Thomas Kail, For Some Reason, Is Remaking FIDDLER ON THE ROOF — Page 3

I'm rewatching FIDDLER ON THE ROOF on Blu-ray now. I think, as far as traditional Broadway classics go, this is the best film adaptation we'll see of the property. 

Also, I believe CABARET is the best film adaptation of a Broadway musical ever done. It became a drama with music as opposed to a traditional film musical. It worked for the medium. Just my opinion.

I don't believe that every film musical considered a classic is untouchable. I think it would be interesting to see a new take on MY FAIR LADY...but still keeping the show set in the time it depicts...not a PC version that alters Shaw to fit some of today's audience comfort levels. That said, while enjoyable, the film comes across as a bit stilted today.

Then again, we're talking about musicals and film musicals. They're, for the most part, wonderful things of the past. Sure, there are interesting musicals produced today, but they're very different from the lion's share of past Broadway musicals that defined the genre.

Finally, I still believe that Jewison's film adaptation of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is perfection.

P.S. Can we stop referring to Kail as the director of the HAMILTON film? He directed the Broadway production that was captured for eventual release. He did not adapt HAMILTON for a movie production. There's a big difference. Kail preserved his Broadway production, he did not adapt it for a motion picture version.

 

MichelleCraig said: "I'm rewatching FIDDLER ON THE ROOF on Blu-ray now. I think, as far as traditional Broadway classics go, this is the best film adaptation we'll see of the property.

Also, I believe CABARET is the best film adaptation of a Broadway musical ever done. It became a drama withmusic as opposed to a traditional film musical. It worked for the medium. Just my opinion.

I don't believe that every film musical considered a classic is untouchable. I think it would be interesting to see a new take on MY FAIR LADY...but still keeping the show set in the time it depicts...not a PC version that alters Shaw to fit some of today's audience comfort levels. That said, while enjoyable, the film comes across as a bit stilted today.

Then again, we're talking about musicals and film musicals. They're, for the most part, wonderful things of the past. Sure, there are interesting musicals produced today, but they're very different from the lion's share of past Broadway musicals that defined the genre.

Finally, I still believe that Jewison's film adaptation of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is perfection.

P.S. Can we stop referring to Kail as the director of the HAMILTON film? He directed the Broadway production that was captured for eventualrelease. He did not adapt HAMILTON for a movie production.There's a big difference. Kail preserved his Broadway production, he did not adapt it for a motion picture version.

"My Fair Lady could do with the Kail treatment 

 

bear88 said: "There’s going to be a revival ofGreat Cometwith Mandy Patinkin in 2022? What'd I miss? Or is this just a crazy rumor?"

 

It's a joke - because Patinkin was cast in Great Comet but pulled about because of the Oak debacle. 

 

 

re "a better use of his talents," fair enough but in America we still let each person decide what is the best use of their talents, no?

re the PS and following up on Tag, first, what difference does it make and second, as stated, he did in fact direct the filmed version. There were probably in excess of a thousand individual directing choices made for the film. Like everything else we say these things about routinely here, these things don't just magically happen. He earned the credit.

Then Disney should of just paid the 75 million for the Lincoln Center archival right? /eyeroll

^Wasn't he amazing?? He was the best actor I’ve ever seen live, playing that role.

Updated On: 5/29/20 at 12:13 AM

Yes, it was absolutely gorgeous at the Menier, and Andy and Judy Kuhn were such a heavenly combination. But Andy in particular was brilliant, he redefined the role for me.

I also saw it at the Playhouse and absolutely loved it. Though I do think I would've rather seen it at the Menier if I had been given the choice. 

bear88 said: "Jarethan said: "DramaTeach said: "I agree that the choreography in the most recent revival was gorgeous. I also second whoever suggested Mandy Patinkin. Based on the quarantine home videos that he posts of himself and his Golde eating matzah, he's basically already prepping for the role.

I sincerely hope that this is not a modern or multicultural version of the story. The story is about one group of people, and the plot is universal enough that all can relate to it no matter their background. And it shouldn't be modern, Yes, there's still prejudice, but again, this is something we can connect on our own. It doesn't need to be spelled out for us. I'm cautiously optimistic about the future of this."

Film has to be more realistic than stage productions. That is why, in the final analysis, Babs never made Gypsy and Glenn is never going to make Sunset. IMO Patinkin is 2 decades too old for the role; I will be shocked if he is chosen, despite being incredibly talented. Also, I think he is already committed to the revival of The Great Comet that is planned for 2022."

There’s going to be a revival ofGreat Cometwith Mandy Patinkin in 2022? What'd I miss? Or is this just a crazy rumor?"

I guess my rare jokes are still subtle.  Why would they revive The Great Comet any time soon?  It has been a financial failure 3 separate times.  (This is about reality, not quality).  In stating that he is much too old for the role, I wanted to make it a moot point by saying 'and he's not available any way'.

Serious question: should they only cast Jewish actors?

Well the 2004 revival took a lot of flack for being the most non-Jewish Fiddler.

There are definitely people out there who take issue with Goyim playing Jews - I remember there being some backlash with the recent London production of Falsettos. 

Personally, speaking as a Jew myself, I don't think it's an issue. If the actors are doing justice to the role, and it feels like they understand the culture being represented onstage, then I say go for it. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case - I've definitely seen some non-Jewish actors who clearly didn't understand Jewish culture, and didn't come off as Jewish to me at all. In general, I think jews just tend to be better at playing other Jews, understandably. But I don't think it's essential, in the way that it's essential to cast black people in black roles, etc.