# Books that \*should\* have been made into a musical..
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [November 4, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266 "2009-11-04T09:23:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@frootle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frootle)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/1 "2009-11-04T09:23:12Z")
I did look, but couldn’t find a previous thread… apologies in advance if it’s been done.
Anyway., I’d like to know what the consensus here is about books that _REALLY_ should have become a musical (stage or film acceptable).
I’ve only got a couple to start with here, but I’m sure I’ll be at work tomorrow kicking myself about it.
‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ as a musical somehow tickles me…,
… and I can’t seem to get past the idea of a cookbook (any cookbook) being interesting in a perverse way as well … … …
but that’s just me 😃
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### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/2 "2009-11-04T15:39:47Z")
[Everyone Poops](http://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Poops-My-Body-Science/dp/192913214X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257349117&sr=1-1): The Musical
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### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/3 "2009-11-04T15:40:24Z")
I think any book with interesting characters and plot can be told in music. When I first heard that \*Les Miserables \*was to be a musical my reaction was “No way, how could that story be told in song?” Boy, was I wrong! And who could have predicted _Cats_? Regardless of its merit, or lack thereof, it’s still amazing that a musical could be made from all that poetry.
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### Author:  [@StoutHearted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StoutHearted)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/4 "2009-11-04T15:46:34Z")
“The Handmaid’s Tale” to see the big, goofy production number they’d make of the mating ritual.
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### Author:  [@Sparrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparrow)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/5 "2009-11-04T15:51:30Z")
“Atlas Shrugged”.
:rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/6 "2009-11-04T16:06:48Z")
> [@Sparrow](#):
>
> “Atlas Shrugged”.
>
> :rolleyes:
John Galt’s 70-page long solo number really drags down the third act.
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### Author:  [@Textual\_Intercourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Intercourse)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/7 "2009-11-04T16:42:13Z")
> [@kunilou](#):
>
> John Galt’s 70-page long solo number really drags down the third act.
Agreed. The speech, while gripping for the first 4 hours, would become wearisome in the 5th and 6th. By the 9th hour there definitely may be some walk outs.
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### Author:  [@Textual\_Intercourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Intercourse)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/8 "2009-11-04T16:59:19Z")
The Diary of Anne Frank.
There’s actually a story behind this idea. A guy I work with who is “not all there” once told me in jest (_I think_) about his idea for an Anne Frank musical.
He proceeded to sing me a few lines from the would-be play…
_in a whispery sing songish voice_
“They’re comin’ up the stairs…I HEAR THEM…yes they’re comin’ up the stairs” _long pause here_ then… GASP! “could it be, could it be…”
He accompanied this rendition with a series of shuffling steps to the left and then to the right. There was a grand sweep of the arms when the “GASP” part came. I took this to be the dance number that would go with the scene he was performing.
Perhaps it would have done well. I mean, who wouldn’t have a soft spot for a troupe of singing and dancing Nazi’s?
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### Author:  [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/9 "2009-11-04T17:15:24Z")
> [@Textual\_Intercourse](#):
>
> The Diary of Anne Frank.
>
> There’s actually a story behind this idea. A guy I work with who is “not all there” once told me in jest (_I think_) about his idea for an Anne Frank musical.
>
> He proceeded to sing me a few lines from the would-be play…
>
> _in a whispery sing songish voice_
>
> “They’re comin’ up the stairs…I HEAR THEM…yes they’re comin’ up the stairs” _long pause here_ then… GASP! “could it be, could it be…”
>
> He accompanied this rendition with a series of shuffling steps to the left and then to the right. There was a grand sweep of the arms when the “GASP” part came. I took this to be the dance number that would go with the scene he was performing.
>
> Perhaps it would have done well. I mean, who wouldn’t have a soft spot for a troupe of singing and dancing Nazi’s?
[It’s been done at least twice!](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/arts/08arts-ANNEFRANKMUS_BRF.html)
I’m so glad they made \*Wicked \*into a musical, because that book kind of sucked, despite a cool idea, and the show absolutely rocks.
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### Author:  [@StoutHearted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StoutHearted)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/10 "2009-11-04T19:13:53Z")
> [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](#):
>
> [It’s been done at least twice!](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/arts/08arts-ANNEFRANKMUS_BRF.html)
>
> I’m so glad they made \*Wicked \*into a musical, because that book kind of sucked, despite a cool idea, and the show absolutely rocks.
Absolutely! I was shocked by how awful the book was. I don’t expect adaptations to faithfully mirror their inspirations, but the book was just all over the place. The musical at least gave it focus.
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### Author:  [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/11 "2009-11-04T21:11:14Z")
> [@Textual\_Intercourse](#):
>
> The Diary of Anne Frank.
>
> There’s actually a story behind this idea. A guy I work with who is “not all there” once told me in jest (_I think_) about his idea for an Anne Frank musical.
How about [The Diary of Anne Frankenstein](http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/DIARY_OF_ANNE_FRANKENSTEIN_Previews_1013_At_13th_Street_Rep_20090806)? (Not a joke.)
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### Author:  [@Textual\_Intercourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Intercourse)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/12 "2009-11-05T16:13:00Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#):
>
> How about [The Diary of Anne Frankenstein](http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/DIARY_OF_ANNE_FRANKENSTEIN_Previews_1013_At_13th_Street_Rep_20090806)? (Not a joke.)
That’s pretty rock n roll.
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### Author:  [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/13 "2009-11-05T16:29:27Z")
**The Accidental Tourist** , only because of its musical name: _ **Accidental!** _
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### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/14 "2009-11-05T17:08:13Z")
> [@bup](#):
>
> **The Accidental Tourist** , only because of its musical name: _ **Accidental!** _
The score would have lots of sharps and flats, I assume.
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### Author:  [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/15 "2009-11-05T18:45:02Z")
Watership Down could be an excellent musical.
The Story of O.
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### Author:  [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/16 "2009-11-05T19:13:38Z")
The Name of the Rose could work decently as a musical, perhaps blending showtunes with religious chants.
American Psycho seems like an obvious choice to me, since extreme violence, 80s pop-rock, and an incoherent denouement are all things I look for in my Broadway musicals.
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### Author:  [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/17 "2009-11-05T19:18:52Z")
> [@typoink](#):
>
> American Psycho seems like an obvious choice to me, since extreme violence, 80s pop-rock, and an incoherent denouement are all things I look for in my Broadway musicals.
I would go see this. Sort of like an 80’s style **Sweeney Todd** , but with even more blood arcing across the stage.
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### Author:  [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/18 "2009-11-05T21:13:36Z")
Does it count if they actually made it? **[Carrie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_%28musical%29)**, adapted from the Stephen King novel.
The **World War Z** musical would be awesome. A three-hour _Thriller_-dance!
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### Author:  [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/19 "2009-11-05T21:19:38Z")
[All This and World War II](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_This_and_World_War_II).
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [November 5, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-that-should-have-been-made-into-a-musical/516266/20 "2009-11-05T22:15:41Z")
Franz Kafka’s _Metamorphosis_.
Max Bialystock, paging through scripts: “_Gregor Samsa awoke one day to find out he had been transformed into a giant cockroach. Too good._”
There are other Stephen King novels that deserve to be made into musicals, chiefly _The Stand_. Imagine the boffo musical number when Trashcan Man blows up Gary, Indiana.
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