Uh oh, it's Magic!

So, like most civilized humans in these here United States, I saw Harry Potter 6 last week.  I'll spare you the review because my whole view on the HP films is that we like them, even when we don't like them as much as the books or the other movie installments.  It's my theory that if you went in to the most recent movie liking everything up to it, you'll probably like this one.  If you don't, you'll still watch it again to tie everything together.

What I really was thinking during this movie is:  Ok, when will Warner Bros. and JK Rowling allow this to become a big musical on the Great White Way?  Or, has someone already optioned it?  And, yes, I know about the You Tube musical.  Somehow, I don't think that will be the future Broadway adventures of Harry Potter.  Although, I guess I wouldn't be surprised if those kids have already taken a few meetings.  Based on what has been happening and what is about to happen this upcoming season, it appears that things just keep getting bigger and bigger (and you thought Lion King was the be all, end all of budget explosions).

I submit this:  Spiderman: Turn off the Dark.   This is not a joke.  If you live in NYC, you know about it.  If you don't:  Surprise!  The web-slinger is gonna tap dance!  Directed by Julie "Puppet Master" Taymor (who also directed Lion King), with music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge, it is slated to open in early 2010.  Rumor has it that the show is already at a $50 million budget and it doesn't even have insurance bonding yet!  If the budget did not increase, which it undoubtedly will, the show will have to sell out at full price for 8 years!  Now, yes, some shows run for many, many years.  However, I don't think Phantom has sold out at full price since the early 90's (tell me a time where you DIDN'T see it at the TKTS booth).

The reason this is not a large concern:  Movie Studio Money.  Like Shrek and many before it, much of the money for these shows come from the studios that produced or distributed the movie(s). To them $50 million is a Kate Hudson romantic comedy that can last a weekend in the theater, then be that "must-get" Valentine's Day DVD.  It's nothing.  It's a write-off if it fails.  

So, here's the question.  Are audiences gonna go to see this show?  And if the answer is Yes, are they going to see it just to see how Julie and the gang are gonna pull it off?  Is it all novelty and no substance?  Are we, as theatre-goers, getting dumbed down for the sake of special effects? Well, it remains to be seen.  But, I guess, truth be told, this could be just the modern-day version of landing a helicopter on stage or a falling chandelier.

By the way, click here.  While this musical has no plans for Broadway (yet), it has been done...in front of audiences...believe it...