Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of the headline: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/News-HID.asp?ID=29792" target="_blank"><b>Headlines: Variety: Newsies Stage Production in Development</b></a> Among the projects currently under development by Disney Theatrical Productions is a "Peter and the Starcatchers" which will get its first public showcase in a no-critics run this spring as part of the Page to Stage program at the La Jolla Playhouse. Also mentioned in the article as developing are projects based on Jules Pfeiffer's book "The Man in the Ceiling" and a stage version of the movie musical "Newsies."
Originally Posted By Rebekah Given the name recognition of Kenny Ortega (now of High School Musical fame) I'm not surprised to see Disney bring back out "Newsies" which he directed. I think it was at the premiere of HSM2 where the film was brought up to the director in a panel discussion and a number of people in the audience applauded at the film's mention.
Originally Posted By ToonKirby This has been rumored for so long, I hope it finally gets done. Sometime within the last year Alan Menken mentioned that he was working on it. - kch
Originally Posted By leemac Did I miss something? Where is Newsies mentioned in the article? Has it been edited since Variety first released the info?
Originally Posted By u k fan A Newsies musical would be cool as long as Hunchback comes to London first. I wish Newsies had had some kind of release in the UK, it's nigh on impossible to even buy the soundtrack let alone the movie. Amazon is the only place I can find!!!
Originally Posted By leemac <<A Newsies musical would be cool as long as Hunchback comes to London first.>> Sadly we have the icky Mermaid coming to the London Palladium next year instead. Hunchback is being reworked by the folks that did High School Musical - Live on Stage! (ie. is a separate development group to the Broadway team that did TARZAN, Mermaid and Mary Poppins). I never saw Newsies in the theater but I always remember when it came out - for the Grand Opening of EuroDisneyland in '92 they had Newsies posters everywhere. It did look out of place in the Cheyenne lobby. I do like the movie - a lot (but then I did like the other Disney musical Swing Kids too - although I think it was a Touchstone release) but I don't think it is Menken's best by far. Seize the Day is the stand-out tune and it is fairly short (two minutes if I recall). However there is no denying that Kenny Ortega filmed it beautifully and the choreography was masterful. Which is why I'm as pleased as punch that he is having so much success with the HSM franchise now. He has paid his dues.
Originally Posted By u k fan <<<Hunchback is being reworked by the folks that did High School Musical - Live on Stage! >>> <<<Has visions of gargoyle cheerleaders! Is it more likely to be a touring production in that case? I'm not surprised we are getting Mermaid in the least, BatB was such a smash that it was inevitable!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I am with you UKFAN, I would much rather see Hunchback come to London (and I would love to see Tarzn too, even though I no that is VERY unlikely). I thought Sister Act was supposed to be London bound soon? Do you know Lee?
Originally Posted By leemac <<Is it more likely to be a touring production in that case?>> Yup. Broadway should have Lion King, Mermaid and Mary Poppins as the Disney contingent for the foreseeable future. <<I thought Sister Act was supposed to be London bound soon? Do you know Lee?>> Peter Schneider is re-working Sister Act for London. I believe Stage Entertainment (the folks responsible for most of Disney's European shows outside of London - like the two TARZANs) are producing the show. My understanding is that it could premiere next year.
Originally Posted By u k fan Sorry to be a pain, are we talking UK or US for Hunchback as Alan Menken is on record as saying London?!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan Just to clarify, I didn't mean that because Alan had said London that it wouldn't be touring, but you mention it alongside Disney's Broadway roster, not it's UK slate!!!
Originally Posted By leemac <<Sorry to be a pain, are we talking UK or US for Hunchback as Alan Menken is on record as saying London?!!!>> Really? Was that recent? My understanding is that it will be a US touring show.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed Lee, he was on Radio 2 a little while back, mentioning specifically Sister Act, and stating people shouldn't be surprised to see hunchback within the next few years.
Originally Posted By leemac I guess it is logical that Hunchback could tour the UK - the touring shows of HSM and Mary Poppins are hugely successful for the company. However I don't think the UK can support anything more than a few Disney touring shows (but then I'm amazed that the UK has two HSM shows - the touring one and the Hammersmith residency - running at the same time when the US has only one). My gut feeling is that HSM2 (and subsequently the third musical) are more likely for the UK.
Originally Posted By Doobie The article has been updated. The following was in the article originally: <<< La Jolla's Page to Stage series gives new scripts a three-week developmental run to which critics are not invited. Program alums include Aaron Sorkin's "The Farnsworth Invention," Billy Crystal's "700 Sundays" and Doug Wright's "I am My Own Wife," all of which went on to stints of the Rialto, with both "Sundays" and "Wife" picking up Tonys. The "Peter" adaptation has been brewing at Disney for a while now. Show also was developed last summer at the Williamstown Theater Fest, of which Rees is former a.d. Disney Theatrical also is at work on adaptations of Jules Pfeiffer book "The Man in the Ceiling" and a stage version of movie musical "Newsies." >>>
Originally Posted By ToonKirby Here's the Playbill.com interview where Menken mentions "Newsies", dated November of last year: <a href="http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112881.html" target="_blank">http://www.playbill.com/news/a...881.html</a> - kch
Originally Posted By leemac <<Disney Theatrical also is at work on adaptations of Jules Pfeiffer book "The Man in the Ceiling" and a stage version of movie musical "Newsies.">> Cheers Doobie. I presume DTP made them drop it for some reason. Cheers for the link, Kirby. I'm certain it is for a touring production for Newsies.
Originally Posted By ajnhollysmommy I have the Newsies soundtrack on tape! I did have to bury my VHS copy about a yr ago as I wore the poor thing out. =) I would love to get it on CD and DVD. If it does not tour the US I will see you all in the UK LOL It is one of my favorite movies and I knew several people who were in it also!! During the very opening credits there is a guy street sweeping (my friend Shawn) and during the resturant scene there is a dorky tall skinny guy with glasses on, hands folded moving side to side (my friend Mike)
Originally Posted By lesmisfan i would love a newsies stage musical!!! its one of my favorite disney films and always thought they should have done a short version in the hyperion theatre at dca. but ill take this one instead!!!
