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.
"I long-ago realized that this country is a nation of
morons, when it comes to knowledge of anything outside, or beyond, pop culture." Steve Slezak
Updated On: 12/16/08 at 09:21 PM
