Technological Advances Ruining the Plot

I’ve been wondering how to turn movies or plays from previous decades that took place in the then-present into musicals when they can’t realistically be set today. Some, such as “E.T.”, which I think would make a great musical, could easily be set in the present. Others, such as the hilarious James Garner/Doris Day comedy, “The Thrill of it All,” would have to be set in the original time period because they depend on outdated social or cultural situations (husbands insisting that their wives not work) or outdated technology (live commercials).

A problem arises, however, for stories such as “Deathtrap” or “Ten,” which also cannot realistically be set in the present, because too much of each story depends on the absence of cell phones or computers. Yet, there is no dramatic benefit to having them take place in the 1970’s or 1980’s because there are no interesting cultural references, and having them take place in the period in which they were written, in my view, becomes nothing more than a plot contrivance to avoid the technology issues.

I’d love to read other people’s views. Is it possible to adapt stories like “Deathtrap” or “Ten” for the present? If not, would the audience accept them in their original period? Can anyone think of other movies or plays where a similar problem occurs?

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I don't understand your argument for needing to reset the shows in the present.

If a show takes place in the 1950s then it should take place in the 50s.

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WhizzerMarvin,I wasn't trying to say that all shows should take place in the present. Instead, I was saying that shows that take place in the recent past should probably be set in the present if they're revived or made into a musical or, for a movie, remade.

My mystery novel writing instructor said that setting should always be a character. I'd add time period to that statement. If there's no purpose to having a story take place in the 80's, except to ensure that a character types on a typewriter (as in "Deathtrap"), instead a computer, people will feel cheated.

Conversely, if there's something interesting about the period, and it helps the plot, keeping the original decade is fine, in my view. However, it's important that the revival make numerous references to the era, to ensure that the audience feels that keeping a play in 1980 is important for reasons other than keeping the technology old. For example, if Sidney Bruhl makes fun of Ronald Reagan (or Jimmy Carter), that would help legitimize the choice to set the revival in the original era. Otherwise, I think there's a chance of having people apply that dreaded word to a play: "The acting is good, but the story is dated."

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There is a video on Youtube of an award-winning college production of "She Stoops To Conquer" set in an alternate version of the Restoration period, where, despite it being the seventeenth or eighteenth century, all the characters have access to modern communication technology. The juxtaposition of careful courtship rituals and social mores with people being their real, uncensored selves in Facebook, Twitter and text posts (mostly adapted from asides to the audience) was a highlight of the production.

"Tony can't call Maria and tell her he's hiding out in Doc's basement?"

But he tells Maria exactly where he's going and that she should meet him. Calling her is not the issue, Anita is.

people will feel cheated.

What people? How is it cheating people to set something in a time other than the present day?

I'm kind of confused here in general, but I guess I'm reading that the OP thinks that if something can be reset it present day, then it automatically should be set in present day. In the case of movies, these happens quite often. (The Front Page to His Girl Friday to Switching Channels comes to mind). But in the case of movies, a screenplay has to written, while with a play, the text is already there. So unless it's public domain or you get permission from an estate (assuming the authors are dead, because if not, then you're gonna have get the playwright to rewrite their play for you). So there's your first hurdle.

I'm not suggesting it's a terrible thing to change the time period of a show. There are always plenty of good reasons to do it, but I don't think "audiences expect characters to have cell phones" is a reason. And I think just setting a play in modern times simply because you can (rather than a justifiable dramatic reason) is just arbitrary as NOT changing the setting of something.

Also, Deathtrap's portrayal of homosexuality would require a major rewrite if you were setting it in the present day.

As for West Side Story, does Maria's family have a phone?

Updated On: 5/27/13 at 11:17 PM