DVDizzy Forum

Drew Hackney @ Jim Hill Media wrote:Pinocchio
Remember that horrendous "Geppetto" musical on ABC starring Drew Carey? You know, the one starring the overbearing comedian who was under the horribly wrong impression that he was a singer? At the time of the movie's premiere, Julie Taymor started blabbing about directing and designing a stage version of "Pinocchio" for Disney, following on the heels of her "Lion King" success. La Taymor mentioned blending Disney's story with some of the darker elements found in Collodi's original tale, and possibly even using some songs and plot points from "Geppetto." Chances are that last idea was canned. At any rate, this show is far, far off, but still a very likely possibility.

singerguy04 wrote:I'm not sure the a on-stage version of Pinocchio would be the greatest thing. I, for one, would much rather see a few other films be adopted into Broadway shows before this one. Films like Pocahontas, Hercules, Hunchback, and Aladdin. I just don't think taking a film who's creators have passed away and adding new stuff to it. It'd be easy to add more to those four movies because most of their creators can still add artistic choices to it, as well as approve the final story. I think disney should stay away from the older classics IMO. If people wouldn't want a sequel to Pinocchio, why would they want changes to the original story?

Big Disney Fan wrote:

singerguy04 wrote:I'm not sure the a on-stage version of Pinocchio would be the greatest thing. I, for one, would much rather see a few other films be adopted into Broadway shows before this one. Films like Pocahontas, Hercules, Hunchback, and Aladdin. I just don't think taking a film who's creators have passed away and adding new stuff to it. It'd be easy to add more to those four movies because most of their creators can still add artistic choices to it, as well as approve the final story. I think disney should stay away from the older classics IMO. If people wouldn't want a sequel to Pinocchio, why would they want changes to the original story?

It was just an idea, for Pete's sake; no need to get so defensive about it. I just thought that it would be good as a musical. Besides, I don't think there is a comparison between B-way musicals and sequels.

singerguy04 wrote: I just don't think taking a film who's creators have passed away and adding new stuff to it. It'd be easy to add more to those four movies because most of their creators can still add artistic choices to it, as well as approve the final story.

ichabod wrote:I said no, because I just don't think that Pinocchio in its current form would work as a brodway musical. For it to work, drastic changes would be needed. Firstly the originaly is not a musical, but rather a film with songs so a larger, score with more songs would be needed. But by making such changes would make the film far removed from the original which then begs the question, why bother? If you're having to create songs and a score for an existing movie > stage production, why not just create a new musical? Quite frankly the other reason I said no is that I don't see what the obsession with translating every film to stage is and quite frankly if Disney is serious about upping it's stage content I wish they would concentrate on new original productions. They showed it could be done with "Aida", which admittedly was probably not the smash they would've wanted it was certainly a step on the ladder!

The puppet with the nose that grows every time he tells a fib is coming to the National Theatre. The powerhouse on the South Bank and Disney Theatricals have informally finalised a deal to develop a stage musical called — surprise, surprise — Pinocchio, that will be directed by John Tiffany and written by Enda Walsh. The show will combine elements from the classic 1940 Disney animated movie and the fantasy’s original source, The Adventures Of Pinocchio, which author Carlo Collidi serialised from 1881 for two years.

I can reveal that if a workshop later this year is successful, Pinocchio will be given the green light and premiere at the National in time for Christmas 2016. A spokeswoman for the theatre confirmed yesterday that talks between Disney and the NT regarding the musical are ‘ongoing’. The idea is that great songs such as When You Wish Upon A Star, Give A Little Whistle, Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor’s Life For Me), Little Wooden Head and I’ve Got No Strings, would feature in the stage version. But other songs written for the film and never used, as well as pieces penned during that period from the Disney catalogue, are also being made available to the show’s creative team.

NT artistic director Rufus Norris led the National’s team, while Disney executives were under the command of Disney Theatricals president Thomas Schumacher. Discussions have been going on behind the scenes since last year. Indeed, long before the National became involved, director Tiffany told Disney’s Schumacher that he wanted to have a go at bringing Pinocchio, the marionette carved from enchanted wood who wants to be a real boy, to the stage. Disney funded a small private workshop which allowed Tiffany to test out some of his ideas with four songs. Tiffany has already assembled his Pinocchio team, which will include designer Bob Crowley and choreographer and movement director Steven Hoggett.

Although Disney controls all rights to the 1940 classic, they are putting the artistic authority in the National’s hands, which means Pinocchio will be staged at the National without the Disney ‘possessory title’ (so no ‘Disney’s Pinocchio’ on the South Bank). ‘The aim is for the National to create a show that plays great at the National. That’s the only goal,’ a source close to the contractual talks told me. At present, there’s no deal for Disney to produce the show elsewhere, though I’m sure they will, once the National has had a couple of Christmas seasons with the magical marionette.

Sotiris wrote:

The puppet with the nose that grows every time he tells a fib is coming to the National Theatre. The powerhouse on the South Bank and Disney Theatricals have informally finalised a deal to develop a stage musical called — surprise, surprise — Pinocchio, that will be directed by John Tiffany and written by Enda Walsh. The show will combine elements from the classic 1940 Disney animated movie and the fantasy’s original source, The Adventures Of Pinocchio, which author Carlo Collidi serialised from 1881 for two years.

...

singerguy04 wrote:If people wouldn't want a sequel to Pinocchio, why would they want changes to the original story?