Musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber OUGHT to have produced
This morning when I was still waking up, for some reason (maybe it was something I ate last night) I got into this thing of "musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber ought to have produced," and ended up generating a fairly long list of them. Thought that you, gentle reader, might enjoy them -- and maybe contribute a few of them yourself. (It's not entirely hopeless: they could also be musicals which Janor Hypercleats eventually produces in our universe of Here There Be Dragons.) So here's the list. I chose these because of the combination of complexity, epic drama, historical importance, and blazing polychrome (though occasionally mad) glory of their subjects. Feel free to add your own -- if you don't mind, I'll add them to the list, which I will post them here, in my LiveJournal blog. :-)
Musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber ought to have done (whether he did or not)
9-11: Day of Infamy, based on the terrorist attacks against America of September 11, 2001
The Prince, based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince
Sandman (Neil Gaiman's character, as presented in the DC Comics Sandman graphic novels)
The Stars, My Destination (based on the 1956 novel by Alfred Bester, the most glorious potboiler of a space-opera ever written)
The Quantum Connection, based on the life and work of physicist Nick Herbert
This Immortal (based on the novel of that title by Roger Zelazny, which was also published under the title, . . . And Call Me Conrad)
Preserved in Amber, based on the series of novels Lyall Watson, by Roger Zelazny
Inferno (based on the novel by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle)
The Stand (based on the 1984/1994 novel with the same title by Stephen King)
After the End of the World, (based on the 1987 novel Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon)
Narnia (based on the series of novels The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis -- especially that Wood Between the Worlds, an image that has haunted me ever since I read the Chronicles of Narnia back in my late 20s, decades ago)
Northwest Smith, based on the series of short science-fiction stories of C. L. Moore about her character of Northwest Smith
Shambleau, based on C. L. Moore's classic science-fiction/horror story of the same title
Jirel!, based on the series of short science-fiction sword-and-sorcery stories by C. L. Moore about Jirel, a medieval swordswoman and landholder
Vintage Season, based on the novella of that title written under the pseudonym of Lawrence O'Donnell by C. L. Moore and her husband, Henry Kuttner
The Green Hills of Earth, based on Robert A. Heinlein's short story of that title
MADness, based on the history of MAD Magazine from its founding in 1952 to the death of its founder, William M. Gaines, on June 3, 1992. Alternate title for the musical: What? Me Worry?
The Strange High House in the Mist, about Chas Addams's weird family, the Addams Family
Far Future Calling, based on the life and achievements of science-fiction writer Olaf Stapledon
Star-Maker, based on the novel of that title by Olaf Stapledon
Norstrilia!, based on the novel of the same title by Cordwainer Smith
Shayol, based on "A Planet Named Shayol," by Cordwainer Smith
Letter to a Phoenix, based on the short story of the same title by Fredric Brown
The Martian Chronicles, based on Ray Brandbury's series of short stories of that title
A Martian Odyssey, based on the novella of the same title by Stanley Weinbaum, with his sequel, "Valley of Dreams," thrown in for good measure)
Conan!, based on the series of short stories about Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard
The Shadow Over Innsmouth, based on the novella of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft
At the Mountains of Madness, based on the novel of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft)
The Magus, based on the life and legend of Aleister Crowley
Strange Angel, based on the life and legend of rocket scientist and Magickian Jack Parsons
A Shadow Over Providence, based on the life and legend of H. P. Lovecraft
Ad Astra!, based on the life and achievements of Admiral Hyman George Rickover, father of the nuclear submarine and our modern nuclear navy -- he always wanted the stars [you've got admit: all you have to do is tip a nuclear submarine up on end and you've got yourself a spaceship)
Ringworld, based on the novel of the same title by Larry Niven
Alien Cows! -- or maybe Cows from Mars! -- or maybe Mars Needs Cows! -- based on the life and achievements of cartoonist Gary Larson
Discus (based on the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett)
Guards! Guards! (based on the life and achievements of Sir Samuel Vimes, Commander of the City Guard of Ankh-Moorpork, a character in the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett; as Pratchett says in his dedication to the nomenal novel of the series that contain Vimes as a character, "They may be called the Palace Guard, the City Guard, or the Patrol. Whatever the name, their purpose in any work of heroic fantasy is identical; it is, round about Chapter Three (or ten minutes into the film) to rush into the room, attack the hero one at a time, and be slaughtered. No-one ever asks them if they wanted to. This book is dedicated to those fine men.")
