The Exorcist on stage!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 10:54am

Interesting...Doyle directing an adaptation of The Exorcist! If only it was a musical...
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LAs-Geffen-Playhouse-to-Premiere-Doyle-Helmed-THE-EXORCIST-More-in-11-12-20110512

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 11:01am

I've actually read the script of this and am a little skeptical; its a pretty straightforward adaptation of the novel (using a fairly small cast) and tastefully avoids a lot of the sensational aspects (there is no projectile vomiting or head spinning) -- its thus a psychological thriller (not a bad idea)but its also very talky and looks like it could lack suspense.

Hopefully Doyle will help them trim and shape it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 11:03am

Even if I could get to LA, I'm pretty sure my desire not to have nightmares for the rest of forever is one of the few things in the world that could outweigh my love for all things Doyle. But I can't wait to read about it!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 11:14am

The book is wonderful and tells a much more straight forward story, though still terrifying. I wonder how Blatty feels about it. I'm sure they needed his blessing, but would love to know his thoughts.

Although the film (also wonderful) did have more sensational shenangians of the damned, there is still alot of physical stuff in the novel including levitation, impossible strength, contortions, etc. that should prove difficult to stage.
I'm getting goose-pimply!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 11:17am

I'm scared of everything. I have the fear threshold of a child!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 11:26am

Those moments aren't really depicted on stage. Its mostly conversational and fairly bare bones. The Demon is an actual character and he and Karras just talk and talk and talk about religious theory, which isn't very scary.

Frankly I think a similar approach to creating a straight forward adaptation of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS for the stage would be a lot more riveting.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 11:29am

Oh drag...that sounds terrible and boring!

[castlestreet]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 11:57am

Just in terms of lighting/design and getting someone like Langella to play Lector would make for a great play- but the rights are probably at issue. I know there was talk from David Yazbek about how MGM has an entire list of its properties that it would consider for stage adaptations-but I don't remember Silence being one of them...

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 12:01pm

The devil is a physical character?! Yuck! They must realize by now that the "unseen" is more terrifying than the "seen."

Take a cue from Theatre History 101: when you're trying to evoke an audience's imagination of something supernatural, better get the rabbit out of "Harvey" quick, or you'll end up with a clunker.

Still, I'm intrigued since this is adapted by John Pielmeier who wrote "Agnes of God." At least he was smart enough then not to make "God" an actual character.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 12:04pm

And doodle---I don't know that I could see this as a musical, unless it were Sweeney Todd-ish and almost operatic.

Come to think of it, an opera would work better.

I still think a play could work, if it were well written and staged. My biggest problem with this is that everyone knows the story already. How do you create the tension, when we all know what happens?

I was riveted when I first saw Agnes of God, because I had no idea where it was going, and it was fascinating.

We all know that at the end of "The Exorcist," Regan runs for president.

Ooops ... SPOILER!!!

Updated On: 5/12/11 at 12:04 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 12:09pm

Not only is the devil an actual character but I bet he wears a turtleneck.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 12:23pm

Crazed theatrical madman Ryan Landy and his Gold Dust Orphans troupe mounted a parody in 2004 called "The Exorsissy." It was Mad magazine parody-like in many ways but had a few absolutely shocking bits of theatrical magic, one of which haunts me to this day! Maybe Doyle should contact Landry.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 12:36pm

Not only is the devil an actual character but I bet he wears a turtleneck.

Not a blue dress? :-P

I'm surprised they're stripping some of the theatrical magic out of the exorcism and Regan's possession. I don't want to hear about it happening offstage in exposition. Sounds like they're confused about what to show and what not to show.

The thing that worked so well about the film is the almost "documentary" approach that Friedkin used. Initially, he had a full music score composed, and then he cut it in favor of a mostly "barren" soundtrack. There is very little music in the actual film, unless it's source music or the famous cue of Tubular Bells (which lasts all of 30 seconds). He also used some hand-held camera shots, etc. All to give it a realistic look. That's why it's so effective.

I really don't want to see old Father Marren and a "Dick Cavett-esque" devil-host having a frank "talk show" discussion on stage.

And I remember the "Yeccchcerscist" parody in Mad. I think I still have my copy.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:01pm

I remember that Mad parody too! I was kind of kidding about it being a musical. I know everyone knows what happens, but I think it'd be a draw if it was done well.

I just hate the whole Merrin and Pazuzu playing chess crap.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:02pm

I can just hear them belting out "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better!"

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:08pm

they can do a number from "La Plume de Ma Tante"!

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:08pm

Updated On: 5/12/11 at 01:08 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:09pm

My memory says it was called "The Yecchsosick," but it could be faulty.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:12pm

I want to hear about those moments in The Exorsissy!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:12pm

Okay here is a link to John Pielmier's website. He has one page of his script posted.
THE EXORCIST on stage

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:16pm

For what it's worth, I remember the title being "The Ecchorcist."


Edit: This guy, too. And he apparently has a copy.
includes 1 panel of art Updated On: 5/12/11 at 01:16 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:26pm

Whoah, Reg, some of those titles caused me to have childhood flashbacks. "On Olden Pond." "Crymore vs Crymore."

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:27pm

God, I loved those parodies.

Was Mort Drucker the usual artist?

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:32pm

I found that same page, Reg...my childhood is flashing before me...film parodys on Carol Burnett and in Mad Magazine.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/12/11 at 1:39pm

Oh boy, Michael Bennett, that is one Jesuit who talks with absolute certainty. And it reads as if that demon is actualy Judas from Jesus Christ, Superstar.

As for Landry's "The Exorcissy," it starred adorable Haley Shrimpton as Ronald Reagan MacNeil, audiences had already fallen in love with her in Landry's send up of The Bad Seed. When she was flopping on the bed they somehow switched the cherubic young girl with a much older little person with ghastly make-up. She was the same size as Haley and played the demon scenes but it was truly terrfying to suddenly see her where Shrimpton had been. I think they used a panel in the bed. Freaked the audience out and it was the final image before intermission.