| screen to stage - not good | |
| Posted by: | bearcat 07:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| Reading the reviews of Rocky, I am struck by the number which mention the show following the screen plot very closely (slavishly?), not only that: AKarls's performance is noted as being from the SStallone mold (10 years ago, who would have thought the SS and Bway musical would be directly linked?). Also, it's been posted here that MMazzie's performance in BOB is reminiscent of DWiest's in the film. Not only are the books by rote, the performances are following suit -as if that's a good thing. Years ago, films (and books and plays) were adapted: music indicating the points of a show as it coalesces in excitement and depth, music generating its momentum, and music expressing lyrically what could best be heightened by live performance. A show didn't necessarily follow source material (in these years, 'commodity').Characters were conflated and situations eliminated: Mame combined the characters of Gooch and the housemaid, and the memoirs scene is rather shortened. The liner notes of Applause note Comden&Green devising a way to make the show less all about Eve, and more about Margo, effectively dropping about 20 minutes of the film plot. Musical adaptations had a different title (most times), and I think the attitude of audiences was "let's see what they'll do with this" rather than "how great to see our fave film live and in person." all this smacks of Peter Pan on Ice and other Disney movies brought to skating rink. Some years ago, shows became "attractions" by world-wide popularity and longevity. (Phantom+) now, production values are getting ultimate attention and the book-music are at best, "make do." Can you imagine Fiddler's finale incorporating all the devises the film's conclusion used - charming simplicity turns to overkill and kills the tone of a great musical. I know this has been thought-posted before, but I find this all extremely distressing, and wanted to state my ever-declining interest in current musicals ("spectacles with music") | |
| reply to this message | | |
| Iconic Movies | |
| Posted by: | FriendofDorothy 10:32 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | screen to stage - not good - bearcat 07:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| Successful film to stage translations I think have to fall into one of two categories: "up the ante" on the original product (The Producers did this) by keeping almost all of the plot (and comic) elements of the original, and then adding tons more funny bells and whistles; the other: take the heart and vague storyline, and completely redo it. The Fully Monty did that. The challenge with a show like Rocky (which I am looking forward to seeing and suspect I will very much like) is that the "Producers" treatment won't work because it isn't a rauckus comedy; and because of its iconic status both with the general public, but also with its target audience, they can't exactly morph it into a new identity with the same heart. I hear what you are saying, Bearcat. But in adapting a very well-known film, you have I think a very narrow path to follow to being successful; on the plus side that well known film is probably most or all of the reason the creative team and cast are even getting the assignment. I suspect this task is probably more of a challenge for the Bullets team than for Rocky; if the lovable lughead underdog charms the girl and fights his heart out, the audience will like Rocky the guy and the show. If Bullets isn't a precision-crafted comic gem that is both true to and different from the original, I think many people who go see it will be disappointed (even if they would love the identical show had they never seen the movie). For what it's worth, the Wood Allen film most ripe for a magical musicalization, in my opinion, is Radio Days. Better than Bullets in my book, with a heart much deeper, totally dripping with nostalgic charms. | |
| reply to this message | | |
| re: I strongly disagree with certain points...... | |
| Posted by: | bway1430 10:27 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | screen to stage - not good - bearcat 07:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| At today's inflated ticket prices I cannot blame Broadway audiences for: 1) Wanting to see something based on what they are already slightly familiar with and 2) Demanding spectacle. But this seasonal clutching of the pearls over "spectacles", musicals based on movies and the numerous attempts at jukebox musicals seems a bit over-dramatic. There are still daring, original writers out there producing interesting shows, not all of which are based on a blockbuster film or that rely on special effects. NEXT TO NORMAL, SPRING AWAKENING, IN THE HEIGHTS, DROWSY CHAPERONE, CAROLINE OR CHANGE, AVE Q, BOOK OF MORMON come to mind and there are many more out there. I couldn't care less if a show is based on a hit film, WITH a non-original score AND a spectacle that costs millions as long as I think the show surrounding/supporting it is worth my time and I leave the theatre feeling that I escaped into the show that was created. I guess you could say I am definitely not a purist and that's ok too. A handful of hit spectacles is not going to be the end of musical theatre as we know it. Spectacles/film adaptations/jukebox musicals may not be the type of show that critics and/or purists like, but it will keep folks employed and audiences interested in the form who may occasionally take a chance on something less "commercial" from time to time. Flame away. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| I couldn't care less if a show is based on a hit film, WITH a non-original score AND a spectacle that costs millions as long as I think the show surrounding/supporting it is worth my time and I leave | |
