Talented Mr Ripley - Musical

[Valentina3]

This cast is somewhat fantastic! Interested to hear how they'd have musicalized something like this - 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lesli-Margherita-Lindsay-Mendez-Alex-Wyse-More-Will-Lead-THE-TALENTED-MR-RIPLEY-Reading-20170519

[Lot666]

I'll be happy to have Lesli Margherita back on stage!

[UrNotAMachine]

Welp... Seeing as I've written about 8 songs for a musical based on The Talented Mr. Ripley (with obviously no intention of it ever being produced) this news is bittersweet for me. I guess at minimum it means I had an appealing idea... Sigh.

[Wayman_Wong]

Sorry, UrNotAMachine, but you're not alone. Many years ago, Michael Arden (now better known as the Tony-nominated director of the ''Spring Awakening'' revival) was working on a musical of ''The Talented Mr. Ripley,'' but sadly, couldn't get the rights. Arden even sang one of his wonderful songs in his cabaret act back then.

[UrNotAMachine]

Wayman_Wong said: "Sorry, UrNotAMachine, but you're not alone. Many years ago, Michael Arden (now better known as the Tony-nominated director of the ''Spring Awakening'' revival) was working on a musical of ''The Talented Mr. Ripley,'' but sadly, couldn't get the rights. Arden even sang one of his wonderful songs in his cabaret act back then.

 

"

Huh. Well it's great material for a musical, so I look forward to seeing this... though mine will always be better

[GavestonPS]

I remember reading that someone was writing an opera adaptation. Perhaps that was a reference to the Arden version mentioned above.

Anyway, I agree: great idea.

[kingfan011]

That will be interesting. The Matt Damon film is excellent.

[Wayman_Wong]

The Arden version was not an opera. But it is a great story by Patricia Highsmith. There are various adaptations that range from TV (for ''Studio One'' in 1956) to a later French movie (''Plein Soleil,'' starring Alain Delon as Ripley, in 1960) to even a London stage version (with Kyle Soller as Ripley and Michelle Ryan as Marge, and adapted by Phyllis Nagy, best known for her screenplay to ''Carol'' ) in 2010.

[JaglinSays]

Seems unlikely that they have the rights to this.

[RippedMan]

When's the last time a classic had a successful venture into an actual musical? 

[AEA AGMA SM]

RippedMan said: "When's the last time a classic had a successful venture into an actual musical? "

 

I've heard that there's a musical based on a literary classic that's currently nominated for 12 Tony Awards.

[Valentina3]

RippedMan said: "When's the last time a classic had a successful venture into an actual musical? "

Thoroughly Modern Millie. Hairspray. Catch Me If You Can. Some would argue American In Paris was a successful musical (I didn't care for it, but whatever). These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head, but the first 2 are possibly the only really successful ones and opened over a decade ago. 

 

[RippedMan]

I wouldn't call any of those classics. I mean like books and such, like Les Miz. And sure, Great Comet is doing well, but it's not a "success" yet. It hasn't turned a profit. Nor is it using the name of the book to sell tickets. It's based ON parts of the book, but it's not the actual book. 

[songanddanceman2]

I watched the play version here in the U.K, enjoyed it but the direction was weak.