Originally Posted By JeffG There was an article in Variety today that mentioned an upcoming Walt Disney Theatrical production that I hadn't heard about before. A new stage musical adaptation of "Sister Act" (the early 90s Whoopi Goldberg movie) is scheduled to debut at the Pasadena Playhouse in California this October. Interestingly, the songs are by Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glen Slater (who previously worked with Menken on "Home on the Range"). I would assume this would likely tour and/or end up on Broadway, if the Pasadena production does well. Here is a link to a website with information: <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/sister.html" target="_blank">http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.o rg/sister.html</a> -Jeff
Originally Posted By tonyanton I could be wrong, but I heard that Touchstone licensed out the film for the stage. That is, Disney Theatrical is not involved.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead Disney Theatrical has nothing to do with the production. They make no mention of it when they speak of their upcoming slate of projects. Even in that Hollywood Reporter article, they mention every show Alan Menken's working on for Disney, and Sister Act isn't even referenced, even though it's been in the works for a while.
Originally Posted By JeffG It could be that Variety got the information wrong. The reference was in their article about Menken's new contract extension with Disney. Their phrasing implied it to be a Disney Theatrical show (and in the context of the article, it doesn't make much sense to mention it otherwise...), but it could be poor phrasing or the author jumping to conclusions as well. A subscription is required to access Variety's articles online, but here is the exact quote: >> "He will also be taking on a number of live-action projects. For Disney Theatrical, he is in pre-productionpre-production on the stage version of "Little Mermaid"; for Disney Creative Entertainment, he is creating tunertuner "The Snow Queen" for Tokyo DisneySea; and for Walt Disney Imagineering, he is writing music for a Sinbad attraction in Japan. Menken is also composing a score for the tuner adaptation of "Sister Act," which will debut in October at the Pasadena Playhouse." << -Jeff
Originally Posted By figgy999 The Sister Act musical is not part of Walt Disney Theatricals but it is connected. Thomas Schumacher, the head of WDT is behind it, but not as a part of Disney.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead I never saw the Variety quote, but the way I read it, they are definitely implying that it's not part of Disney Theatrical. They separate three projects (with semicolons) with three different Disney departments - Theatrical, Creative Entertainment, and Imagineering. Then a period. Then they throw in an "also" with SISTER ACT, kind of like saying that it's not with any of those arms of Disney. That's the way I see it. Besides, I think it would be ridiculous for Disney Theatrical to take it on. Their plate is beyond full, and any more Disney might just cause a glut and a backlash. With SISTER ACT, Disney can sell rights, and no one will even know it's Disney.
Originally Posted By leemac I believe that this project is being directed by Peter Schneider (former Walt Disney Studios boss) and is designed as a touring production. I do remember seeing some concept stuff last summer and I believe it is supposed to be a disco-inspired take on Sister Act.
Originally Posted By JeffG >> "They separate three projects (with semicolons) with three different Disney departments - Theatrical, Creative Entertainment, and Imagineering. Then a period. Then they throw in an "also" with SISTER ACT, kind of like saying that it's not with any of those arms of Disney. That's the way I see it." << Sure, but it was also part of a full article discussing Alan Menken's current and upcoming projects for Disney. If it is a non-Disney project, it is the only one that is ever mentioned in the article and it is mentioned without specifically mentioning that it isn't a Disney project. Certainly, I would imagine you are all correct that this is a licensing deal and not a Disney production. I'm just pointing out that the author of the Variety author likely made a similar wrong assumption to the one I made. At any rate, even if it isn't an official Disney Theatrical production, I still think an Alan Menken musical based on a hit Touchstone film is probably apt to be of interest to many Disney fans... -Jeff
Originally Posted By TheRedhead It was of interest to this Disney fan until I read lee's comment: "and I believe it is supposed to be a disco-inspired take on Sister Act." Um, ill?
Originally Posted By JeffG I find that a bit hard to believe, considering that Alan Menken is the composer. I've never heard him do anything that remotely resembles disco. On the other hand, he has a fair amount of experience (Little Shop of Horrors and Hercules in particular) in the general style that dominated the film. -Jeff
Originally Posted By leemac <<It was of interest to this Disney fan until I read lee's comment: "and I believe it is supposed to be a disco-inspired take on Sister Act." Um, ill?>> That was what we were told last summer! I was surprised that they didn't call on Marc Shaiman (the movie's original composer). I do know that Alan is free to work on non-Disney projects as both his old and new agreements were non-binding. He had a great relationship with Peter (like many at the Studios did as he is an extremely likeable guy) so I'm sure he called in a favour.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead Good point Jeff. A Motown-style musical seems more appropriate and logical all around. The mentioning of disco seems like an attempt to cash in on MAMMA MIA's success. Double ill.
Originally Posted By ToonKirby It's interesting all these screen-to-stage adaptations based on movies with catalog-heavy soundtracks: "Sister Act", "The Wedding Singer", even "Billy Elliot". I just can't imagine "Sister Act" with out "My God".
Originally Posted By TheRedhead And these catalog-heavy-movie-based shows never seemed to go well: there seems to be this weird pull between wanting to keep the popular music we know and actually writing original songs that forward the characters and plot. "Footloose" and "Saturday Night Fever" come to mind. (shudder) The new trend seems to be to forsake the catalog. "Wedding Singer" and "Billy Elliot" are all original. It will be interesting to see if they would actually keep "My God" (which is completely adorable).
Originally Posted By 45YearsofMagic Sister Act is not produced by Disney. They sold the stage rights to the property to Schneider. Disney is not involved at all.
Originally Posted By u k fan I think since part of the joke is that the Sisters are singing existing songs in a different style if they don't keep that premise whether keeping My God or not the effect will be lessened!!!
Originally Posted By leemac <<Disney is not involved at all.>> That isn't actually true. I spoke with Tom Schumacher today and he confirmed that Disney licenced the product to the Sister Act producers and they were in the initial investors. Schneider did get other investors so Disney are not the sole shareholders. So Disney win either way; if it is a success they get both the licence fee and profit-sharing and if it tanks then they still have the licence fee.
Originally Posted By ToonKirby Menken and Slater have been busy lately: <a href="http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=527309" target="_blank">http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Bu zz_Story.aspx?ci=527309</a>
