Memoirs of a Geisha Musical?

[standingovation79]

I keep hearing rumors that Ahrens and Flaherty are working on a musical adaption of this Novel/Film. Anyone else heard this or know if this is true? It certainly feels like they would be the best team to write it.

[broadwayguy91]

that's interesting. I think it would be better as a straight play though

[AnnieBlack]

Yes, with Tommy Tune attached as director the last I heard 

[standingovation79]

With all due respect to the great tommy tune, he's not who would first come to mind as director. 

[Mister Matt]

I just finished reading the novel for a second time last night.  It's such a compelling story.  The ending is where it really seems to falter, with the story sort of petering out in what seems to be a rushed coda.  It's not as well-structured as the rest of the novel as if the author weren't sure what to do with these characters once the central conflict ceased to be an obstacle.  The film attempted to correct this, but it resulted in a rather clichéd ending.  I'd love to see a more creative and satisfying conclusion depicted on stage.

I do think it could work well as a musical and adapting it shouldn't be too difficult.  There are plenty of scenes and characters that could be cut without altering the integrity of the story.  What I think is most important is the authenticity of the music.  That and the perspective of the narrative, which was key to the novel's success.

[broadwayguy91]

I just hope no one lets Stafford Arima near this.

[5377brian]

This book is so great, and I remember finishing it, turning the last page to discover it was written by a Jewish man...that really stunned me.   He so perfectly captured the voice of a woman...

[Jane2]

"This book is so great, and I remember finishing it, turning the last page to discover it was written by a Jewish man...that really stunned me."

 because.......?

[vampire musical]

Can Liesl Tommie please direct this?  If this happens it needs a female director.  Or Leigh Silverman

[ChairinMain]

Please tell me this will be starring Tituss Burgess.

[icecreambenjamin]

ChairinMain said: "Please tell me this will be starring Tituss Burgess.

 

"

LOL

 

[AnnieBlack]

ChairinMain said: "Please tell me this will be starring Tituss Burgess.

 

"

I really think there needs to a daily 'quote of the day' award for stuff like this, and a 'best of' at years end! I disturbed my co-workers for my very out loud laugh!

[broadwayboy223]

I think this will be a beautiful musical!

[5377brian]

Because he captured the voice of a Japanese geisha so well, I was shocked that a man wrote it.  !

[Jane2]

Well, why didn't  you just say you were shocked that a man wrote it?

[A Director]

This idea is a "Why" musical!  Why does "Memoirs of a Geisha" need to be a musical or, for that mater, a play? In 2016, there is no need for another show with exotic Asian female characters.  Contemporary Asian-American playwrights are not writing these type of plays.  In fact, there is not one type of Asian-American play.  It is time to move on!

[gypsy101]

......I disagree. I definitely think Broadway could have a musical featuring Asian characters.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

I loved the book. I'm very skeptical about how it can be made a musical, but then again a couple years ago I would have felt the same way about making a rap musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton.

[Mister Matt]

Why does "Memoirs of a Geisha" need to be a musical or, for that mater, a play?

Why does anything get adapted as a musical?  Usually, it's a compelling story and someone believes it lends itself to being set to music, generally stemming from the story, setting and characters.  

Contemporary Asian-American playwrights are not writing these type of plays.

So?  Perhaps they could.  Or perhaps it could be someone of another ethnicity, as with the novel itself.

[VintageSnarker]

I understand where A Director is coming from. It's a little frustrating that Allegiance, an important Asian-American story told by Asian-Americans, flops (though I know the material was flawed, I'm arguing it as a test case) while we go back to the well of the Miss Saigon-style show where white creators interpret Asianness and specifically Asian women through the lens of exoticism, orientalism, and submissive sexuality.

That said, I have faith in Ahrens and Flaherty. At best, we get a great score. At worst, we get another flop. And I think I've shown I'm not opposed to a good flop.