has let us down."
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