Todays news comes from a new source, not yet known to be completely reliable, but we will see soon.

This latest theater announcement made my heart do a little dance: Continuing the trend of adapting film for the stage (Legally Blonde,Shrek, Young Frankenstein, 9 to 5), Little Miss Sunshine the musical will premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA next February!

The 2006 Sundance hit about a uniquely dysfunctional family — which was nominated for four Academy Awards — will be adapted by William Finn and James Lapine, who previously collaborated on 2005′s hilarious tale of awkward phonetic prodigies, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Lapine, a three-time Tony Award winner, has also frequently collaborated with legendary Stephen Sondheim.

On paper, this has the makings to be an unstoppable hit, but can this oddball dark comedy really make a successful transition to the stage?

I vote yes. The film already provides a raunchy Rick James performance, which can easily be made even more outrageous in the context of a musical. But does the rest of the film warrant musical numbers? Sure! How about a solo from the heroin-using, foul-mouthed grandfather (portrayed on-screen by Alan Arkin) about all the worldly advice he gives his grandson? (“F— a lot of women kid.”) Or motivational speaker Richard Hoover (Greg Kinnear) going into a hilarious song and dance interpretation of his nine-step “Refuse to Lose” program? Given Finn and Lapine’s success with wordy misfits in Spelling Bee, they seem more than ready to handle turning Sunshine into a musical. Is anyone else excited? Do you think Little Miss Sunshine will make a good musical? Any other film you’d like to see on stage?

Thanks to “popwatch” for this bit of news.

–Admiral Eo

This week I look into a new musical with a sense of nostalgia to the original form of stage musical. It’s a return for broadway leaving the more contemporary rock shows to the classics such as “West Side Story” or “A White Christmas”.

A BRIEF MUSICAL DESCRIPTION:

Come Fly Away combines the seductive vocals of Frank Sinatra with the sizzling sound of a live 19-piece big band and the visceral thrill of Twyla Tharp’s choreography. Fifteen of the world’s best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love at a swinging nightclub on a sultry summer night, set to a score of beloved Sinatra classics including “The Summer Wind,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “One for My Baby,” “My Way,” “Theme from New York, New York,” and “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

Theirs no doubt that this musical would be a hit since it was directed by Twyla Tharp who is known to create spectacles on stage. One of her most famouse works on broadway was the song titled show “Moving Out” which was a musical told only in dance using the stunning music created by Billy joel.

Other works by Twyla Tharp include “Singing in the Rain” and “Hair”. Here’s the big question, should you see it? Well to be honest, I have not seen it yet but I do plan on a trip to New York very soon and I will definitely be checking it out. Curious though, do you guys think Sinatra music would be a good  choice for live theater?

–Admiral Eo

This week I thought I would go over some classics, the movies that changed cinema forever. Yes, their are musicals that have changed cinema. These are the films that inspired a generation and have stood the test of time. Please know that this is my list and is very opinionated. These are the films I personally thought belonged at the top.

Let’s begin…

3) “West Side Story” — Never has dance/fighting been so cool. This film was and is one of the best adaptations of Romeo and juliet to be told ever.

2) “Singing in the Rain” - If you’re not a fan of Gene Kelly, I don’t know how you could or will ever truly appreciate the art of dance. HE IS THE MAN. If you ever want to study dance, look him up, he’ll change your world.

Gene Kelly + Roller Skates = INCREDIBLE

This is also very neat…

and 1) “The Wizard of Oz” - Perhaps THE film that changed cinema. It has been called the #1 fantasy film of all time and it’s easy to see why. It has everything you want in a movie and more!

I would love to know what you guys consider to be the greats. Any others you believe to be up here in the three? Do you agree with my picks?

–Admiral Eo

Well I got a very fun/disturbing post for you all this beautiful saturday morning.

Let me start off by saying that I LOVE Star Wars. I might be the biggest fan of the series ever. Empire Strikes Back is the best film ever made…in my opinion. So I was excited and horrified when I found a musical version of a New Hope. It is awful. I mean it’s really really bad. So bad that its good!

It is in every way everything that you never want to see fully produced on stage because it would ruin every single thing that we all love and hold dear to our hearts. Check out the video below.

I know…it’s bad. I told you it was. If you’re like me than you didn’t finish watching it because you would rather stick chop-sticks into your cerebellum.

Check out the official website here!

If their ever was going to be a Star Wars Musical, don’t you guys think John Williams would write the music?

Well, more to come next week. Love to know what you all think about this, chat it up folks.

“Now don’t get cocky!”

–Admiral Eo

This week we have an interesting post. If you have not seen it yet, the new trailer for the third “Step Up” movie is now out on the internet. If you have not seen it (or if you want to see some pretty impressive moves) watch the video below.

3D has finally caught on to the dance world and I have to say that I am very excited. I think that what some of these dancers can do is nothing short of amazing and I can’t wait to see what happens when I put on the DisneyDigital3D glasses. I can remember when my father took me to see Captain-Eo with my older brother…it was incredible and it changed my life forever. Watching Michael Jackson move in 3D was astonishing and I can’t wait to see what these B-Boys have to offer in the world of 3D.

Now…lets talk about the “Step Up” movies for a second…

STEP UP: I never really liked this movie. I thought that the dancing was under-whelming and the directing here didn’t offer anything we haven’t seen already. Channing Tatum was a terrific dancer but he alone could not make the movie worth a second viewing. My opinion.

STEP UP II: New characters. New director. New opinion. When this film came out I was a bit hesitant at first but when I saw the film I was completely shocked at how much better it was than the first. It even had the only highlight from the first movie, Channing Tatum. The way they showcased the dancing in this film was spectacular. They found a way to show us everything we wanted to see without all the fast MTV Music Video cuts to hide any flaws. It felt like you were actually there with the dancers.

How can you not say this is incredible?

STEP UP III-D: I have to say, I think this has potential to be the best in the trilogy. The trailer looks promising with its high paced and multiple styles of dance just in the two and a half minute trailer. I guess we will find out in August…

Keep dancing,

Admiral Eo

Nothing would make me happier in life than if people suddenly burst into song to share their emotions with the world. For the most part, that doesn’t happen. Sometimes we are lucky enough to witness such a moment. Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, I present to you “Random Acts of Dace: Part One”.

3) Our first random act of dance today come all the way from Belgium where more than 200 dancers perform their rendition of Do Re Mi from the Sound of Music. This took time and energy that does not go unnoticed.

2) Our second random act of dance you may have seen before. This video got very popular very quickly and if you haven’t seen it that’s okay…because that’s why I’m here…to open your eyes to “The Food Court Musical”

1) And our last video of the day come to us from Queens New York. This video is my number one pick for the day for two reasons. Reason 1: Look how happy everybody gets in this video? You can’t help but smile when you see the reactions of the people watching. Reason 2: Its called “The Grocery Store Musical”

Well that’s all for now but be looking out for Part Two in the next couple of weeks. Would love to know, what video you think is the best musical?

- Admiral Eo