'There's no Business like Show Business' The Movie on stage

[samcd3]

Posted: 12/15/08 at 4:53am

Has anyone ever heard anything about a stage adaption of the film 'There's no Business like Show Business'? It could be fantastic and there are some great roles for an all star cast! Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Casting ideas?

Updated On: 12/15/08 at 04:53 AM

[samcd3]

Posted: 12/15/08 at 7:57pm

anyone?

[dayao]

Posted: 12/15/08 at 9:21pm

I am not sure a stage version of this film would be possible as its score consisted mostly of songs written previously by Irving Berlin for various film and stage productions for different studios and producers, although most of Berlin’s song catalogue is controlled today by the R&H Organization. Several Broadway shows have been put together using George Gershwin’s songs which were composed in a similar fashion (My One and Only, Crazy for You). The successful stage musical of “42nd Street”, although based on the plot of the 1932 film, expanded its score to include songs written by Warren & Dubin for other Warner Bros. musicals of the same period and this worked out to great advantage for the show. I personally think “There’s No Business Like Show Business” would make a great stage musical as its plot is based on the lives of two generations show people, which allows it to work on several levels such as nostalgia, the fabulous Berlin songs and the film’s screenplay by Phoebe and Henry Ephron, unlike many films of this type, is basically an interesting and solid story. The biggest problem, though not insurmountable, would be the inclusion of the title song, which is from “Annie Get Your Gun”, a Berlin show that is still being revived and produced today. Most of the other songs used in the film are from revues and shows that are unlikely to be revived and a staging of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” would give these songs and any others included in a stage version to take on a new life and opportunity to be heard by a new generation that has not been exposed to Berlin’s wonderful tunes.

As far as casting for the stage version, anything we discuss here is pure speculation but I think Christine Ebersole would be perfect in the Ethel Merman role as she is arguably the best female actress and singer among any today who are the right age and voice type to play this role. Boyd Gaines would be great as the father (the Dan Dailey role), Laura Bell Bundy would be wonderful as the daughter (the Mitzi Gaynor role) and Matthew Morrison should be cast as the younger son (the Donald O’Connor role), provided he is a good enough dancer. I recently attended a concert where my favorite singer at the moment, baritone James Anest, gave a spectacular on the mark performance of “If You Believe”, one of the 3 songs Berlin composed specifically for the film, which convinces me that he would be perfect as the older son who becomes a priest (the Johnny Ray role). Laura Benanti, although not a blonde like Marilyn Monroe, has the right combination of sex appeal and talent to play Vicky. Given the fact that the story and Irving Berlin’s songs for “There’s No Business Like Show Business” are eons better than anything on Broadway today, I think this show would have as good a chance for success as any produced. In fact, the nostalgia value alone could be a great marketing tool for this musical, in my opinion.
I definitely would look forward to seeing this show.

Updated On: 12/16/08 at 09:21 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/15/08 at 10:21pm

I Love that Movie, Ethel actually makes me cry,
but it would cost a gazillion dollars to do it justice.
And of course "entering the priesthood" would be updated to
"you know what".

[samcd3]

Posted: 12/16/08 at 7:36pm

great choices! I have loved this movie since my dad rented it for me from the video shop when i was about 6 years old. taught me all about ethel. love it! I was listening to the soundtrack the other day which got me thinking about it. I feel it could easily be as big if not bigger than crazy for you was/is

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/16/08 at 8:29pm

Dayao, I like your casting choices but I have to wonder if Mary Testa could also be another viable option for Molly. I also question LBB as Katy. I've never seen her really dance so I'm not sure if she could do it. Vocally I have no doubts but I wonder if there might be someone out there who could dance the role better. While the movie doesn't showcase Gaynor's dancing THAT much I'd have to imagine any stage adaptation would play it up more.

These days the movie is marketed as a Monroe film but it's more of an ensemble piece. She has, what, three numbers? "After You Get What You Want", Lazy" and "Heat Wave"

I'd love for this to happen but I know it's a pipe dream. Though imagine that dance number with the fountain and the statues live on stage. Wow...

And it's Henry Ephron...I don't think Nora was doing much writing in 1954

[samcd3]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 1:43am

the statues scene from the movie brings to mind the current stage production on mary poppins and the song jolly holiday. thoughts?

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 11:26am

And of course "entering the priesthood" would be updated to
"you know what".

No because at the time (late 1930s) entering the priesthood was the only real option for young (Catholic) men who knew they were gay. (The fact that the opening gay Johnny ray plays Father timothy in the film only reinforces the idea.) No need to update it. Anyone who has seen the film knows what is going on there.

[samcd3]

Posted: 7/6/12 at 6:49am

Favourite number is Midnight Choo Choo followed by Heatwave. Oh and A Sailos not a Sailor, sooo many great numbers!!! Any other casting ideas people? how popular is the film over in The States? It is heavily marketed over here in oz (when I see it in shops, which I do often) as a Marilyn film. I think the current incarnation available for purchase has only her on the cover.

[Broadwayhunk]

Posted: 7/6/12 at 7:08am

Why bother with a new cast? Just resurrect the old one using holograms. It worked marvelously for Tupac.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/6/12 at 8:24am

I love Ethel, and I love her in this movie, but the moment at the end where she sees her son again and gasps right at the climax of the title song is deliciously campy.

Still you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold!
Let's go on with the show--GASP!
Let's go on with the show!"

http://youtu.be/icr71H1nb3Q

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/6/12 at 8:50am

So we are casting a show that could never happen? Let's just get back to who will win the Tony in 2013.

[PattiLover]

Posted: 7/6/12 at 1:27pm

I've wanted to see a stage version of this movie for years. I absolutely love it. The extended Alexander's Ragtime Band sequence is a hoot. 10 years ago, I could have envisioned Liza in the Ethel role. Why not?

Could be a good return to the Broadway Stage for Bette Midler too..

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/6/12 at 5:29pm

I love Ethel, and I love her in this movie, but the moment at the end where she sees her son again and gasps right at the climax of the title song is deliciously campy.

Yes, that moment is ridiculous; but for me, the movie is the best example of Merman we have on film. Maybe because sound had improved by the 1950s and she doesn't overwhelm the soundtrack when she sings.

I'm so glad to find people here who like it. Camp (and that would include every scene with Johnny Ray) notwithstanding, it's one of my favorite movie musicals, but I've been reading contemporary reviews that say it was already hopelessly dated by the time it opened.

[PattiLover]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 12:06am

Aw, I like the moment she gasps. I'll have to watch it again to see how campy it is.

[samcd3]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 1:31am

Patti for the Merman role? Thoughts

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/7/12 at 6:02pm

Frankly, I think the dirty little secret about Patti LuPone is that when she wants to be she's a better actress than singer. So I'm sure she'd make something of the role.

But what I like about Merman in the film is that her voice is actually sweet at times, not just big and brassy. I think it helps make her believable as the "mother". I don't know if I've ever heard that from LuPone.

(Yes, the above is highly subjective and JMO.)