Tonys 2008: Movies make for good musicals
As the buzz builds for the upcoming movie version of "Sweeney Todd," now is a good time to take a first look at this season's Tony Awards race for best musical. After all, the legit version of the tale of the demon barber of Fleet Street won 8 Tonys in 1979. Back then, Sweeney and company beat back challenges from high-kicking hookers ("The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"), middle-aged romantics ("Ballroom"), and mismatched composers ("They're Playing our Song"). This year's choice for top honors could well be found among five tuner versions of Hollywood hits and misses.
The surprise of the summer was "Xanadu," a cheeky spoof of the camp 1980 movie classic that starred Olivia Newton-John as a Greek goddess who returns to earth just in time for the roller disco craze. Douglas Carter Beane, who penned last year's best play nominee "The Little Dog Laughed," did a deft adaptation of the sappy script while Christopher Ashley handled the helming. Stars Kerry Butler and last-minute replacement Cheyenne Jackson won over the critics and a growing band of 'fanadus' could carry this little show along till next spring.
The Rialto rumor mill is a-churning about "Young Frankenstein." Naysayers wonder whether Mel Brooks and company can repeat the feat of "The Producers," which won a record 12 Tony Awards back in 2001? As the out of town reviews were good though not rhapsodic, all involved knew that there was work to be done. Previews of the new (and hopefully improving) show began at the Hilton Theater on October 11. Star Roger Bart, in the Gene Wilder role of the would-be mad scientist, hurt his back two days later. The Tony-winning actor has missed many performances since, with no date announced for his return. With the November 8 opening fast approaching, will critics end up reviewing his understudy - Matthew LaBanca - a chorus member making his Broadway debut?
"The Little Mermaid" opened in Denver the same night that Mel's monster mash began in Seattle. Critics there dismissed this waterlogged stage adaptation of the classic toon. Hoping to recapture the magic that made "The Lion King" into a smash hit show, the Disney machine hired another avant-garde creative team. However, the reviews made it clear that opera director Francesca Zambello was no Julie Taymor. There is concern that this tuner could turn into another "Tarzan" – that highflying show slid off the vine last summer after only a 14 month run. Previews begin November 3 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in anticipation of a December 6 opening.
While several of this week's San Diego preview performances of "A Catered Affair" had to be cancelled due to the ongoing wildfires, the show had already announced an extension of its run at the Old Globe till mid November. Reviews for this low-key show based on a 1950s film about a Bronx family's struggles to pay for their daughter's wedding were generally good. With words and music by cabaret vet John Bucchino and a script by star and Tony favorite Harvey Fierstein, this tuner could hit just the right note with critics and voters when it comes to town next April.
Finally, can another John Waters movie be spun into Broadway musical gold? Following the success of "Hairspray," winner of eight Tony Awards in 2003, "Cry-Baby" is getting the tuner treatment. The 1990 celluloid version starred "Sweeney Todd's" Johnny Depp as a bad boy who won over good girls by shedding a single tear. Michael Riedel of the New York Post reports that the recent workshop is a winner.
Broadway vets Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Tony winners for their "Hairspray" book, handle scripting while newcomers David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger turn out music and lyrics. Javerbaum has won seven Emmys as writer and exec producer of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" while Schlesinger is an Oscar nominated composer ("That Thing You Do!") and bassist for the band Fountains of Wayne. The show is set to begin a six-week preview run at the La Jolla Playhouse on November 18 and, if all goes well, come into New York in March.
A Catered Affair did not get bad reviews -- it actually got quite good reviews, except from the LA Times. And have you seen it? It's really wonderful...
Posted by: Lizzy B. | October 29, 2007 at 07:11 AM
Xanadu and Young Frankenstein look solid for Tony 08...Little Mermaid is a little iffy...and A Catered Affair which got bad reviews in So. Calif....might bomb if it doesn't fine-tune it in time for Broadway...
Posted by: Frankie R. | October 26, 2007 at 11:38 AM