The Princess Bride - The Musical - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Redlemon · 08-15-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Composer Adam Guettel and screenwriter William Goldman will collaborate on a musical version or the hit fairy tale film "The Princess Bride," the New York Post reported.

The 1987 Rob Reiner-directed, Goldman-penned movie fits the teasing description Guettel gave for his next project, while speaking backstage at the 2005 Tony Awards. While hesitant to specifically name his next musical due to "legal reasons," he did say it would have a "fairy tale" nature and would involve "a lot of swordfighting."

"The Princess Bride" delighted audiences with its mix of sincere medieval magic and mocking parody of the swashbuckling film genre. The flick starred Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as each other's true love, and Chris Sarandon as the evil prince who would keep them apart. The film also starred Mandy Patinkin as a swordsman out for vengeance, Christopher Guest as another baddie, Wallace Shawn and Andre the Giant as two unlikely compatriots, and Billy Crystal and Carol Kane as an ancient wizard and his wife.

The material would make for a decided shift to the lighthearted for Guettel, whose two previous musicals, Floyd Collins and The Light in the Piazza, both examine the darker and moodier sides of human nature.

Goldman is a famed screenwriter known for the films "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "All the President's Men" and "Marathon Man." He also wrote the classic examination of the Broadway world, "The Season."

Possibilities, possibilties. The book was great, the movie was great. Fairytales and musicals are a natural fit. But, can it work without the original actors? Of course, I haven't seen Spamalot yet, either; that would be a perfect testcase.

Charlatan · 08-15-2005, 09:44 AM

From everything I've heard Spamalot is great...

I am not generally a fan of musicals but could see myself going to Avenue Q, Spamalot and this...

maleficent · 08-15-2005, 10:01 AM

The Wally schawn, billy crystal and andre the giant characters would be tough having anyone else play the part, but buttercup and cary elwes character could be played by anyone.. i dont think their mannerisms are so set to that actor.

it would be fun as a musical... imagine the ROUS on the great white way... they could just go into the subways to find them...

mystmarimatt · 08-15-2005, 10:23 AM

Hmm...

I'm not sure how I feel about this. In the last 10 years, there has been a surge of adaptations to hit Broadway, whether of movies, (The Producers, Spamalot, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Lion King, Beauty And The Beast) or of hit music (All Shook Up, Good Vibrations, Mama Mia, Movin' Out, Lennon) And the truth of the matter is that these adaptations are really very hit or miss, They're either rancid (All Shook Up and Good Vibrations) or they're completely lauded (The Lion King, The Producers ).

But in all, the truth is that these adaptations really end up being superficial. As funny as Spamalot may be, the producers and directors of these adaptations are, on some level forced to pander to the fanbase of the originals. I saw Good Vibrations on Broadway when it was still running, because the lead was a family friend. We had a long talk discussing that the show itself, the book, was pure, unadulterated shit, and that they were compltely relying on the talents of the cast (which were, admittedly, some of the best I've ever seen) and the catchyness and nostalgia of music of the Beach Boys to pull the show along and make it a hit. I can even admit that The Producers isn't the rock-solid amazing piece of theatre so many people believe it is. The music is marginal, and it really subsides on the draw power of whoever are playing the leads at any particular moment.

The truth is, going into shows like Spamalot and The Producers, of which the movies have a cult following, a large part of the fan base is there with expectations of seeing certain things from those movies, some of which can't properly be transferred to the stage, and then these die-hard fans get all hot and bothered, so, in this, the directors and actors and creators of these shows are forced to make lots of compromises. And that isn't good in a world that should strive for originality and creativity.

What it comes down to is the money. Producers are looking for a quick hit that will bring a ton of money. Broadway, with the rare exception of some brilliant shows right now (listen to Wicked, or go read Doubt or The Pillowman, or just look at stuff that's OFF Broadway) has just become a money pit, full of marginal shows.

As far as The Princess Bride is concerned... I love the movie. Love it. It's one of my all time favorites. And I'd hate to see a movie so wonderful be broken down, and compartmentalized, stripping it of what I love, throwing in some fancy songs written by a guy who just won a Tony, just so somebody can make a few bucks off of a bad adaptation. I am one of those die-hard fans who will be ripping out my hair if they do a bad job of it.

Oh yeah, and I didn't even like the score to Adam Guettel's The Light In The Piazza.

Redlemon · 08-15-2005, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystmarimatt

I can even admit that The Producers isn't the rock-solid amazing piece of theatre so many people believe it is. The music is marginal, and it really subsides on the draw power of whoever are playing the leads at any particular moment.

I'm going to (dis)agree with you on that. The music is marginal, but the book is solid. I saw a touring production, and I have no idea who was performing. I saw the movie once, probably 16 years ago, and only recalled the outline and a couple of key scenes. I thought the musicalization was excellent.

