Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#1Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/28/16 at 4:24pm
So I read something in this chat about Jason Robert Brown writing a King-Kong musical? Was that a thing? What the hell was that about?
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/28/16 at 4:26pm
Pretty sure this is dead in the water. I seem to remember them realizing that if your lead character couldn't speak, and certainly couldn't sing, there wasn't much a musical could do.
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Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#3Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/28/16 at 4:29pm
I'm still shocked at the idea of JRB, the composer of The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County, and Parade, read the words "KING KONG THE MUSICAL" and said, "I want to get behind this."
Alex Kulak2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
#5Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/28/16 at 4:32pm
13's not that bad. It's not a masterpiece, but it makes more sense than King Kong: The Musical
#6Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/28/16 at 4:34pm
King Kong - Melbourne
He was hired (along with Marsha Norman who has subsequently left the project) to provide a cohesive score to the production that opened in Melbounre in 2013. That production was a mixmatch of new/period music and to all intents and purposes a spectacular light and sound show with an epic puppet that definitely required a few firm guiding hands to craft a full scale musical out of a theme park show. It didn't really sound like the timescale was too immintent last time I heard though.
Theatrefanboy1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
#8Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/28/16 at 5:41pm
Really, if they just got a director who could "spin a new web" of ideas, I'm sure they could "Rise Above" the struggles of a lead character not speaking/singing. Hmmm. I'd be calling Julie Taymor to get this one off the ground.
In all seriousness though, to me it just makes sense. And I actually have faith in her. And with a JRB score. A Hit.... or a short lived musical, that theatre lovers keep alive after it closes.
#9Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/29/16 at 1:25pm
He has two kids to put through college, and nothing he's written has made much money. So... sure, grab at anything.
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#10Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/29/16 at 1:53pm
I think of you focused the show on 3 main characters - created an interesting love triangle plot - that rhe show could work. No one needs to hear King Kong sing a power ballad. But I think there could be a really visually striking show in there.
#11Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/29/16 at 9:03pm
"I'm still shocked at the idea of JRB, the composer of The Last Five Years, Bridges of Madison County, and Parade, read the words "KING KONG THE MUSICAL" and said, "I want to get behind this.""
"Guess you weren't around for 13."
Or Urban Cowboy.
Honestly, I saw that video on YouTube (here it is), and the thing looks gorgeous. But yeah, there are inherent flaws in the storytelling when the monkey can't sing. However, the movie is a classic and he didn't speak or sing in that, so...maybe? I'm cautiously optimistic this will be resurrected someday.
Updated On: 11/29/16 at 09:03 PM
#12Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/29/16 at 9:34pm
I think JRB could write killer score for this. In a similar style to parade, maybe.
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#13Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/29/16 at 10:02pm
I like to go to JRB's SubCulture shows, there I've heard the act 2 opening number he's worked on for the show twice. Im very interested to see what he could bring to it. This last show, he jokingly he said that since the book writer left the show, he didn't know even if he was still working on King Kong.
#14Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/29/16 at 10:02pm
I like to go to JRB's SubCulture shows, there I've heard the act 2 opening number he's worked on for the show twice. Im very interested to see what he could bring to it. This last show, he jokingly he said that since the book writer left the show, he didn't know even if he was still working on King Kong.
StephieElise
Featured Actor Joined: 11/12/12
#15Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/29/16 at 11:07pm
I saw the show 3 times in Melbourne. I initially went because a friend was playing Ann Darrow but ended up revisiting it because I enjoyed it so much. Yes, there were some flaws, but I loved a lot of the songs and King Kong himself was absolutely spectacular. I'd love for it to get another chance.
#16Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/30/16 at 12:05am
He also seemed like he really liked writing with Norman - so if nothing else it allowed them more (paid) time together.
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#17Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/30/16 at 9:14am
Was Brown on the project when Crag Lucas was the book writer?
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#18Jason Robert Brown's King Kong?
Posted: 11/30/16 at 9:24am
I don't think so. This seems to indicate they (JRB & MN) were brought on together.
http://www.playbill.com/article/exclusive-jason-robert-brown-boards-broadway-aimed-king-kong-musical-com-362749
