The Wizard of Oz- Page 2

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:08pm

Thanks, yeah i agree. Some of the jokes would have to be changed. Also I think the Wicked Witch could use a few more jokes, just so that they younger audiences arent affraid like so many are of the movie

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:11pm

here is MY opinion.. as someone who was OBSESSED with oz while growing up.

I don't see why it has not been produced yet.. if they have beautya nd teh beast, we should have OZ. It would have to be done carefully though. The MGS/PaperMill tour a few years ago was good, but would not last on Broadway. I like teh RSC script more than the final film script, but I DO think someone should be brought in to freshly adapt it.. someof teh RSc stuff is a bit 'off' now.. and there are some great scenes deleted from tehf ilm that could.. and should.. be brought in.

I LOVE The Wiz on stage...

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:26pm

I would love to see this on the stage. I think they should get someone to write some more songs though. If you think about it, there isnt that much music the movie.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:29pm

there are some numbers that were deleted from the film... a reprise of Over the Rainbow, the Jitterbug, and a reprise of Ding Dong The Witch is dead.. some of the songs were lengthened for the RSC version as well......

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:38pm

Jeez. Cut the guy a break. He wants to learn to be a director also! That's the only thing that gets me on these boards is that some people can be so caustic!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:40pm

No, Ragtime, a producer does NOT just "give money." If you hand over a ridiculous amount, you can be LISTED as a producer without doing anything else, but in general, there is a hell of a lot more to it than that. Obviously Derek wants to be a lead producer.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:41pm

And there are schools/programs for producing!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:43pm

The Fran and Barry Weisller Academy of Penny Pinching and washed-up-star-location.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:45pm

Derek2, best of luck to you (it's just know go, you got no show without the producers!)
I remeber there was a concert/benefit on TV a few years ago where Nathan Lane was the Cowardly Lion and Bernadette Peters was Glinda.
I could see it as a big budget broadway musical. But a GREAT adaptation, production expenses, and timing are key.

[shlamdiddly]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:52pm

I 'd love to see it done on Broadway. As of right now It'd be overkill 'cause of Wicked...But once Wicked is less of a big thing, or gone...Oz would be great

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 4:55pm

Not here to go back and forth about schools. Do a search like I did. My response was just from you calling him an idiot.

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:11pm

Gee, thanks everyone for sticking up for me. I think i made some friends :). Thanks also for all your support. I know that producers give money to the production, but they also have a lot of other jobs to do. I have already met someone else who wants to produce and direct the show as well. Hopefully we'll team up and do justice to this show that already rocks and make a great show for all of u who support the idea. Thanks again, u guys are great!

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:42pm

I think Derek knows what he is saying and doing. Good luck Derek!!!

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:51pm

Once again, thanks uncageg for sticking up for me. Thanks for the advise Ragtime but I think I'll handle it, and if Im wrong, Ill find out for myself, but from what other people on this site are saying (and i think they know their broadway stuff lol) I have a feeling Im not. Thanks though

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 5:59pm

and so do half the people I know so...thanks once again. Im only 16. Im not exactly positive what Im going for yet, but its gonna be something that deals with producing or theatre management (as you say) and if all the other producers on broadway now went for it, you (someone who doesnt really know me) can't really say I wont. I hate being rude but...u kinda deserve it. I'd probably be a little nicer if you gave me the advise a little bit well...not so rudely. Thank you once again. Im sure Ill make up my mind

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 6:03pm

Thank you. U know for someone who doesnt know me ur very rude. I appreciate what your saying, I know your telling me to stop living this dream cuz u think Im just another dreamer, maybe I am, but if we dont dream, I mean where do we get?

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 6:05pm

anyway, anyone else have any opinions or ideas about this subject?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 8:03pm

If you think about it, there isn't that much music the movie.

Well, you are right about that. The producers did end up butchering the Arlen/Harburg score for the film, very much. If you notice, the last song in the movie is "If I Were King of the Forest". By deleting songs and reprises that were written by Arlen and Harburg the last third of the film is completely numberless. They actually deleted quite a bit...

they removed a verse of "Over the Rainbow" and they cut...

the into's intos "If I Only Had A Brain", and "If I Only Had A Heart" that were intended to be sung by the crows and the apple trees which was written, but never filmed.

they cut The Scarecrow's dance sequence

"The Jitterbug"

"Courage" (the second part of 'King of the Forest')

the "Over the Rainbow" reprise

as well as the "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" reprise after the Witch melts.

and a song that is not in the RSC version "Ding Dong Emerald City" which was also cut from the film.

So when all these songs are restored on stage the score is very much complete. Especially when you get the huge dance sequence in "The Merry Old Land of Oz" and the showstopper that is The Jitterbug! Updated On: 8/13/04 at 08:03 PM

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 8:17pm

I agree. By putting all these numbers in the stage show it is now complete. The Jitterbig is great! Of course some updates would have to be done. The script was written I think back in the 80's and some lines don't work too well now. Also, do you think if this show were to be done and done well, if nominated, would it be nominated for best musical or revival. It was never before done on a broadway stage, however was performed in London. Also, could the Arlen/Harburg score go up for best score? Thanks

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 8:46pm

I think it would be a revival. Assassins never played on Broadway either, but I guess since it did have a major New York production that qualifies it as a revival. So since THE WIZARD OF OZ has been done numerous times by MSG and other production companies they'd almost definitely label it as a revival. Which is a shame because it really isn't a "Broadway revival" and it would be the first time Arlen and Harburg's WIZARD OF OZ would play in an actual Broadway house. It really was meant to be on stage... it's a wonder the movie even made it to the screen with all the problems that arose during filming, but as you can see - it didn't make it intact.

[shesings]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 9:23pm

I would LOVe if it could become a reality - but I have a hard time thinking it would work. Even if they made it just like the movie, same songs, sets, script etc - there is NO WAY anyone could live up to Judy Garland.
Just how people are told to steer clear of singing Over the Rainbow, b/c no one will ever do it as well as Judy. It's a surefire way to make yourself not seem that spectacular. You might have just as good a voice, but you won't do it the same way, the way everyone knows and loves. I think that nobody out there could do Dorothy justice. It just wouldn't happen.

[Glebb]

Posted: 8/13/04 at 9:27pm

I like THE WIZARD OF OZ on DVD. I like WICKED on the stage and hopefully soon on the silver screen (and eventually DVD) with Cheno as Galinda/Glinda.

[starlight2]

Posted: 8/14/04 at 12:28am

So did no one see it at Madison Square Garden several years ago? It was awesome! And was supposed to go to Broadway at some point, do not know what happend though. It had some incredible talent.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/14/04 at 1:04am

I prefer Jessica Grove's "Over the Rainbow" to Judy's any day... Am I the only one who thinks Judy sang it waaaaay too low??? probably... lol.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/14/04 at 4:26am

Derek will get somewhere in life! why? He doesn't work for some corporate entitity. How DARE you say he won't get anywhere? Is that not what theatre is about? Risks? Chances? Not the corporate thing. I applaude him. Who cares who you work for...and that's just it...you work for someone...you don't think for yourself!!!! ouch!