Quote:

What it comes down to is the money. Producers are looking for a quick hit that will bring a ton of money. Broadway, with the rare exception of some brilliant shows right now (listen to Wicked, or go read Doubt or The Pillowman, or just look at stuff that's OFF Broadway) has just become a money pit, full of marginal shows.

I'm guessing you aren't looking forward to the musical version of The Lord of the Rings, then? Ewww.....

mystmarimatt · 08-15-2005, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

I'm guessing you aren't looking forward to the musical version of The Lord of the Rings, then? Ewww.....

Quote:

Variety reports that Rings, originally announced for a West End bow, will open at the Princess of Wales Theater March 23, 2006. Previews are expected to begin Feb. 2. Matthew Warchus, who directed the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, will helm the production, which will feature a 65-member Canadian cast.

A 65-member cast? Jesus...I don't think even the largest shows on Broadway have above, like, 30 people. Huge, 65-member casts aren't exactly fiscally sound these days.

And you're right. That news makes me want to gouge out my own eyes.

You're also right about the book for The Producers, it is actually fairly good, but for my tastes, in looking at the show, especially a musical, marginal songwriting just kills it for me. I can, on some level, maybe forgive a bad book. But bad music? In a musical?

Xazy · 08-15-2005, 01:34 PM

Inconceivable!

But yes I would consider seeing it depends on what I hear the review.

08-15-2005, 09:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	From everything I've heard Spamalot is great... I am not generally a fan of musicals but could see myself going to Avenue Q, Spamalot and this... __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

08-15-2005, 10:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	The Wally schawn, billy crystal and andre the giant characters would be tough having anyone else play the part, but buttercup and cary elwes character could be played by anyone.. i dont think their mannerisms are so set to that actor. it would be fun as a musical... imagine the ROUS on the great white way... they could just go into the subways to find them... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-15-2005, 10:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
mystmarimatt Omnipotent Ruler Of The Tiny Universe In My Mind Location: Oreegawn	Hmm... I'm not sure how I feel about this. In the last 10 years, there has been a surge of adaptations to hit Broadway, whether of movies, (The Producers, Spamalot, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Lion King, Beauty And The Beast) or of hit music (All Shook Up, Good Vibrations, Mama Mia, Movin' Out, Lennon) And the truth of the matter is that these adaptations are really very hit or miss, They're either rancid (All Shook Up and Good Vibrations) or they're completely lauded (The Lion King, The Producers ). But in all, the truth is that these adaptations really end up being superficial. As funny as Spamalot may be, the producers and directors of these adaptations are, on some level forced to pander to the fanbase of the originals. I saw Good Vibrations on Broadway when it was still running, because the lead was a family friend. We had a long talk discussing that the show itself, the book, was pure, unadulterated shit, and that they were compltely relying on the talents of the cast (which were, admittedly, some of the best I've ever seen) and the catchyness and nostalgia of music of the Beach Boys to pull the show along and make it a hit. I can even admit that The Producers isn't the rock-solid amazing piece of theatre so many people believe it is. The music is marginal, and it really subsides on the draw power of whoever are playing the leads at any particular moment. The truth is, going into shows like Spamalot and The Producers, of which the movies have a cult following, a large part of the fan base is there with expectations of seeing certain things from those movies, some of which can't properly be transferred to the stage, and then these die-hard fans get all hot and bothered, so, in this, the directors and actors and creators of these shows are forced to make lots of compromises. And that isn't good in a world that should strive for originality and creativity. What it comes down to is the money. Producers are looking for a quick hit that will bring a ton of money. Broadway, with the rare exception of some brilliant shows right now (listen to Wicked, or go read Doubt or The Pillowman, or just look at stuff that's OFF Broadway) has just become a money pit, full of marginal shows. As far as The Princess Bride is concerned... I love the movie. Love it. It's one of my all time favorites. And I'd hate to see a movie so wonderful be broken down, and compartmentalized, stripping it of what I love, throwing in some fancy songs written by a guy who just won a Tony, just so somebody can make a few bucks off of a bad adaptation. I am one of those die-hard fans who will be ripping out my hair if they do a bad job of it. Oh yeah, and I didn't even like the score to Adam Guettel's The Light In The Piazza. __________________ Words of Wisdom: If you could really get to know someone and know that they weren't lying to you, then you would know the world was real. Because you could agree on things, you could compare notes. That must be why people get married or make Art. So they'll be able to really know something and not go insane. Last edited by mystmarimatt; 08-15-2005 at 10:28 AM..

08-15-2005, 01:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Xazy People in masks cannot be trusted Location: NYC	Inconceivable! But yes I would consider seeing it depends on what I hear the review.