Coens' 'Hudsucker Proxy' Becomes a Musical

Big Picture reader Scott pointed us in the right direction on this one after our story about Christopher Guest possibly taking Waiting for Guffman to Broadway: Joel and Ethan Coen's The Hudsucker Proxy will be turned into a stage play as part of the 2009-2010 season at La Jolla Playhouse. Playbill reports that the play has book and lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Stephen A. Weiner, who writes on his website that the writing duo acquired the rights to Proxy back in 2001, and has spent the past eight years in development. You can listen to five songs from the musical on Weiner's blog. The Hudsucker Proxy will take the stage in July and August as part of La Jolla Playhouse's Page to Stage Workshop, which means that it will not be critically reviewed. Weiner also writes that the play is scheduled to debut on Broadway next year. I guess if you have to make a Coen Brothers musical, this is as good a choice as any of them, save O Brother, Where Art Thou?. What must have proven difficult for Slater and Weiner is keeping that very distinctive rhythm of Coen Brothers dialogue. Huducker is not their best film, but it has its moments, and I'd hate to see it just turn into a song and dance show that just has the same basic story.

Comments

[Lengthy Johnson]

Well, the story of the Hudsucker Proxy is rather unremarkable. It is the cinematic handicraft, with clever photography, editing and sound that sets it out.

Dialogue is strong as always but also subtle.

I wonder if it'll work. Obviously the Coens must have thought so or they wouldn't have approved it?

[Scott]

I actually think this could work. I've always thought Hudsucker was an underrated Cohen flick (especially when you consider a few that are overrated). The creative team may actually benefit from the fact that this is one of the lesser known Cohen Brothers films. After listening to the songs (thanks for the link!) it seems they're trying their best to maintain the same odd humor as the film which is defintely a good sign. I'd much rather have Hudsucker Broadway bound over the inevitable Lewbowski debacle sure to eventually come (it's too big of a cult hit to avoid an eventual stage treatment, it's a great film but would make a horrific musical). I'm still waiting for Woody's Bullets Over Broadway or Purple Rose of Cairo to get the musical treatment (Purple Rose being my favorite choice). I mean, hey, if Bono can put Spiderman on Broadway.......

P.S. Thanks for the shout out, Colin!

[Dan]

I've always loved this movie. The music isn't even half bad, either, if you go look at Weiner's blog. We've gotta wait till the 2010-11 season to see this, I'll be waiting anxiously.

[Alex]

Well, having listened to a few of the tunes from this show, I'm not all that impressed. The musical is set in 1958, however the music has a feel of around Prohibition era, and really doesn't have that much of a catch to it.

From his music, I much preferred Manhattan 4am.

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