Reaper Man, about Death of the Discworld and his adventures
Slack! (based on the life and achievements of J. R. "Bob" Dobbs -- don't ask!)
Winnie, based on the life and achievements of Sir Winston Churchill
PDQ!, based on the life and achievements of Peter Schickele -- I know, I know, this is definitely one Janor Hypercleats should do, instead . . . in some other universe, one not even remotely near our own
Magus of Spacetime, based on the life and achievements of Sir Stephen Hawking, who may be the preeminent magus of the 20th and 21st centuries -- not only has he changed the entire universe, at least as we view it inside our heads, but he's now over 60; in his early twenties he was diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, a disease that almost invariably kills its victims within two years of the time it first becomes evident . . . and he's still around, decades later, building cosmoses for fun and profit, truly one of the most heroically successful cases of application of the Art and Science of causing change in confirmity with Will, which is to say, biology, of all time
Lifetide (based on the life and achievements of eminent biologist Lyall Watson, the title taken from one of his studies of the natural history of the paranormal
Microcosmos, based on the life and achievements of eminent biologist Lynn Margulis, the title taken from her monograph Microcosmos: Four Billion Years of Microbial Evolution
Of Mice and Men, based on the life and achievements of Walter Elias Disney
Green Eggs and Ham, based on the life and achievements of
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Suess
June 6, 1944, based on the events of D-Day, June 6, 1944
Surabachi, the story of the taking of Iwo Jima by the United States Marines
Elizabeth, based on the life and achievements of Elizabeth I of England -- Webber's version, not that of the recent movie of the same title
San Jacinto, based on the life and achievements of Samuel Houston, a 19th century American statesman, politician, and soldier, who defeated President General Antonio López de Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1936, thereby securing Texas's independence from Mexico, and twice served as President of Texas
Thirteen Days of Glory, the story of the siege and battle of the Alamo by the superbly trained and equipped army of approximately 1,500 Mexican soldiers under the direction of President General Antonio López de Santa Anna, and its denouement, 1836
Krazy Kat, based on the comic strip of the same title
archie and mehitabel, based on don marquis's series of poems of the same title
Conqueror, based on the life and achievements of the historical personage of Genghis Khan
Shogun, whether based on James Clavell's novel of the same title or not
Sex, Rockets, and Madness: Descent of the Furies, on the life and achievements of L. Ron Hubbard
Life! (a history of Earthly life from its inception at the end of the Hadean Eon to its possible establishment on worlds of other stars and maybe in other unverses)*
----------------------------------------------------
*I think that the ultimate creation by Janor Hypercleats, the Doktors for "Bob", and others (in Rich Ransdell's and my series of alternate-world science fiction novels) will be Life! The Musical, celebrating the history of Earthly life from its inception at the close of the Hadean Eon of Earth's history to its ultimate establishment on worlds of other stars and then in other universes. A musical based on the history of terrestrial humanity would be great for a human audience, but it is the epic story of Life itself that has to take center stage. We're just Life's taxi-drivers to the stars. :-)
----------------------------------------------------
The thing is, Webber could make a musical based on the New York City telephone directory and it would be sell-out performances on Broadway for a 50-year run, he's that good. (Maybe I should have put Directory! (based on the New York City telephone directory) on the list?)
Contributions by John Burt, 5/5/2004 (¡Cinco de Mayo!):
"I am charmed by all of these as subject matter for a musical (Webber or otherwise), or an opera. I have a few nominees of my own to add:
Nemo -- The tragic hero of Twenty Thousand leagues Under the Sea. I once read a book in which a composer was writing such a piece, but he wanted to focus on Prince Dakkar of The Mysterious Island, and I decided long ago that Prince Dakkar was not in fact the same person as Captain Nemo.
Little Nemo (of the comic strip fame) -- the multiple transformations, via hidden machinery, of that famous bed will dazzle 'em.
