A Monumental Move: Who's BAD!?
So of course one of the greatest music videos of all time is Michael Jackson's "Thriller", we love it because it was completely ahead of its time. Yada, yada, yada, lip service to MJ etc and so on. Well it's slated to hit Broadway...this is gonna be bigger than Color Purple! I'm all over it, ALL OVER IT!
[Source]The New York Post's PAGE SIX is reporting that James Nederlander is producing a musical version of Michael Jackson's video for his hit song ‘THRILLER'. Jackson's album of the same name is the best-selling record of all time. It spawned such hits as ‘Billie Jean', ‘Beat It', ‘The Girl Is Mine' and of course ‘Thriller'. Not much else is known other than a production is being planned. In an age where films are making the leap to the Broadway stage, it doesn't surprise that classic music videos might be thrown into the mix, Thriller in many ways resembled a musical with its dancing zombies and dynamic visuals. Hey, if vampires could take a bite out of the Rialto, why not singing zombies?
November 6, 2008 at 2:43 PM
perhaps counter intuitively, I'm not quite sure how much I support this move. As big a fan as I am, some things are pure and should not be diluted. This can only play out one of two ways.
1) A resounding success of dance, music, and vision that pushes on the themes first set in the video and song.
or
2) A mediocre rehash and stretch of what was already done in a video that is nearly 25 years ago.
I fear that by trying to update the video into a musical it in fact reduces the appeal and mystique and appeal of the original. The video is cherished in context as being well ahead of its time, a barrier breaker on mtv, and driving sales of MJ's best CD.
In a world where CNN can broadcast holograms, Major hollywood movies can star computer generated characters, and musicians release entire albums with auto-tune effects that stretch the limits of credibly making music...are were-wolves, zombies, and a red leather jacket dancing in step really that much of a Thriller?
November 6, 2008 at 3:03 PM
First off, THANK YOU for commenting and reading.
I agree with you for the most part. I don't think they will capture the original magic of MJ's video, but it is always interesting to see what people come up with. (ex:The Wizard of Oz inspired the Wicked book series, which inspired the award winning Broadway play).
Also, Thriller is about more than werewolves, zombies, and red leather jackets---it's an allegory that illustrates that Michael Jackson would rather dance around with ROTTING CORPSES than have sex with a spry, able bodied member of the fairer sex. Think about it, the moment he asks her to go steady he morphs into a violent beast and screams "GO AWAY!". C'mon!
Take into account the overwhelming gay fan base that Broadway has...it's a no brainer!It will succeed. They have a captive audience that can complete relate to the theme of the play.
p.s. Word on the street is Chris Brown has already signed on. (I kid.)
November 6, 2008 at 5:42 PM
p.p.s.
I didn't overlook your snide Kanye reference, I simply ignored it. LOL.