Why hasn't the Ahrens and Flaherty "Anastasia" been turned into a stage musical yet?

Why hasn't the Ahrens and Flaherty "Anastasia" been turned into a stage musical yet?
Really...I want to know!

Great story

Great existing music by two well know musical theatre composers who could easily write more music

Great characters

The latest "trend" in Broadway show

I know this has been commented on and asked about before, but I still don't know why it hasn't happened yet!

I just figured that this one would be an easier one to get people to invest in.

Becuse withe the cartoon movie availabe on DVD there is no need for it to be on stage. What would be gained?

A musical version on ANASTASIA called ANYA opened on Broadway in 1965 and flopped. The authors later revised it as THE ANASTASIA AFFAIRE but it never got beyond a regional staging.

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There's book problems.

Anastasia as done in this particular film was fictional enough, but now what really happened in 1918 has come out.

I don't think the mass murder of the Russian royal family along with several others followed by the bodies being stripped and thrown into a mineshaft only to be retrieved and buried in the middle of a country road is a proper denoument for a musical. Call me old fashioned.

Its an opera not a musical and not a feel good show either.

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"Oh BATB is entertaining and I know it ran for years, but there was nothing gained by doing it as a stage musical."

I think it gained quite a lot of money for Disney.

If you want a good laugh:

A Tearing-Apart of ANASTASIA:
http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thedudette/nostalgia-chick/1950-anastasia

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Updated On: 2/20/09 at 06:04 PM

Oh BATB is entertaining and I know it ran for years, but there was nothing gained by doing it as a stage musical.

I totally disagree. One of my most favorite musical theatre songs of all time is one of the new songs written for the stage version.

WOSQ - the film is a fantasy and does not relate to what happened to the family. The play Anastasia is also an excellent non musical show. Not every idea has to be historically accurate if it is a good show.

Batrok the bat would be a riot on stage just as the characters in Beauty and the Beast were.

Now that I think about it, a musical about Rasputin would be much more interesting.

What a shame they've already done the Boney M jukebox musical. Think there's room in the world for two? If we wipe out all memories of Daddy Cool?

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Updated On: 2/21/09 at 03:25 PM

I enjoyed the film very much. If it gets adapted for the stage, I would welcome it very much!

Actually, I wasn't thinking of basing a "jukebox musical" on *one* song by Boney M. I was thinking more of an actual musical about Rasputin, but whatever. Immaturity rules the day once again.

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"Oh BATB is entertaining and I know it ran for years, but there was nothing gained by doing it as a stage musical.

LION KING at least brought a unique visual look to the piece (but I still find the book and score weak.) "

Firstly, a lot was gained. In terms of commercial theatre, and why it exists, BEAST made a LOT of money, and continues to have huge success in regionals, and an upcoming NETworks tour.

Secondly, just because you (and I, actually) didn't enjoy LION KING doesn't mean millions haven't, including lots of kids who came out of that show wanting to see more Broadway shows. More gained.

LITTLE MERMAID is also on DVD, but I'd wager that Disney has no regrets about bringing that one to the stage, and dispite what many would argue is acrually a weak product, it's doing quite well.

ANASTASIA, imho, is a better animated musical than any of the aforementioned. It deserves a stage life. I'd invest in a heartbeat!

Now that I think about it, a musical about Rasputin would be much more interesting.

http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/4157
http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/7839

Updated On: 2/21/09 at 07:32 PM