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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Aug 19, 2008 13:06:51 GMT -5
The Count of Monte Cristo is the new Musical by Frank Wildhorn and is set to open in St.Gallen - Switzerland on the 14th March 2009. The title role will be played by Thomas Borchert. Koen Schoots will serve as musical director and Kim Scharnberg will provide orchestrations. I doubt however any CD will come out of this production but I honestly hope it to go in the Pimpernel-style and not Carmen-like
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Post by Valancy on Aug 19, 2008 13:24:41 GMT -5
There is already a thread on this here: musicalvillage.proboards36.com/index.cgi?board=europe&action=display&thread=948However, since there's no discussion in that thread either, I guess it'll make sense to keep either of the two threads. And this title makes it clearer which musical we're talking about. I suppose it's being sort of "test-driven" in St. Gallen, so if it seems to turn out good, there might be another German production somewhere else later. I'm curious to see how this will turn out, though having seen the character list I'm wondering just how much Wildhorn has butchered the story to make it work with just those characters. Oh well, Wildhorn's approach to his source material is always rather... Wildhorn-ish, I'm quite used to it. I read the book this summer and I think I'm far too used to Wildhorn's style of making musicals, because throughout the reading, I kept going "this is where we'll have a dramatic duet, and that is obviously a place for an Angsty Solo, and there we'll have an ensemble song which sounds like this and this". I'll be curious to find out how right I was.
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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Aug 19, 2008 13:31:33 GMT -5
Damm...I never find the threads... :x I searched but I didn't saw it...well anyway... I've never read the entire book, since I always procastinate the classics...but I'll see if I'll finish it someday. I love Wildhorn's works, even when he butcheres it a bit but for example, he did an amazing job with Jekyll & Hyde since the original book is...crappy and way too little. On the other hand, having Thomas originating a role is always a good thing since so far I never saw him do that (remember Dracula was originated by Tom Hewitt on B'way ) I'm also expecting this show to have a rather amount of comic moments a la Pimpernel, so I'll like to see Thomas in a more comic tune.
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Post by Nene on Aug 19, 2008 14:01:16 GMT -5
Damm...I never find the threads... :x I searched but I didn't saw it...well anyway... I can't find threads even when I know for a fact there was already one on the topic.... Wildhorn has a habit of using numerous ballads, which I do not think is ideal for this to work. I don't think I've seen an adaptation of any type that has been a success, IMO. The Count of Monte Cristo is a completely different beast from anything Wildhorn has done. It's enormous and relies heavily on dialogue. I think I could go on and on. I have many concerns over this. It is my favorite piece of literature so I am going to be very difficult to please on this one. btw, where is the character list for the musical?
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Post by senyoritones on Aug 20, 2008 3:27:27 GMT -5
Nene, please consider looking into the anime adaptation, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo. It's mostly faithful to the book (which is also my favorite piece of literature) but in the parts where it differs, improves on it (in my opinion at least). I also find it a very intelligent take on the material, this time placing Albert Mondego as the protagonist and letting us see the real consequences of Edmond's actions. Just give it a try and keep an open mind :-)
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Post by vampbear on Sept 9, 2008 13:50:26 GMT -5
I've just booked for next May! So I shall report back.
St Gallen seemed like a good spot for a holiday;-)
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Post by Valancy on Sept 9, 2008 14:06:21 GMT -5
Ooh, that's great! I don't think I'll be able to get to St. Gallen to see it, so I'll be very interested to hear your report.
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Post by Cia on Sept 24, 2008 4:14:58 GMT -5
According to MusicalZentrale there will be a pre-cast-CD in English. The release date is November 7th 2008 and the cast includes Thomas Borchert, Pia Douwes, Patrick Stanke, Mark Seibert, Mathias Edenborn, Jesper Tydén, Alexander Goebel and Brandi Burkhardt, though at least this far Thomas is the only one who has been announced to be in the final cast for the musical.
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Post by vampbear on Sept 25, 2008 2:29:19 GMT -5
Ooh, fab, I shall look out for that CD! I just hope I like it though, my ticket for the show in St Gallen has just arrived
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Post by Martina on Sept 26, 2008 7:42:19 GMT -5
I was thinking: whose role do you think that Pia could sing? Maybe the older Mercedes? Or can you think of any other women in the book??
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Post by Valancy on Sept 26, 2008 8:06:56 GMT -5
Mercedes, no doubt. The only female characters from the book who are taken into the musical (there's a casting call I've seen in a German musical magazine, I forget which one) are Mercedes and Valentine. And it's only in the beginning that Mercedes is young, most of the action takes place when she and Dantes are in their 30s and 40s, so she'll probably just have one or two songs to sing where the character is much younger than she is.
I imagine Jesper would sing Albert's part, Albert is the only one of the younger men who was listed. Hmm, I'll be very interested to hear this CD. Even if I don't like Mark Seibert or Patrick Stanke and have no opinion on Brandi Burkhardt, the cast list is otherwise impressive, and I'm just curious to hear this. I guess Wildhorn wants to be able to promote the show also in English though the premiere is in German, and at the same time with such a cast he can guarantee that it will sell in Europe.
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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Sept 27, 2008 8:53:14 GMT -5
Oh no...another CD now no...I am bankrupt... But I guess I'll have no choice. Not with that Cast...
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aaric
Audience Member
Posts: 38
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Post by aaric on Oct 3, 2008 2:16:28 GMT -5
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Post by Valancy on Oct 3, 2008 2:41:27 GMT -5
Valerie? I thought the character was called Valentine. Anyway, that's surprising. Anyone familiar with Pia will nowadays connect her with mature, complex women, not young innocents like Valentine. I guess Wildhorn wanted more songs for Brandi Burkhardt... Well, maybe this means that there could be a Jesper/Pia duet (since I think the characters were cast as lovers in the character list of the casting call, even if they are not in the original), which is something I would love to hear.
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Post by Nene on Oct 3, 2008 4:18:52 GMT -5
Valerie? I thought the character was called Valentine. Anyway, that's surprising. Anyone familiar with Pia will nowadays connect her with mature, complex women, not young innocents like Valentine. I guess Wildhorn wanted more songs for Brandi Burkhardt... Well, maybe this means that there could be a Jesper/Pia duet (since I think the characters were cast as lovers in the character list of the casting call, even if they are not in the original), which is something I would love to hear. No, no, no. Pia is too old for Valentine! Hmm, It's been a long time since I read the book, but I don't think they ever name Madame Danglars or Madame de Villefort. Could be either of those. Though age wise she fits Mme Danglars better. But they could get away with an older Mme. de Villefort. Though this is doubtful because Wildhorn will eat up the Valentine/Fernando relationship. Crap. I am very angry. edit: found their first names, so not either of them. so... probably Valentine. What is he thinking?!
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