The Nightmare Before Christmas -- why hasn't this already been done on stage?
Where the Wild Things Are, from Maurice Sendak's story with the same title) -- Don't you think?" [Will you settle for a movie? -- Yael]
This list under construction -- watch this site for future additions!
Musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber ought to have done (whether he did or not)
9-11: Day of Infamy, based on the terrorist attacks against America of September 11, 2001
The Prince, based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince
Sandman (Neil Gaiman's character, as presented in the DC Comics Sandman graphic novels)
The Stars, My Destination (based on the 1956 novel by Alfred Bester, the most glorious potboiler of a space-opera ever written)
The Quantum Connection, based on the life and work of physicist Nick Herbert
This Immortal (based on the novel of that title by Roger Zelazny, which was also published under the title, . . . And Call Me Conrad)
Preserved in Amber, based on the series of novels Lyall Watson, by Roger Zelazny
Inferno (based on the novel by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle)
The Stand (based on the 1984/1994 novel with the same title by Stephen King)
After the End of the World, (based on the 1987 novel Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon)
Narnia (based on the series of novels The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis -- especially that Wood Between the Worlds, an image that has haunted me ever since I read the Chronicles of Narnia back in my late 20s, decades ago)
Northwest Smith, based on the series of short science-fiction stories of C. L. Moore about her character of Northwest Smith
Shambleau, based on C. L. Moore's classic science-fiction/horror story of the same title
Jirel!, based on the series of short science-fiction sword-and-sorcery stories by C. L. Moore about Jirel, a medieval swordswoman and landholder
Vintage Season, based on the novella of that title written under the pseudonym of Lawrence O'Donnell by C. L. Moore and her husband, Henry Kuttner
The Green Hills of Earth, based on Robert A. Heinlein's short story of that title
MADness, based on the history of MAD Magazine from its founding in 1952 to the death of its founder, William M. Gaines, on June 3, 1992. Alternate title for the musical: What? Me Worry?
The Strange High House in the Mist, about Chas Addams's weird family, the Addams Family
Far Future Calling, based on the life and achievements of science-fiction writer Olaf Stapledon
Star-Maker, based on the novel of that title by Olaf Stapledon
Norstrilia!, based on the novel of the same title by Cordwainer Smith
Shayol, based on "A Planet Named Shayol," by Cordwainer Smith
Letter to a Phoenix, based on the short story of the same title by Fredric Brown
The Martian Chronicles, based on Ray Brandbury's series of short stories of that title
A Martian Odyssey, based on the novella of the same title by Stanley Weinbaum, with his sequel, "Valley of Dreams," thrown in for good measure)
Conan!, based on the series of short stories about Conan the Barbarian by Robert E. Howard
The Shadow Over Innsmouth, based on the novella of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft
At the Mountains of Madness, based on the novel of the same title by H. P. Lovecraft)
The Magus, based on the life and legend of Aleister Crowley
Strange Angel, based on the life and legend of rocket scientist and Magickian Jack Parsons
A Shadow Over Providence, based on the life and legend of H. P. Lovecraft
Ad Astra!, based on the life and achievements of Admiral Hyman George Rickover, father of the nuclear submarine and our modern nuclear navy -- he always wanted the stars [you've got admit: all you have to do is tip a nuclear submarine up on end and you've got yourself a spaceship)
Ringworld, based on the novel of the same title by Larry Niven
Alien Cows! -- or maybe Cows from Mars! -- or maybe Mars Needs Cows! -- based on the life and achievements of cartoonist Gary Larson
Discus (based on the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett)
Guards! Guards! (based on the life and achievements of Sir Samuel Vimes, Commander of the City Guard of Ankh-Moorpork, a character in the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett; as Pratchett says in his dedication to the nomenal novel of the series that contain Vimes as a character, "They may be called the Palace Guard, the City Guard, or the Patrol. Whatever the name, their purpose in any work of heroic fantasy is identical; it is, round about Chapter Three (or ten minutes into the film) to rush into the room, attack the hero one at a time, and be slaughtered. No-one ever asks them if they wanted to. This book is dedicated to those fine men.")
