What musical should Meron and Zadan do next?- Page 8

[justincharacter]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 6:54pm

I can see NBC taking another casting risk by lowering the keys of Peter's numbers and casting Daniel Radcliffe.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:06pm

Zadan and Meron have actually been trying to get Pan on a network for the past 8 years. Originally a filmed television production for ABC. But, ended up being shelved.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:35pm

Best -- I agree with you in theory on a lot of points - we'll just have to see how this plays out for a follow up production. One friend of mine who works in TV actually suggested that the entire production was designed and filmed as it is specifically to recall soap opera and Saturday Night Live - which are in effect the only 'reference' points that most people have for 'live' TV. Meaning that they went out of their way to create something that matched people's visual expectations of what "live" TV is. Otherwise, how would the event feel like it wasn't taped?

I like the idea of A CHRISTMAS STORY musical - that would be something fresh and different.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:36pm

FIDDLER is too dark for television, especially at Christmastime. And there's that whole Jewish thing. (It will have to come with Yiddish-to-Middle America subtitles. Do they know what 'mazel tov' means in Tennessee?)

HTSIBWRT is a great idea, except it's not family fare. And it's a musical satire. Without audience laughter, it's going to just lie there.

MY FAIR LADY is a very long show, about 2 3/4 hours, IIRC. They won't be able to shoehorn it into a 3-hour time slot and get the number of commercials they want.

BIRDIE may work, but the memory of the dreadful Jason Alexander/Vanessa Williams endeavor may kill it. Besides, those who were teenagers in 1960 are now grandparents (or great-grandparents if you live in Arkansas) so I don't see it having much mass appeal for today's families.

I vote for OLIVER!

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:39pm

MB, my only concern with A CHRISTMAS STORY is the sheer number of fantasy sequences. It might not translate onto the television screen with all of the breaking away from normal action and playing to the audience. I also wonder if the network would be willing to build so many sets for that kind of show.

I still think something like OLIVER or PETER PAN make the most sense.

[RW3]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:44pm

Since Miss Saigon is probably too "dark" for network television, these are my shows with casting choices.
R + H's Cinderella
Cinderella-Lea Michele
The Prince-Zac Efron
The King-Stephen Moyer
The Queen-Idina Menzel
The Stepsisters-Alli Mauzey and Kate Rockwell
Fairy Godmother-Audra McDonald

ALW's Evita
Evita-Christina DeCicco
Juan Peron-Michael Cerveris
Che-Ricky Martin
Magaldi-Max von Essen
Peron's Mistress-Rachel Potter

Wicked
Elphaba-Katharine McPhee
Glinda-Ashley Brown
Madame Morrible-Meryl Streep
Dr. Dillamond-Michael Park
Fiyero-Corey Cott
Nessarose-Kara Lindsay
The Wizard- James Cromwell
Boq-Matt Doyle

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:45pm

We ain't never seen a Jew west of the Mississippi!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:49pm

Beauty and the Beast? But I doubt you can do a Disney number on NBC since ABC is Disney.

ABC are you listening?????
Updated On: 12/7/13 at 07:49 PM

[best12bars]

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

Beauty and the Beast is a strong idea, and I wouldn't put it past Disney/ABC to beat NBC to the punch and schedule it (or something like it).

EDIT: It seems like Disney has been spending an unusual amount of time stealing other good ideas lately, like their Wicked ripoff (Oz the Great and Powerful), and their acquisitions of Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

They know a good idea when they steal one. And 18.5 million viewers is very appealing.

Updated On: 12/7/13 at 07:52 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:57pm

ABC should definitely get into the game. Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, even Tarzan might all be viable for TV productions.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 8:30pm

Just wait. We'll be hearing a announcement from ABC (Disney) soon. Anyone want to predict which musical will be first :P

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 8:35pm

Yes. I imagine BEAUTY... or MARY POPPINS would be the first selection, if that ever happened.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 8:41pm

I would love to see the original broadway production of Beauty replicated onto a soundstage. The ratings would be huge. I wonder if Disney would join the game?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 8:54pm

Fiddler is too dark but Oliver isn't? Oliver is pretty dark.

[HouGuy77002]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:13pm

Peter Pan is tired.

I wonder if Disney still owns the rights to R&H Cinderella...since they made the TV movie years ago. 2014 is a big year for Fairytales with "Malefincent" and "Into the Woods" being released by Disney...maybe a live production of Cinderella would follow Disney's business model...we'll see. "Beauty and the Beast" and "Mary Poppins" would be fun and could be great opportunities for stunt casting.

What ever show "they" do, will likely have a happy story that is family friendly and songs that are instantly recognizable. Gypsy might be considered...but the whole stripper aspect probably will kill it...even though it is totally PG...at most. What about "Promises, Promises"...Turkey Lurkey Time...too risque?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:15pm

Turkey Lurkey isn't risqué but the whole concept of "THE APARTMENT" as a place for men to have flings outside of their marriages is.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:15pm

On the other hand with Mary Poppins, it's like Sound of Music all over again...whoever they pick as Mary, she will be NO JULIE ANDREWS. I think we need to give that one a rest for a while.

I still vote for B and the B.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:17pm

Evita sounds like a great idea! The designs for the last revival would work really well on television. Gaga and Ricky would be interesting as Eva and Che. They could even get Marc Anthony as Peron.

As long as were discussing Disney titles, there's always the Beyonce Aida.

[HouGuy77002]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:20pm

Wasn't there talk of an Aida movie with Beyonce and Christina Aguilera a few years ago? Make it happen Disney! But Christina is probably contracted to NBC...so probably not her.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:21pm

I was thinking about AIDA with the rumored film cast (Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera).

[all that jazz]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:24pm

Gaga is beyond perfect for Amneris. I'd rather see Zac Efron than Justin.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:26pm

Um, no. Zac doesn't have the voice for Radames.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:29pm

Evita will never pass the censors of network tv.

"Screw the middle classes..."
"Her only good parts are between..."

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:30pm

They will never do musicals like AIDA or EVITA. Never.

People really need to put themselves in the mindset of a television executive, not a theatre fan, if this is going to be a realistic discussion.

[HouGuy77002]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 9:32pm

What about "Chicago" with Benyonce or JLo as Velma, Hugh Jackman as Billy, and Ashley Simpson (or someone else) as Roxy...you hear me NBC?!?!