The Weinstein's developing Broadway versions of FINDING NEVERLAND, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON & others
Audiences can expect to see more film's being turned into Broadway musicals thanks to Bob and Harvey Weinstein. According to a report from The New York Observer, they are actively developing musicals based upon Finding Neverland, Chocolat, Cinema Paradiso and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Seeing as how Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark has turned out, I am surprised that they are even consiering this idea. Finding Neverland has made the most progress so far, with music having already been written by Grey Gardens team Scott Frankel and Michael Korie and investors lining up. The muiscal is based on the 2004 film from director Marc Forster that starred Johnny Depp as J.M. Barrie, the man who created Peter Pan.
The New York Observer learned of the developments after Hollywood premiere party planner, Peggy Siegal sent out an invitation to potential investors to hear a reading of the Finding Neverland, including the songs. I can envision this being a Broadway musical, it even makes much more sense to me than Spider-Man does. I remeber seeing Peter Pan on stage as a kid. The performance has worked well both on stage and screen. Chocolat and Cinema Paradiso are simple, heart-warming stories that – I guess – lend themselves to the stage. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon would be pretty cool to see on stage, but I am interested in seeing how this will turn out. The possibilities for accidencts and high cost seem to be prohibitive to me, but who knows.
What are your thoughts on these plans for more film-based Broadway musicals?