weird ideas for musicals

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:50am

i know we all have weird or eccentric ideas on what would make a good musical, share them here.

my ideas are:

1) a thriller musical about a stalker who stalks an actress using only Sondheim lyrics - the notes he leaves her, the calls he makes, etc.

2) a musical of the GREAT film "Theatre of Blood"

3) R&H's "Cinderella" or "Once Upon a Mattress" done using the Japanese puppet technique of Kuruko (see the Scissor Sister's new video "She's My Man" on the site who's name not be mentioned)

4) a campy musical version of "The Golden Girls" using men in drag

5) Twlya Tharp "fairy tale" dance show utilizing the Madonna catalog or the Blondie catalog

6) a year in the life musical based on the Waitresses song "Christmas Wrapping"

7) my most fully realized weird idea would be a stage adaptation of "Grease 2" - maybe retitled "Son of Grease" - with the following cast:
Stephanie - Kate Reinders or Jane Krakowski
Michael - Christopher J. Hanke
Johnny - Hunter Foster
Paulette - Jane Krakowski or Felicia Finley
Sharon - Marissa Jaret Winokur
Frenchie - Jen Cody
Delores - Alisan Porter or Hallie Kate Eisenberg
Louis - David Burkta
Goose - Matt Morrison
Principal McGee - Lorna Luft
Blanche - Jackie Hoffman
Mr. Stuart - Peter Frechette
Miss Mason - Olivia Newton John

Updated On: 2/11/07 at 12:50 AM

[Weez]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 6:10am

It's not weird so much, but having been listening to 'Sweeney Todd' and 'Jekyll And Hyde' a lot lately, I'd really like a musical based on Jack the Ripper.

Weird ideas for musicals... I'd say the Bible, gang warfare in New York in the 1960s, classic French novel of poverty and rebellion, a Puerto Rican gang member murdering a couple people, the life of Eva Peron, the Profumo affair...

What do you *mean* all those already are musicals?

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 8:05pm

You got your wish. There's a free staged reading of Ripper, a new musical based on Jack the Ripper, on Monday at New World Stages on Monday (3/19). It looks like you can still reserve tickets at www.ripperthemusical.com and there's a highlights medley there. OK, you can't use the word 'murder' more than three times in a song without evoking Jekyll and Hyde, but what the hell, it's an opportunity to witness the creative process and I'll be there with an open mind and a notepad :)

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 8:08pm

a sequal to Phantom of the Opera.....wait

[jv92]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 8:11pm

Anyone here think Borat would be interesting as a musical? It certainly has a dramatic core and more offensive things (In My Life, Good Vibrations) have been presented onstage. If done by the right person, perhaps. My only fear is that it'll turn into a series of parodies.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 8:12pm

Super Mario Bros. The Show

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:23pm

The Exorcist:
I'm actually spending some of my free time writing this (I know there are so many better things I could be doing...) and I'm kind of stuck. My original intent was to spoof the style of "Carrie" by having the show take itself completely seriously, yet have these totally out-of-place dance numbers and cheesy songs. Then I thought about doing it as an actual musical adaptation of the novel/movie, but that seems like it would be a bit off-putting. I'm currently toying around with this idea: When the show starts (before the demon has entered into the story) the music is the kind of lush, flowing stuff you'd expect from the classic Broadway shows. When the demon begins to come into play, the music become more and more contemporary as the show progresses, bursting into a rock score whenever the deomon is actually in the scene. Finally, the show ends with a contemporary song with little hints of rock music to show that because of all that has happened to them, Reagan and her mother's lives will never be the same again. The "classical" songs would have tradition showtune titles, whereas the "rock" songs would be loud, rude, and shocking (titles I'm considering: "I'm Gonna Piss on You" and "Let Him F--k You").

Like I said...I could be spending my time on much better projects...

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:32pm

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the musical.

and a completely improvised musical.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:36pm

People on this board liked my idea so much that there may be one in the works as we speak But I'll say it anyway...

Phineas Gage: The Musical!

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:51pm

SweeneyPhanatic wrote:

When the demon begins to come into play, the music become more and more contemporary as the show progresses, bursting into a rock score whenever the deomon is actually in the scene.

Gramma was right. Rock and roll IS the Devil's music!

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:09pm

Fenchurch-
There was a group in Chicago that DID improvise musicals for a while...forget the name...

To whomever said Jack the Ripper-
Done it, London, mid 70's 3 preivews, no performances.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:12pm

These may not be weird, but...

The Life of Frederick Douglass by Ahrens and Flaherty, staring Brian Stokes Mitchell.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:12pm

A Clockwork Orange & Mutiny On The Bounty were tried in London as was Metropolis

Updated On: 3/13/07 at 10:12 PM

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:24pm

I think there ought to be a musical about the Supreme Court. (yeah, right.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:28pm

Starring The Supremes

Imagine a chorus line of robed clad dancers dancing to a ditty about a court ruling ala a number from Seesaw

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:29pm

Mr Roxy - wanna collaborate on this one?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:42pm

A musical about Ed Sullivan. And of course it would be called "A Really Big Show"

[Crapgame13]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:50pm

Cannonball Run: The Musical

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:53pm

A girl gets her period which unlocks telekinetic powers. Discuss.

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 11:05pm

Bundy5000, there actually is a piece called "Mario - the Opera". It's just a project and will never be professionally produced, but you can check it out here: http://www.the-mario-opera.com. The album is also in iTunes.

[Burning_Oasis]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 1:31am

About improvised musicals-


Theres an improv group in San Diego (The Funhouse, represent) that regurally improvises musicals based on audience members lives. WHen not about the audience they will do a musical in the style of (For example, there was one in the style of Urinetown, but it was about a town that outlawed Christmas.) Improvising musicals is difficult, but really fun.
Updated On: 3/14/07 at 01:31 AM

[RadiGal2]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 1:48am

I think Lamb The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal would be really interesting, it tells the story of the time between ages 13-and 30....including visits with all three wise men. It is some very clever and nifty writing-- that could make an interesting musical.

I always see it with and older and younger version of Biff the younger performing the actions of Jesus and Biff and the older reminiscing; perhaps a gentler and kinder sort of Biff with some gut-wrenching songs of lament and woe..

Updated On: 3/14/07 at 01:48 AM

[murron]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 6:28am

Let's add Lord of the Rings as well

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 7:02am

There are several musicals of "Jack The Ripper". Check out http://www.jacktherippermusical.com/ which has some really pretty music I think.

To the person who mentioned "The Exorcist", my stuff is totally insane and would totally fit something like that. If you can get blessings on it, count me in for that.

I'll add one too: "Terminator". I think the first movie could make a brilliant opera in the style of Greek tragedy *runs, avoiding flying objects*

[tazber]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 8:17am

RadiGal,

I seriously have been trying to adapt one of Chritopher Moore's books for some time now. In the style of the absurd. I actually think your idea is a good one.

And whodathunk a musical based on a fairly obscure documentary about two relcuses in the Hamptons would ever work?

I have said many times - anything can be a musical if done correctly.