How Matilda the Musical Had to Change Itself From Stage to Film
Originally posted on Playbill
When Matthew Warchus, Dennis Kelly, and Tim Minchin set out to adapt their Olivier- and Tony-winning Matilda the Musical into a film, they knew they would have to kill some of their babies. Metaphorically.
“Oh Christ, it’s completely different,” says composer Minchin when talking about the differences between the stage show and the film adaptation, which is currently playing on Netflix. He speaks admiringly of his colleagues Kelly and Warchus—all three artists have the rare honor of being creators who got to oversee the film adaptation of their stage property. “Usually people find it hard to truly throw out what they need to throw out in order to make the jump [to film],” says Minchin. “I don’t think I could have done what Matthew and Dennis did, which is to just really reimagine it and completely change the script—just fundamentally change it, and yet you come out feeling like you’ve seen the same story.”
A Return Visit To “Hadestown” Reveals The Story’s Eternal Resonance
The last time I wrote something about Hadestown, in reference to the original Broadway production, it was when I found myself harnessing the show’s themes to attempt to make sense of the pandemic’s earliest, most terrifying days. Thus, I am pleased to report that it is under rather less dire circumstances than I find myself now contemplating the show once more after seeing the touring production of the musical this past Tuesday at the Kravis Center, where it is now playing until this January 8th.
MANILOW AT AGE 79 STARS IN FLA LIVE ARENA CONCERT IN SUNRISE
At age 79, singer/songwriter Barry Manilow is possibly the oldest performer to headline a concert at FLA Live Arena when he performs “Manilow Hits 2023” in Sunrise on January 13, along with six other venues in the American Southeast through January 21.
Promoters normally would hesitate to book a singer at age 79 in a 20,000 seat plus arena, but that is not the case for Manilow, whose concerts have filled major arenas for over 45 years.
SFTM Writer Luis Herrera’s Solo Play “As I Eat The World” Accepted Into The New York Fringe Festival
Arts Center Management to Present New Theatrical and Comedy Series Pompano Beach Live!
POMPANO BEACH, FL: Pompano Beach Live!, a programming arm of Arts Center Management (ACM), a South Florida-based theater management, marketing and producing firm, is presenting a diverse lineup of shows at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center in 2023.
Beginning January 27th and running through May 28th, 2023, Pompano Beach Live! will present five exciting productions right in the heart of the eclectic city of Pompano Beach.
Who’s Judging The Judges?
December has certainly been an interesting month in Ilana-land. Though I’ve yet to firmly answer the broader question of “what I’m doing with my life” since moving back from Maryland, at least in terms of that horrible capitalistic necessity of employment, things in that realm do seem as they might be moving in quite an interesting direction, and I’m surprised but satisfied with how busy I’ve managed to keep myself in-between. In fact, between job applications, It’s A Wonderful Life and other New City Players miscellanea, and the rush of theatre openings that saturated the first half of the month, I feel as if it’s only been in conjunction with the holiday that I’ve been able to take a few days off-from-it-all to breathe!!
My Recap of 2022 & Hopes for 2023
This year has come full circle for me as I am ending 2022 where it started. This time last year, I got my dream role of “Sandy” in Grease with MNM Theater Company at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. Fast forward to 2023, I am in the middle of rehearsals for The Full Monty at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. Same venue… different show… different year… still doing what I love!
I thought it would be fun to look back at all of my theater achievements in 2022 and write down my hopes for the new year.
A Fantasy Encounter With Dolly Parton In “Here You Come Again”
The latest show to take the stage at the Kravis Center’s Rinker Playhouse is a new musical creation called Here You Come Again: How Dolly Saved My Life In 12 Easy Songs. The play is written by Bruch Vilanch, Tricia Paoluccio, and Gabriel Barre, the latter two of whom also star in this two-character endeavor.
JAZZ FEST: HEIRS OF LATIN MUSIC’S GREAT MASTERS BRING MAMBO NIGHT TO MIAMI BEACH
Originally published on artburstmiami.com.
Written By Fernando Gonzalez