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.
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