Cinematical

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

This could be the very worst idea for a musical I've ever heard.

I love Brian Stokes Mitchell, but this has FLOP- GOING DOWN IN FLAMES written all over it.

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NOOOOOOOoooooohhhhhhhh!!!!!!

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ITS GONNA BE AMAZING

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I won't say it will or won't work. I recall a lot of years ago thinking 'Les Miserables as a MUSICAL'??? One never knows.

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I may feel that Gladiator has a limited premise & so A sequel let alone musical would be out of the question the story's depressing & seeing it once may even be all one should too. Truthfully Stephen "Steve" G.Baer a.k.a. "Ste" of Framingham,Ma.

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When I saw the movie, I thought that the screenplay structure was already something like a musical. -- and A judy Garland musical at that.

Think of it: there's the neophyte headliner who tries and hits it big initially, then fails. Then after some additional training rises to the top to the adoring crowd.

There's even the wise old 'show biz' coach who says something like: Just wait til you play the Palace.There's nothing like it!"
I mean "just wait until you play the coleseum.There's nothing like it."

Everything else was just toga drag.

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This idea is so scary.

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I cannot believe that someone would make a musical of that wonderful movie. The subject matter in itself is something that doesn't need to be sung about. I'm sorry, but I don't want to think of Maximus singing for his supper. It just doesn't jive.

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It might be a little iffy for a musical, but it depends on the type of music they use. There are plenty of dark and depressing musicals, they just don't have Rogers and Hammerstein scores. I do think however it might be made into a nice Wagnerian Opera.

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It's one of my all-time favorite movies, and Russell was amazing. A musical? It could work. And Brian Stokes Mitchell can more than handle anything that's thrown at him. I give it a "hm....I'm intrigued." And by the way -- unnecessary nasty comment about Russell in the article. Russell did musical theatre back in Australia.

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I played the role of JUBA in the LA workshop production of the musical GLADIATOR and I have been in the biz for a long time. so I can say it works and has tremendous potential

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That idea came from planet WHOOO!

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To Ben who posted "Just wait til you play the Palace. There's nothing like it!"

Wanna know what's playing at that same Palace Theatre right now? The musical that completes the Broadway vampire curse trifecta: LESTAT.

I predict Gladiator will have the same fate. Brian Stokes Mitchell is out of his mind.

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Like 42nd street, can't you hear it, "You're going out there a gladiator, but your coming back a star!"

THIS IS NOT A MUSICAL.

BUT,

It could be a great opera.
This happens often, certain pieces make musicals and they can be serious, but others are definitly the stuff of Opera. Gladiator is a perfect example.

Tarzan on the other hand is neither, it just stinks like a fart aimed at the audience for two interminable hours.

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Alright, I'm not quite sure what I think of the actual idea of "Gladiator" becoming a musical. BSM is one of my all-time favorite b'way actors and I'm not quite sure I want him to do somethin' like this... I don't know. I'm kind of with the people who say it just isn't the right type of movie to burst out into song. Just think, Maximus is about ready to show Joaquin Phoenix's character who he really is and then BOOM! A show-stopping ballad? I don't think so.

To Cindy - just fyi, "Lestat" is doing really well and is rumored to be one of the best shows this year. *shrugs* I can't attest to that personally, 'cause I haven't seen it, I'm just passing on what I heard.

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This will work brilliantly. The musical themes from the film blend perfectly with the original Hans Zimmer score. How do I know? I was in the LA workshop production (2 weeks rehearsal, limited props, no costumes, etc.) and the 400+ seat house (including many execs from Dreamworks) gave us a standing ovation at the curtain call. Nearly every song garnered applause as did every swordfight and battle scene.

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Many of us in the workshop had similar reactions to the project.... "Gladiator the Musical... uh, OK."

Trust me it works! The music is intense. I was a member of the combat team for the LA workshop. The best way to describe this project would be to replace any idea of dancing numbers with tremendous combat sequences. It's been 3 days since our last performance and I still get pumped up when I think about the combat sequences and some of the music. Hey Scott, Eugene..... just thought I'd add to your comments. Hope you're well.

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Well, the fate of this musical is TBD and since I played Lucilla in the workshop of it I feel I must correct the Brian Stokes Mitchell myth...nothing against Brian, but the role was played by Steve Blanchard who is The Beast on BROADWAY and if anyone is being considered for the BROADWAY version it is Steve. This is not a rumor, it's a fact.
And, the music is incredible and VERY memorable...we shall see:-)

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