‘The Phantom of the Paradise’ Might Find New Life as a Stage Play

The ghost of paradiseThe very underestimated horror rock opera of the spirit of Brian de Palma (Carrie) and Paul Williams (The film MUPET))could obtain a new musical adaptation. Cinema That Williams and Sam Pressman, whose father Ed Pressman produced the 1974 cult film, is currently developing it as a stage production.

“I am delighted to have the chance to deliver what fans have suggested for years … Potp As a stage musical, “said Williams in a statement in Moviemaker.” I think his time has come! “” American psycho The Bret author Easton Ellis was approached for the pen (please, no), but he is not engaged according to the report.

If you have never heard of The ghost of paradiseBring yourself to a projection of Revival Theater or rent it online, especially if you are a fan of the Muppets. I know it seems weird to draw a line of “Rainbow Connection” and “No cheeses for us meeces” to a glamorous and bloody riff from the 70s on The ghost of the operaBut stay with me for a moment. Not only was the musical of De Palma and Williams before Broadway by Andrew Lloyd Webber on the novel by Gaston Leroux, but she inspired so many artists that we know and love today. After its release The film MUPET And The MUPET Christmas song. Meanwhile, from Palma continued to pass from the genre of horror to the films of the crowd and started the Mission: Impossible franchise.

THE Phantom of Paradise vaguely adapts The ghost of the opera by way of Bewilder with a pinch of The image of Dorian Gray But reinvented in masterful musical chaos. He follows a modest composer named Winslow Leech who continues an agreement with the Devil in the form of the Swan musical producer, played by Williams in a delicious turning point for the multi-hypenate. (He also played the penguin Batman: the animated series.)

Thanks to his association with Death Records, Leech’s musical talents are torn off and pressed like his face in records that do not give him his songs. This includes the tunes that transform Leech Crush Phoenix, the ingenuate played by Jessica Harper (Sighs)in a pop star. Smeding Revenge, he becomes the ghost of paradise and violently haunts each Swan artist tries to give his music, until they conclude an agreement that Leech’s music will only go to Phoenix. And from there, things become really messy and bloody, but guy, the drops of needle are legendary.

So legendary that the film, a bit like its creative minds behind, has also inspired artists through mediums. Guillermo Del Toro is a vocal fan of the film and played a decisive role to ensure that he remains in the horror Zeitgeist. He even has one of the Phantom helmets in his dark collection, which I did not completely imagine pulling a lacma robbery when he was exposed there.

The film has also become a touchstone for other musicians. The one who really hit me personally My chemical romance was strongly inspired by the film. I did not see it before I am an adult, which I deserve a circle of shame as a ghost of universal opera monsters and fan of original novel – but I knew MCR The black parade. The No-Skips album is essentially a rock opera and it was logical to discover that Gerard Way was strongly influenced by Ghost in its creation. If anything, Way should write the book for the next staging of Williams and also play it.

Another act that is underway GhostThe spell offers an even more fun achievement: Daft Punk. Until the helmets, aesthetic and its phantom, this film really gave us the biggest electronic duo to shoot. Williams appeared on Souvenirs of random access Track “Touch”, which rings as if it has been drawn from a revival machine as Phantom of Paradise On the b.

The ghost of paradise was ahead of her time and the announcement of her stage musical gave me hope that she will find her audience. If they modernize it, I wouldn’t hate it because I see the vision. The themes are timeless even in our digital time when content creators with talents who try to build a next one are torn off by artificial influencers with influence. It can be very bloody / ghost compared to the swan code for sure. Williams is a cold stone legend and his mastery of music is a gift that always gives Coachella’s head this year with Yo Gabba Gabba!

Although Palma’s mentioned report was approached about the staging, it does not make it an announced part. “We certainly want Brian to feel honored,” said Pressman in the article. “I went to see Brian last fall, to talk about the dream. Ghost It was an early and significant film for him and I would say my father’s favorite film in his career. I think that chaos and the originality of all experience have been deeply inspiring. »»