IDW Publishing Forums

[lbh]

Over the past several days word has leaked out that the Producers of “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark” Glen Berger and Roberto Aruire-Sacasa, Director Philip William McKinley, Elton John and Mathew Broderick have been meeting with representatives of Toho about producing a Godzilla Musical for Broadway. Despite the involvement of Mr. Broderick however, who is acting as an executive producer, Godzilla is to be portrayed as closer to as he was in the 60s films. The story will also have two other classic kaiju, though the story could change the basic outline is as follows.


The Shobojin are brought to New York to petition the U.N. for protective status for Infant Island, suddenly Godzilla appears a begins to attack the city, the Shobojin call upon Mothra who drives him away but is badly injured. A mysterious powerful businessman allows Mothra to heal upon one of his properties in the city and creates a publicity campaign around the Shobojin, convincing them that it will help their cause (it is rumored that Hugh Jackman has offered the role for the first 10 Broadway performances, dependant upon his filming schedule.) At first they are hailed as heroes but are soon appalled how they seem to be treated as freaks, then rumors spread that they setup the battle with Godzilla to further their cause.


At their lowest point in their despair the Businessman says that he can make them fully human. They except his offer but soon after the Sisters part ways, one becoming a famous singer the other falls by the wayside and begins to regret her decision until falling in love with a young scientist studying the monsters. Mothra, cut off from the Shobojin becomes a cold heartless creature and is used by the Businessman to release an ancient evil called King Ghidorah as part of his plan to remake the world in his own image. Godzilla returns to fight Ghidorah but can only fully defeat him with Mothra’s help and the only way get her to do so is for the Shobojin to give up their new found human lives.


Needless to say that the biggest challenge for the production (aside from portraying the Shobojin’s small size on stage) will be creating the monsters live on stage. Mothra will be realized by an actress suspended from a wire rig above the stage and connected to huge canvas wings, singer actress America Olive, who had a similar type role in “Spiderman Turn Off the Dark”, seems to be first in line for the part. Jim Henson’s Creature shop has been approached to create the 30 and 40 foot animatronic upper bodies of Godzilla and Ghidorah, which will be set behind miniature building sets in the foreground, using these and other stage magic to make them look bigger. Their biggest challenge however will be to make the facial features able to look like they are signing, as Mothra is said have 3 to 4 songs, Godzilla and King Ghidorah 1 to 2 each.



Titles for some of the songs have been provided but as they are in the early stages of being composed these could change or even be dropped. Among them are some variations of the classic Mothra themes, “Don’t you want to reach those heights” the song where the Shobojin are made the offer to become human. “I feel you less each day” from when Mothra feels her connection to the Shobojin slipping away. “The sad Dynamics of violence” a post Godzilla rampage song. Also Godzilla’s introductory song “This Lizard is King” and Ghidorah’s later musical response, “There is only room for one King...and that’s us three”


If all goes as planned auditions and casting will begin this fall, set construction and choreography for late 2012 thru early 2013 with a possible premiere for early 2014. Any thoughts on this April Foolishness?

[Rhuen]

I hope that is a hoax, or you are playing an April Fools joke because that just sounds awful.

[klen7]

...i'd still pay to see it....

[Warzonebeta]

Oh thats very lovely... and I have a paddle.

*points paddle* Bad executives bad! Me spank!
_________________
There are no fools in life only idiots.

There was once a wall here...its gone now