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August 27, 2007
A Monster Musical
Some of the remake shows, including the jukebox musicals, reach well beyond their roots. The Lion King does. So does Jersey Boys. And of course, The Producers. For me, Spamalot is the example of where the line is clearest. The show is at its best when it uses the Python movie as a starting point for its wonderful musical hall style humor, way off the narrative. The show is at its worst when pandering to the audience that is expecting to see “It’s just a flesh wound” or “Pink… no blue… agghhhhh!” Some moments just don’t transfer. And I am pleased to report that Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan had the good sense to realize that the little girl on the see-saw flying back into her bed was just not going to make it as anything but a laugh of recognition in their show and left it out.
In point of fact, Young Frankenstein does a pretty damned good job of walking that line. Reading the reviews in Seattle after first seeing the show on Friday, I was surprised how unilaterally they all seemed to argue that the show suffered from the “already know the lines” syndrome, especially in kicking at some of the performances. Not I. I was actually quite pleased to find that six of the seven major performers really did find their own space in creating these legendary characters for the stage, even when uttering the same lines.
Posted by poland at August 27, 2007 12:37 PM
Comments
What we really need is a Blazing Saddles musical.
Posted by: Aladdin Sane ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 27, 2007 02:48 PM
Ultimately leading to a Silent Movie musical?
Posted by: jeffmcm at August 27, 2007 03:44 PM
Which is followed by SPACEBALLS: THE OPERA. May the Schwartz be with us ALL!
Posted by: IOIOIOI at August 27, 2007 04:52 PM
I think ethically, if they sell tickets to a show, it's open season for reviews.
This is a lot different than reviewing a test screening in movies.
Though I do miss the idea of the Boston/New Haven road to Broadway, those days are long gone.
This production is of only mild interest to me. Maybe if it comes to LA. But it does sound like something built on an assembly line. Even as great as the film was/is.
As for the film - I nominate it for best photographed comedy EVER!
Any takers? Who you got?
Posted by: The Carpetmuncher at August 27, 2007 04:52 PM
OK, I'll bite.
Best photographed comedies?
Fargo
Big Lebowski
Hudsucker Proxy
Dr. Strangelove
Royal Tenenbaums
Manhattan
Fight Club
American Beauty
Amelie
OK, I'm stretching the genre of comedy by putting in Fight Club, but....who ya'll got?
Posted by: The Carpetmuncher at August 27, 2007 05:01 PM
How could you put up that list, Munchy, without mentioning Adaptation?
And how can you mention well-photographed Coen Bros. films without mentioning Raising Arizona????
Clearly someone hasn't taken their self-medication today.
Somebody slap somebody!
Posted by: The Carpetmuncher at August 27, 2007 05:10 PM
I like Sutton Foster, but she looks kind of contrived done up as Inga to me. I think Kerry Butler or Jane Krakowski would've been much better choices.
Posted by: CaptainZahn at August 28, 2007 06:56 AM
Best photographed comedy: THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL. (Go ahead, look it up.)
Posted by: Cadavra at August 28, 2007 01:44 PM
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