This Year's Best Musical Nominees: A First?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:19pm

It just dawned on me that all four Best Musical Tony Nominees this year: MATILDA, KINKY BOOTS, A CHRISTMAS STORY and BRING IT ON are all adaptations of films.

I can't believe it took me this long to make that realization.

I'm sure someone has already brought this up but, since I can't find it, is this the first time that has happened?

[ggersten]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:31pm

2005: Spamalot; Light in Piazza, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Spelling Bee

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:33pm

Spelling Bee was not based on a film.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:33pm

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE was based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original improvisational play created by Rebecca Feldman and performed by The Farm, a New-York-based improvisational comedy troupe.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:34pm

Last year's nominees were ONCE (movie), NEWSIES (movie), LEAP OF FAITH (movie), and NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (jukebox).

Three years ago, MEMPHIS was the only nominee with an original score (I use the term "original" strictly here).

In 1995, there were only two nominees: SUNSET BOULEVARD (movie) and SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE (revue).

A quick search seems to say that, while completely original shows (original story + original score) have long been relatively rare, this does seem to be the first year that all the nominated Best Musicals were based on films.

Each one of them except KINKY BOOTS is [title]: THE MUSICAL. Kinda says it all.

EDIT: Or not. See below.

Updated On: 6/11/13 at 01:34 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:35pm

Isn't Matilda based on the book (not the movie)?

Updated On: 6/11/13 at 01:35 PM

[kdogg36]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:35pm

To be a bit of a stickler, the credits for Light in the Piazza say that it's based on Elizabeth Spencer's novel rather than the movie.
Playbill Valut

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:37pm

Besty, that is true.

For some reason I thought I remembered reading an interview where the creative team said they drew inspiration from both the book and the movie.

But, still, I'm sure it's primarily from the novel.

So, perhaps it's not a first after all.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:38pm

Isn't Matilda based on the book (not the movie)?

Besty, I think you're right, and that's a good point. If the producers or writers do not license the film from the studio that owns it, legally they CANNOT base anything on the film -- meaning, they can't use anything that is not in the original book. I think that is the case with MATILDA.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:41pm

According to IBDb.com, the credit is "Based on the novel by Roald Dahl."

http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=493194

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:49pm

There we go.

Close but no cigar.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 1:50pm

Still, we're getting awfully close.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 2:05pm

FOAnatyc is largely right, at least as far as the nominated shows being based on films or on other material which had already been filmed (no matter how the libretto's source was officially credited).

If one wanted to be a major stickler, however, one could propose that 1966 and 2012 also (if barely) qualify.

1966:

MAN OF LA MANCHA (DON QUIXOTE had been filmed)
MAME (AUNTIE MAME had been filmed)
SKYSCRAPER (DREAM GIRL had been filmed)
SWEET CHARITY (based on NIGHTS OF CABIRIA)

2012:

ONCE, LEAP OF FAITH and NEWSIES (obviously)
NICE WORK (it's a reworking of OH, KAY, and - and this is a quantum stretch - OH, KAY had been made (GET THIS, I KID YOU NOT) into a SILENT (that's right, SILENT) movie in 192

(OK, just shoot me.)



Updated On: 6/11/13 at 02:05 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 2:08pm

Now long until we see the first musical based on a video game?

[BrerBear]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 2:13pm

> Now long until we see the first musical based on a video game?

Getting closer:
http://www.videogameslive.com/
Onstage? Check. Symphony? Check. Flashy presentation? Check.

All we need is actors and a paper thin book and we're good to go.

(I actually saw this and liked it, all kidding aside.)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 2:28pm

Patti LuPone IS "Ms Pacman: The Musical!" Featuring Nathan Lane as Pinky, Raul Esparza as Blinky, Barrett Foa as Inky and Laura Bernanti as Sue.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 2:34pm

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, together again in "Super Mario Bros.: The Musical."

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 2:48pm

Andrew Rannels as Q-Bert!

[John Adams]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 3:48pm

(EDIT: Never mind... already pointed out)



Updated On: 6/11/13 at 03:48 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/11/13 at 3:51pm

To be a bit of a stickler, the credits for Light in the Piazza say that it's based on Elizabeth Spencer's novel rather than the movie.

That's pretty interesting, I just recently caught the film on TCM and was surprised by how much of the design and characterization of the characters was taken right from the film. I didn't realize how much the film had influenced the show, though the show is a million times better.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/12/13 at 6:10pm

The concept of "Man Of La Mancha" was taken from a television special called "I Don Quixote."

[Aryn007]

Posted: 6/12/13 at 6:28pm

Kingdom Hearts the musical please!

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 6/12/13 at 7:52pm

And next year, you'll (possibly) have Aladdin and Big Fish competing.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 6/12/13 at 10:54pm

Well, there was a Pokemon ballet recently that was based on the video game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lBWFE9bAWs

And Japan has had two Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney musicals that received very good reviews. Scroll down for the video: the opening and closing theme is really catchy: http://kotaku.com/5913220/the-all+female-phoenix-wright-musical-is-better-than-the-game

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/13/13 at 1:06am

Most musicals over the years have tended to be based on either a true story or an adaptation from something in another medium. The original musical is rare. The original GOOD musical is even rarer.