Chicago Shakespeare presents the World Premiere of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the new stage musical adaptation of the iconic Walt Disney film, based on the beloved novels by Mary Norton and featuring music from the Oscar- and Grammy Award-winning duo The Sherman Brothers-Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. At the outset of World War II, three children evacuated from the London Blitz arrive in a seaside village on the doorstep of Miss Eglantine Price, a patriotic witch-in-training and inexperienced broom flyer. Through their fantastical misadventures, they discover that their strength-and their own true magic-lie in one another, paving the way to save their town and all of England. Bookwriter Brian Hill and composer/lyricist Neil Bartram have imaginatively adapted the story for the stage, weaving new songs with familiar favorites-and even some lost gems-from the original movie score. The world premiere production will be directed and choreographed by multiple Jeff Award-winner Rachel Rockwell, May 30-July 28, 2019.
I take "lost gems" to mean "Nobody's Problems" and "A Step in the Right Direction"? I wonder what new songs they would add to this. I'd say it doesn't really need anything, but even the Mary Poppins show had multiple additions and the MP film soundtrack was already pretty large.
I suppose it may be unlikely this would get a cast recording?
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
Glad to hear this film is getting some much deserved love.
I'm glad they're retaining all the "deleted" songs. I know the original movie had planned for the three kids to sing Nobody's Problems at the beginning of the film, with Eglantine reprising it near the end, so I hope they do that.
We’re a dyad in the Force. Two that are one. "I offered you my hand once. You wanted to take it." - Kylo Ren "I did want to take your hand. Ben's hand." - Rey
Originally slated to appear in the 2019/20 Season, SIX has been rescheduled into the timeframe of the previously announced world premiere musical, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, which has been postponed due to the untimely death of our friend, Director Rachel Rockwell. Rachel was an integral, creative force behind this new musical’s development, so our team concluded that, at a later date, we can produce the show that Rachel envisioned, and we wanted to bring to the stage.
Sotiris wrote:The project has been postponed indefinitely.
Originally slated to appear in the 2019/20 Season, SIX has been rescheduled into the timeframe of the previously announced world premiere musical, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, which has been postponed due to the untimely death of our friend, Director Rachel Rockwell. Rachel was an integral, creative force behind this new musical’s development, so our team concluded that, at a later date, we can produce the show that Rachel envisioned, and we wanted to bring to the stage.
Q: Can I put in a request for one of my favorites?
Thomas Schumacher: Sure.
Q: Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Thomas Schumacher: I'm not going to lie to you, we actually just did a reading. In fact, Ashley Brown was in the reading and her "Age of Not Believing" was breathtaking. We have a really interesting plan for Bedknobs which I'm not going to use your platform to announce.
I think that Ashley Brown would be a good choice for Eglentine!!! This is probably my most anticipated film-to-stage adaptation, so I can't wait to see what they have planned!!
I'm really glad this is still happening. I always wanted this to be a musical. It's a shame it was put on hold, but for a understandable reason. Ashley would be great as Angela's role!
Plus, it was smart to put SIX in its place. It's transferring to Broadway early next year and I have heard nothing, but raves about it.
Schumacher also said Disney is developing musical adaptations of “The Princess Bride,” with a book by Bob Martin and Rick Elice and songs by David Yazbek, as well as “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” directed by Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison, with a book by Brian Hill and new songs by Neil Bartram.
I'm glad this project is finally back on track and I'm loving the new logo. I would have preferred they hired Richard Sherman to write new songs though. Despite his advanced age, he's still active and has written a new song for Andreas Deja's upcoming short film. In any case, I hope we get a cast recording of it soon. I look forward to listening both the renditions of the classic songs as well as the new ones.
^I really like the logo too. And I agree about Richard Sherman. At least they could've asked him to write one song for it. It's a shame neither this musical nor the Mary Poppins one got new songs by any of the Sherman Brothers. And I didn't know Richard had written a new song for Andreas Deja's short. It is Mushka, right? I'm looking forward to listen to it.
D82 wrote:It's a shame neither this musical nor the Mary Poppins one got new songs by any of the Sherman Brothers.
In Mary Poppins' case they had no choice. Travers gave the stage rights under the condition that no one who had worked on the movie would be involved. So, they couldn't have hired them, even if they wanted to.
D82 wrote:It is Mushka, right? I'm looking forward to listen to it.
Sotiris wrote:In Mary Poppins' case they had no choice. Travers gave the stage rights under the condition that no one who had worked on the movie would be involved. So, they couldn't have hired them, even if they wanted to.
I think that Ashley Brown would be a good choice for Eglentine!!! This is probably my most anticipated film-to-stage adaptation, so I can't wait to see what they have planned!!
