Will the revival of ANNIE be influenced by the 1982 Film?

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 8:28am

So many revivals today can be influenced by film versions of shows that audiences would be more familiar with. The 1998 Sound of Music revival with Rebecca Luker was basically the 1965 film on stage - they changed everything and the heart of the original stage show was lost I felt. The 2006 London revival of Evita was influenced by the 1996 film version - for example A New Argentina is not set in the Perons' bedroom anymore, it is various scenes of Eva doing radio broadcasts, etc., I'm sure there's a lot of other examples...

Do you think that James Lapine's new production of ANNIE will be influenced by the 1982 film version? Will Warbucks come to visit Hannigan - will they incorporate the song 'Sign'? - I think it's a hoot of a song especially now that Finneran has joined the cast.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 8:54am

Lapine certainly has the option to do so if he likes. Whether he does it or not is anyone's guess.

[singtopher]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 9:05am

If he does, I can't wait for the whole helicopter chase sequence.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 9:06am

Only if he wants to emulate pablum.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 9:26am

MAYBE

[showchoirguy]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 9:43am

OR can we get (almost) everyone from the 1999 TV Movie?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 10:17am

I love the 1982 movie, but the only thing I wish the revival would take from it is the fact that Grace is a larger role, perfect for a dancer.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 10:18am

Then I guess we'll get "Tomorrow" out of the way in the first 2 minutes...

[Luscious]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 10:25am

God...I hope not.

[PVDColleen]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 10:59am

Luscious- you took the words right out of my mouth!

I remember going to see the film when it first came out....and REALLY hating it. I still really hate it.

[Overkill]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 1:05pm

Well, when they announced the entire revival, James Lapine said they were re-writing a lot of Act 2, to beef up Hannigan's part...

Maybe they'll throw in "Sign" with Warbucks and Hannigan - I really hope so. I LOVE that number.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 1:14pm

I really hope Hannigan gets more to sing in this revival!

[someone.else's.story2]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 1:22pm

As long as they don't add "Dumb Dog"! God, I hate that song!!!

[bdn223]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 1:24pm

We can all agree that the revival will be more influenced by the 1982 and 1999 films than the remake starring Willow Smith...

[jazzynat]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 4:46pm

Interesting theory...I think that a lot of us (me included) grew up with that version and not the Broadway show because there was no way at a young age I could see the musical. The original Broadway production debuted the year before I was born. My sister and I wore out our tape of the TV movie throughout our childhood...


Although I agree "dumb dog" is well, dumb. As a dancer I hope they incorporate Grace's dancing but I suspect that was more because of Ann Reinking's talents.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 4:56pm

The movie sucks. I don't know a nice way to say it. It's a dreary piece of garbage. I thought when I first saw it that I was just too hung up on the (wonderful) Broadway production, and I just couldn't get into any adaptation.

No.

The movie reeks to high Heaven, even when I give it the benefit of the doubt 30 years later.

I tried to watch it again about a month ago on an HD channel with a beautiful picture and sound on my big TV. I was hoping I could get into it and enjoy something about it.

I lasted 25 minutes, and I think I deserve a medal for doing so.

It's terrible. If they want the Broadway show to close in previews, they will emulate the movie. Otherwise, step as far away as possible. And hold your nose while you do it.

Updated On: 5/28/12 at 04:56 PM

[SingingChef]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 5:03pm

But will they add Punjab in...he's my favorite. And Drake.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 5:19pm

No. With Sound of Music when people think of the show now a days they automatically think of the '65 film so that's what they want to see. But I don't think that's the case with Annie. I would love to see a big Dance break in "I think I'm gonna like it here, though.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 5:29pm

I agree the movie's pretty awful, but I've loved it ever since I was a kid. I, too, wore it out and had to get another copy. Loved it dearly, and still watch it. Though I vastly prefer the musical.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 5:32pm

The original movie was godawful. I grew up on the Disney Channel version. I wore the VHS out.

[NoHSMisNotAMusical]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 6:16pm

I loved that movie. I still kinda do, but that may just be nostalgia. I think Lapine should go in an entirely different direction though.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 6:41pm

Believe me, I understand about loving movies as a child. So I don't want to take that away from anyone. This may be your favorite film, for that reason.

I loved the musical version of "Lost Horizon" by Burt Bacharach (1973) when I was ten. It's completely horrendous, but no one can tell me otherwise.

I adore it.

So there.

As for the Disney version of "Annie" (directed by Rob Marshall), it's very good, but it's "Citizen Kane" next to the sucky film version.

Updated On: 5/28/12 at 06:41 PM

[degrassifan]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 6:48pm

The 1998 Sound of Music revival with Rebecca Luker was basically the 1965 film on stage - they changed everything and the heart of the original stage show was lost I felt.

Actually, the 1998 revival of Sound of Music was the exact same as the original show except I Have Confidence and Something Good were added, My Favorite Things was moved to the bedroom, and The Lonely Goatherd replaced the Do Re Mi Reprise at the Festival. Besides these, everything else remained the same.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 7:13pm

This revival will feature the latest technology and won't bother with crappy, traditional scenery. It will use PROJECTIONS!!! Projections are IT. They were never used in past shows because those shows WEREN'T MODERN. LOL.

They will take the automated pig of that one recent Mackintosh flop and add the fur of Sandy. To expensive to train animals these days, ya know.

And the orchestrations...why do you want those 1970's, ancient, has been orchestrations? They will be dumped for something far more DYNAMIC and modern. Chances are, everyone will actually think the new version is more modern, even if it'll only be severely reduced in every way possible. WoW. The magic of theatre!!!

For the sake of Broadway, musicians, integrity, and live theatre, here's hoping I'm wrong.

*ding*

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 5/28/12 at 7:53pm

I grew up on both films the remake was top perfection.