BEHIND THE STORY...
With OLIVER AND COMPANY in full development, the studio suddenly had the idea that this might be a direction to build new titles. The concept was to take a popular musical (OLIVER AND COMPANY was based on OLIVER TWIST which was turned into the musical OLIVER) and modernize it. By “modernize” the studio meant use the title and basic plot but have all new music by modern performers. I put together a few quickies and presented them. However, within a few months, LITTLE MERMAID was building steam and suddenly, the “modernized musicals” pushed aside by original fantasy musicals..
And now my pitch...
ANIMALS CRACKERS (Based on “Animal Crackers”)
The noted safari guide, Captain Spaulding (a scrawny lion) arrives at a posh party where he retells tall tales of his jungle expeditions, tries to woo the rich owner, tangles with crazy musicians and guests (none of who are what they seem), attend a masquerade and helps find a stolen painting. (This was a Marx Brothers’ vehicle on both stage and film. It contains several songs including “Hooray for Captain Spaulding”.)
ANNIE GET YOUR DREAM (Based on “Annie Get Your Gun”)
Annie, a wily coyote, enters a contest to be a star in a Wild West show. When she meets an equally talented wolf, she must decide whether it is better to win the prize or a husband. (This is one of Irving Berlin’s biggest hits and contains such songs as “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful”.)
BABES IN BARNS (Based on “Babes In Arms”)
A group of young farm animals decide not to remain on the farm and try to enter show business by creating and producing their own show. At first ridiculed by their parents, the young talents prove themselves when the show succeeds. (This Rogers & Hammerstein show contains some of their biggest hits such as “My Funny Valentine” and “Johnny One Note”.)
BRIGADOON DOGS (Based on “Brigadoon”)
A pair of wondering dogs find themselves in Brigadoon, a magical city (where animals talk and rule) that only appears one day every 100 years. Once there, they must decide whether to remain there or go back ot their masters. (Lerner and Loewe’s first hit music contains “It’s Almost Like Being in Love”.)
CATBERET (Based on “Cabaret”)
Romance grows between two cats as a possible war approaches. The settings are in a large village, but most of the action takes place around a music hall (the Kit Kat Klub) where the female cat is a performer. (Though the original story and music is quite adult, many of the songs would easily adapt for family entertainment. Along with “Cabaret”, songs include “Money” and “Willkommen”.)
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FUR ROOM (Based on “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”)
To gain his freedom in ancient Greece, a fox slave must help his owner’s son to win the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, the son’s chose girl is already promised to a famous General. The fox comes up with an elaborate scheme involving a host of innocent, and not so innocent, bystanders. (Music by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, “Funny Thing” won Tonys for Best Musical, Best Book and others. Songs include “Comedy Tonight” and “I’m Lovely”.)
JUMBO’S CIRCUS (Based on “Jumbo”)
When two animals from rival circuses meet and fall in love, the rest of the circus animals help to bring the human owners together to create “The Greatest Show on Earth”. (This Rogers and Hart musical contains such standards as “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” and “My Romance”.)
text, image and format © John Cawley
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