| Posted by: | jero 09:44 am EDT 03/18/14 |
| In reply to: | re: I strongly disagree with certain points...... - bway1430 10:27 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| that was my response to Priscilla in London. loved it. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: I couldn't care less if a show is based on a hit film, WITH a non-original score AND a spectacle that costs millions as long as I think the show surrounding/supporting it is worth my time and I le | |
| Posted by: | bway1430 12:42 am EDT 03/19/14 |
| In reply to: | I couldn't care less if a show is based on a hit film, WITH a non-original score AND a spectacle tha ... - jero 09:44 am EDT 03/18/14 |
|
| |
| Me too. I loved it about 7 times! | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: screen to stage - not good | |
| Posted by: | dlittle 08:45 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | screen to stage - not good - bearcat 07:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| This exact argument is one of the reasons that I love "Once" so much. It's been transformed from a filmic language to a theatrical one. It is very much a creature of the theater. I'm not opposed to screen to stage adaptations if the people engaged to handle the transfer can give the property a reason to exist as a play. When I walk out of a show wishing that I had just rented the movie for $4.00 instead of dropping $80.00+, I get upset. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| You just described... | |
| Posted by: | finally 11:03 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | re: screen to stage - not good - dlittle 08:45 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| Exactly how I felt leaving Beaches the Musical in your last sentence. If your show has nothing more to offer over the movie, why bother? | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: You just described... | |
| Posted by: | Chromolume 12:20 am EDT 03/18/14 |
| In reply to: | You just described... - finally 11:03 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| It's also, conversely, one of the resons I thought making a film of Nine was not a good idea. 8 1/2 and Nine are very different properties - obviously Nine is based on the Fellini film, but it works on its own terms as a stage piece rather than seeming like just a stage version of the that film. And from the beginning I felt that the things that made Nine work onstage would not necessarily translate back to film so easily. And, in the end, I tend to think the musical film didn't serve either medium very well - it had to make too many changes to the musical to represent the musical property itself, but it also just didn't seem like a great film in its own right. They should have just tried to do a remake of 8 1/2 (though why anyone would want to do that would be beyond me, lol). | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: screen to stage - not good | |
| Posted by: | ryhog 08:39 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | screen to stage - not good - bearcat 07:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| I started a thread above, linking an article I had read earlier today in the Daily Beast, hitting on some of the same chords you're sounding. Before giving up, might I suggest looking beyond Broadway. I'm afraid Broadway is, for the moment at least, merging into spectacle. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| Fiddler was based on a movie? nmi | |
| Posted by: | KingSpeed 07:42 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | screen to stage - not good - bearcat 07:35 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| nmi | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Fiddler was based on a movie? nmi | |
| Posted by: | bearcat 07:49 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
| In reply to: | Fiddler was based on a movie? nmi - KingSpeed 07:42 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| KingSpeed- I was using Fiddler as an example of a genuinely crafted show that would be killed by all these effects so currently valued at such a premium. I am sorry you chose to pick that one item from my post and not respond to my overall perspective. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Fiddler was based on a movie? nmi | |
| Posted by: | jrjr 01:17 am EDT 03/18/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Fiddler was based on a movie? nmi - bearcat 07:49 pm EDT 03/17/14 |
|
| |
| The Tevya and his Daughters was a Play of the Week based on the stories and Arnold Perl got a special credit and royalty to him and his widow on all productions of the Fiddler musical. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Fiddler was based on a movie? nmi | |
| Posted by: | AlanScott 05:21 pm EDT 03/18/14 |
| In reply to: | re: Fiddler was based on a movie? nmi - jrjr 01:17 am EDT 03/18/14 |
|
| |
| That was really just a billing thing. Perl threatened to cause problems if they didn't give him credit and royalties. I don't think that Tevya and His Daughters was a Play of the Week. The World of Sholom Aleichem was on Play of the Week, and it was quite wonderful (and is now available on DVD). | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
All That Chat is intended for the discussion of
theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)
Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.
[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Restaurant Revue | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]
Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]
Time to render: 0.580462 seconds.