The Princess and the Frog?

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 5:57pm

I know this has been discussed on here before, but since I brought it up on the Hunchback thread recently, I've decided to make a whole new one. I sure hope the team at Disney decide to bring this to the stage soon, before Tangled or Frozen. Ideas, dreamcast, opinions? Discuss here.


I would like to see Sasha Allen as Tiana, Adam Jacobs as Prince Naveen, and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Dr. Facilier.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 6:46pm

This has the potential to make a stunning production.

I would love to see a Ballet infused production, many of the moments in the film would work beautifully as dream sequences.

Leslie Odom Jr. would be interesting as the shadow man.

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 6:48pm

I LOVE the music and overall tone of that film. It was so under appreciated at the box office. The New Orleans vibe is just so much fun. The jazzier and ritzier the score sounds the better for this one.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 6:54pm

I guess the fact that the two leads spend most of the movie as a couple of frogs is nothing to be too concerned about. Yeah, yeah, I know. The Lion King, Cats, etc etc. they can wear green frog heads on top of their human heads and hop around on springs for two and a half hours and it will be pure magic.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 6:55pm

I think the score did a brilliant job "disneyfying" New Orleans. I got friends on the other side is my favorite number from the film.

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 6:58pm

^ Get some neon and black lights. Talk about a cool number. I always thought that song would look so good on stage.

Updated On: 7/16/13 at 06:58 PM

[Starship]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:01pm

The show has sooo much potential. And I'm sure there are ways to make the frog aspects work. I mean, we have Cats, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid...The Jungle Book.

Plus, I feel like there is so much casting potential for the roles. Kecia Lewis Evans as Mama Odie? I would die happy! Plus, the set could visually stunning. The only thing that would need to be transferred over would be the frog elements. I see lots of potential for neat costuming (Dr. Facilier and Lois) and puppeteering (Crocodiles, shadows, etc.)

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:05pm

It's a no brainer that Julie Taymor would be perfect for this (obviously...). But if she does direct it, I hope she can bring some more creative techniques to the stage than what we have seen in The Lion King.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:07pm

What about Corbin Blue as Naveen? It would make sense for him to do another Disney musical given his history with the company.

[N2N Nate.]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:07pm

It's a lighter and less iconic show, which might hurt it a bit.

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:11pm

Or even Da'vine Joy Randolph as Mama Ode!

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:15pm

"What about Corbin Blue as Naveen?"

It's Bleu, and wow! I didn't think about him, he would be a perfect Prince Naveen (at least his looks, not sure about the acting and singing). Has he received good feedback from being on Broadway?

The thing about this particular movie, if they transferred it to stage, many singers (I'm talking star casting here), actors, or actresses (Broadway stars) would be great in the main roles. I mean the casting possibilities could go on for forever



Updated On: 7/16/13 at 07:15 PM

[all that jazz]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:35pm

Sorry for the typo...

If Amber Riley would loose some weight she would be a great candidate for Tiana.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:45pm

When I think about it, even though Anika is 40, she still looks young for her age and the character the most. I think she should reprise her role if it transfers; she could win that second Tony! She already has the experience

Updated On: 7/16/13 at 07:45 PM

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:46pm

I think Krystal Joy Brown would make an awesome Tiana!

[Starship]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 7:54pm

Yes, I completely agree. SO many potential star castings!

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 8:04pm

Ricky Martin as Prince Naveen? Even though he's too old (doesn't look like it), but he could possibly be good with the role? Josh Young? Good potential casting for that role as well.


Updated On: 7/16/13 at 08:04 PM

[Musical Master]

Posted: 7/16/13 at 8:51pm

Well... I don't know. It could work on stage but the movie does not seem like it has anything that would translate well to the stage unlike Hunchback of Notre Dame which has more stronger apsects to it.

I personally never cared for the movie for it's problems in storytelling and songs. But some characters were great (Ray and Charlotte), some were decent (Tiana and Dr Facilier), but some were ehh (Naveen and Louis). I really can't stand Randy Newman for his work OUTSIDE of Pixar (with a rare exception with Cats Don't Dance).

So honestly I don't think it would work in the theatre like how The Little Mermaid on stage was a failed experement from the very start and a poor replacment for Beauty and the Beast.

[gavyj]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 12:02am

This could run for years or flop just like The Little Mermaid. Just depends on how strong the creative team is.

As far as cast, I think Anika could pull it off. And how about Derrick Williams for Naveen? And just for fun, Norm Lewis as Dr. Facilier.

[Starship]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 12:24am

Patina Miller as Princess Tiana, Kecia Lewis Evans as Eudora/Mama Odie, Brian Stokes Mitchell as James/Dr. Facilier, Robert Creighton as Lawrence, and Alli Mauzey as Charlotte.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 12:33am

Phillip Boykin as Louis!

Or you know what, Phumzile Sojola would be good too



@Starship I like what you did with Brian playing both James and Dr. Facilier. Reminds me of how Mr. Darling in Peter Pan also plays the villian, Captain Hook.

Updated On: 7/17/13 at 12:33 AM

[Starship]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 12:45am

@justincharacter - Yeah! I always thought that if the show was brought to Broadway, Eudora/Mama Odie and James/Dr. Facilier would be good combinations.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 1:03am

I like that idea of James/Dr.Facilier too Starship, and Alli Mauzey is perfect for Charlotte.

I wouldn't be surprised if Jenifer Lewis returned to play Mama Odie, she's no stranger to Broadway. Actually, quite a few of the actors in this film have theatre backgrounds, Anika Noni Rose, John Goodman, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 1:05am

Down in New Orleans (Finale) is personally one of my favorite songs from the film. The beautful orchestrations when Tiana sings "Dreams do come true" is just breathtaking and I think it means so, so much more in this particular story than just the average Disney slogan. I can see it being one of the greatest musical finales (and I'm sure the large sounding ensemble would be added into it than just Tiana singing)

[N2N Nate.]

Posted: 7/17/13 at 9:18am

I don't think the material is strong enough to have a successful run. There are good songs in the film but nothing on the level of other Disney classic songs and the characters feel more like stereotypical cookie board cut outs of other Disney characters. The emotional investment is very thin in this movie.