Originally Posted by davidh777

Second acts are at a natural disadvantage in musicals. They're usually shorter than first acts, and the music is often reworked from the first act. I agree Wicked has some interesting stuff in the second act, but it's generally not as listenable as what's in the first act--intense and very plot-driven. I can drop the needle any time on The Wizard and I or Not That Girl.

Lea also sang Defying Gravity in the first-season diva-off. (My kid was a fan of Wicked but had never seen Glee--I had her watch that scene, and she rewatched it a number of times, and now she's a huge Glee fan.) Obviously her physical resemblance to Idina Menzel plays a part in it, not that that really matters, but a track record of having performed a huge number like that looks very good on a resume. If she's gunning for the part, Ryan Murphy should be her campaign manager. Yes, she looks young for mid-20s, but the character starts out as college age, and makeup should be able to help there.

Originally Posted by Draven

Yep. Ensemble cast member with a semi-professional group here in town. Cast consensus was the music was great and the story wasn't. Also, there are like three different versions of the show with the same music and different scripts, so even the creators don't know what to do with it.

You can see what a mess it is on the Wikipedia page.

Originally Posted by fleggett

There's also a TV mini-series (supposedly) in the works. I would imagine this would be based off of the novel instead of the musical, as it wouldn't make much sense to adapt a 2-hour stage play into a 4-hour TV drama (well, more like 2.75 hours minus commercials). Unless, of course, you added a song or two and expanded the narrative sequences.

It would be fascinating to see Maguire's novel realized visually. For those on the fence, it is a RICH world directly and indirectly connected to Baum's writings. And except for a few necessary tweaks here and there, Maguire doesn't really contradict the 1939 MGM production, which is somewhat extraordinary given Maguire's incredibly dark take on Oz.

davidh777, I do intend to purchase the Grimmerie once I can free up some cash. I had the chance to buy one at the production I attended, and I almost did, but then the cast offered that signed poster and it was one or the other. For obvious reasons, I chose the poster. Which was for the best, as you can get the Grimmerie for far cheaper on Amazon.

Speaking of tie-in books, have you seen THIS? I don't usually go for pop-up books, but I gotta admit, this looks really cool. This wasn't sold at the Orlando stage production, which is a bit odd, as I imagine it would've gone over like gangbusters, especially for the younger members of the audience.

Ghostbuster, it'll be interesting to hear your take on the musical since you've already read the novel. In my case, I saw the stage production first, not knowing anything about Maguire's book. After having read the novel, I'm still amazed (and somewhat flabbergasted) that greater minds than I had the imagination to adapt it into such a successful theatre extravaganza. Although I suppose most anything can be converted into a stage musical (Spider-Man? Evil Dead? Really?).

<sigh> I would love for Chess to come to town.

Originally Posted by fleggett

Damn, I forgot about Lea singing DG in Glee. In fact, I may've missed that entire episode....

Regarding Chess, personally, I think they should've just stayed with the whole cold war motif and tweaked it as needed. I mean, really, why bother making it "modern"? Would you replace all the cars in Grease or West Side Story with Lamborghinis and BMWs and get rid of the mullets? People can handle "period pieces" just fine. Hair and Hairspray are still being successfully staged, along with probably a host of other productions set in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. But Chess is dated because we're no longer at the Russians' throats?

Draven, that's beyond cool. Congrats!

Originally Posted by Giles

what? you haven't heard the cast recording of Toxic Avenger: The Musical - it's rather hysterical.

Even though it isn't based on a movie, but of a rag-mag article Batboy: The Musical was at one point supposed to be filmed by John Landis.

Originally Posted by Draven

Toxic Avenger was easily the best show I saw the last time I was in New York. I've never laughed that hard at a musical.

And I start rehearsals as the Sheriff in Bat Boy next week - another show I love. Damn funny too.

Originally Posted by Giles

okay,

1) maybe that was plan on the part of Ryan Murphy in casting Lea to have the reveal of Idina's character as her mother - wow, could see that a mile away.

Originally Posted by Giles

as someone who saw 'Grease' as a movie first - I've loved the songs, but the cast looked way TOO old IMO. I recently saw the Olney Theater production and that was so much better than the film version, the song placement is different (and better) although 'Sandy' is not in the original Broadway version of the musical. It also featured more dancing and was far more energetic. The dialogue, smoking, under-age drinking, and sexual allusions at times is a lot racier than what was in the PG rated film version.

Originally Posted by Draven

And I start rehearsals as the Sheriff in Bat Boy next week - another show I love. Damn funny too.

Originally Posted by fleggett

For those of you who fell in love with Wicked (as I did), I thought y'all might get a kick out of this:







(Sorry for the flaring, but it's damned hard to shoot something under glass.)

After the show, the cast offered some "goodies" to those in attendance. For $50, you could obtain a Wicked poster signed by the entire performing cast. All the proceeds went to a breast cancer charity. For $100, you could receive a backstage tour. I was with others, so the tour was out, but I just had to get a poster.

The two shots of the leads (Jackie Burns and Emily Ferranti) I got off of Yahoo! pictures and had printed at a local FedEx Office on thick stock. The Wicked logo I downloaded from the official website (I had to do a little Photoshopping), also printed at FedEx Office. After some research, the closest font I could find was something called Ravenscroft. The Playbill is an actual Playbill distributed before the show. The plate was manufactured at United Trophy and the framing was done at Sam Flax (for a very reasonable price).

All the elements are inset from the front board material, which gives it a rich 3-dimensional look.

I think it turned out beautifully.

Originally Posted by davidh777

I've seen The Lion King twice (subscription--don't judge me ) and the first time , it qualified as a "magical moment," and I think I actually caught my breath.

Originally Posted by candyrocket786

That is badass!

Originally Posted by fleggett

Thanks!


Really?! That's awesome! Do you know how long she'll occupy the role? Do you think she'll still be in the show come May?

Originally Posted by Rypro 525

I was surprised they never filmed a version of the play for dvd when Chenowith and Menzel were both there.
in the mean time

Originally Posted by Giles

^ since you noted that Radcliffe and Larroquette are leaving, that would be ripe to film and release to movie theaters via Fathom/Sony's Hot Ticket for 'one night'

Originally Posted by Dr. DVD

Don't know if it's time to create a thread or not, but apparently they are moving forward with the movie version of Les Miserables directed by Tom Hooper. They have a major A-list cast including Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe (don't know about that decision), maybe Geofferey Rush (playing someone other than Javert this time around). There is apparently a big competition for the role of Eponine (who is just a supporting character) between Lea Michele, Scarlett Johannsen, Evan Rachel Wood, and Taylor Swift (talk about stunt casting).

Originally Posted by Giles

as someone who saw 'Grease' as a movie first - I've loved the songs, but the cast looked way TOO old IMO. I recently saw the Olney Theater production and that was so much better than the film version, the song placement is different (and better) although 'Sandy' is not in the original Broadway version of the musical. It also featured more dancing and was far more energetic. The dialogue, smoking, under-age drinking, and sexual allusions at times is a lot racier than what was in the PG rated film version.