Reaper Man, about Death of the Discworld and his adventures
Slack! (based on the life and achievements of J. R. "Bob" Dobbs -- don't ask!)
Winnie, based on the life and achievements of Sir Winston Churchill
PDQ!, based on the life and achievements of Peter Schickele -- I know, I know, this is definitely one Janor Hypercleats should do, instead . . . in some other universe, one not even remotely near our own
Magus of Spacetime, based on the life and achievements of Sir Stephen Hawking, who may be the preeminent magus of the 20th and 21st centuries -- not only has he changed the entire universe, at least as we view it inside our heads, but he's now over 60; in his early twenties he was diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, a disease that almost invariably kills its victims within two years of the time it first becomes evident . . . and he's still around, decades later, building cosmoses for fun and profit, truly one of the most heroically successful cases of application of the Art and Science of causing change in confirmity with Will, which is to say, biology, of all time
Lifetide (based on the life and achievements of eminent biologist Lyall Watson, the title taken from one of his studies of the natural history of the paranormal
Microcosmos, based on the life and achievements of eminent biologist Lynn Margulis, the title taken from her monograph Microcosmos: Four Billion Years of Microbial Evolution
Of Mice and Men, based on the life and achievements of Walter Elias Disney
Green Eggs and Ham, based on the life and achievements of
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Suess
June 6, 1944, based on the events of D-Day, June 6, 1944
Surabachi, the story of the taking of Iwo Jima by the United States Marines
Elizabeth, based on the life and achievements of Elizabeth I of England -- Webber's version, not that of the recent movie of the same title
San Jacinto, based on the life and achievements of Samuel Houston, a 19th century American statesman, politician, and soldier, who defeated President General Antonio López de Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1936, thereby securing Texas's independence from Mexico, and twice served as President of Texas
Thirteen Days of Glory, the story of the siege and battle of the Alamo by the superbly trained and equipped army of approximately 1,500 Mexican soldiers under the direction of President General Antonio López de Santa Anna, and its denouement, 1836
Krazy Kat, based on the comic strip of the same title
archie and mehitabel, based on don marquis's series of poems of the same title
Conqueror, based on the life and achievements of the historical personage of Genghis Khan
Shogun, whether based on James Clavell's novel of the same title or not
Sex, Rockets, and Madness: Descent of the Furies, on the life and achievements of L. Ron Hubbard
Life! (a history of Earthly life from its inception at the end of the Hadean Eon to its possible establishment on worlds of other stars and maybe in other unverses)*
----------------------------------------------------
*I think that the ultimate creation by Janor Hypercleats, the Doktors for "Bob", and others (in Rich Ransdell's and my series of alternate-world science fiction novels) will be Life! The Musical, celebrating the history of Earthly life from its inception at the close of the Hadean Eon of Earth's history to its ultimate establishment on worlds of other stars and then in other universes. A musical based on the history of terrestrial humanity would be great for a human audience, but it is the epic story of Life itself that has to take center stage. We're just Life's taxi-drivers to the stars. :-)
----------------------------------------------------
The thing is, Webber could make a musical based on the New York City telephone directory and it would be sell-out performances on Broadway for a 50-year run, he's that good. (Maybe I should have put Directory! (based on the New York City telephone directory) on the list?)
Contributions by John Burt, 5/5/2004 (¡Cinco de Mayo!):
"I am charmed by all of these as subject matter for a musical (Webber or otherwise), or an opera. I have a few nominees of my own to add:
Nemo -- The tragic hero of Twenty Thousand leagues Under the Sea. I once read a book in which a composer was writing such a piece, but he wanted to focus on Prince Dakkar of The Mysterious Island, and I decided long ago that Prince Dakkar was not in fact the same person as Captain Nemo.
Little Nemo (of the comic strip fame) -- the multiple transformations, via hidden machinery, of that famous bed will dazzle 'em.
The Nightmare Before Christmas -- why hasn't this already been done on stage?
Where the Wild Things Are, from Maurice Sendak's story with the same title) -- Don't you think?" [Will you settle for a movie? -- Yael]
This list under construction -- watch this site for future additions!