THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

[jo]

Jan 17, 2017 8:35:16 GMT -5 qwerty said:

I remember hearing about this project way back in 2015. I actually thought it was gonna be something like Les Miserables but when I heard it's gonna be something classical, it excites me more.

Considering my parents grew up in classical musicals, this will cater to older audiences who wants to feel nostalgia in watching musicals. Also,my parents still remembered watching the Ringling Brothers on TV so it will be a nostalgia to the older generation.

As for the millenials like me, I wouldn't be too worried because TGS got Zac and Zendaya. Second, I speak up most of the millenials are actually more interested in classical style. La La Land had a good recption to both young and new.

For the cast and crew? Say no more, the writers for the songs are the same as La La Land! And Bill Condon is also involved. I'm not sure about the director because he is a newbie. Nevertheless, I wish them luck for this project 😄

I think when Michael Gracey said that THE GREATEST SHOWMAN will be in the tradition of classic musicals ( and he mentioned Sound of Music, West Side Story, and Mary Poppins), he wasn't referring to the musicals of the golden days of musicals in Hollywood, where there wasn't much of plots and characterizations, but were sheer entertainment ( circa Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, etc) -- I think, by using his examples, he may have been referring to dramatic musicals, where there is a substantive plot and full characterizations, where the storytelling is highlighted by very good acting and where part of the storytelling is expressed through music ( song and dance). I am sure there will be drama and there will be spectacular musical numbers. The references to family-friendly stories relate to The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins while drama and dance and song are the backbone of West Side Story.

That wouldn't make it too far off from Les Miserables, which I would consider as full-on drama where the storytelling is done masterfully via acting, expressed through music. However it was the choice of Tom Hooper to give us a more powerful version of the tale given us by literary giant Victor Hugo... and thus put acting out the drama as the priority, with the singing complementing the acting choices! Les Miserables is a through-and-through dramatic musical! But while some miss the singing Olympics from the stage version of Les Mis, the 2012 film adaptation puts more emphasis on the acting!

I imagine THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is a family -friendly musical with lavish attention to the musical score and dance! It is a biopic so we can expect a look at how his upbringing may have impacted on how a man ( a business man) invented the concept of show business, earning the title of impresario! Of course we will also see his various accomplishments as an impresario, including the founding of the bigtime, bigtop circus!

As to the creative team, Pasek and Paul did NOT write the full musical score for LALALAND -- they only wrote the lyrics for something like 5 songs in that movie. They have been more known for their musical scores for the theatre, including their new Broadway hit, Dear Evan Hansen ( about teenage angst )...and of course THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. Bill Condon only added his inputs to the screenplay but the final one was written by Oscar winner Michael Arndt.

Let's cross our fingers that people become enchanted with this 2017 Christmas offering


Jo

[jo]

Jan 17, 2017 9:30:13 GMT -5 qwerty said:

[quote author="jo " timestamp="1484660488" source="/post/24274/thread--

/quote]

Les Miserables was discussed in my literature class while ago and my professor is planning to make us watch the 2012 version. I could say it is successful coming from literature students like me 😂

Hey, I envy you -- getting to see the film adaptation of the LES MISERABLES musical version for the very first time ...or one more time -- 
Don't forget to bring lots of tissues

Did you get to read the unabridged version of VICTOR HUGO's monumental work? I read it twice -- when I first saw the musical on Broadway decades ago...and when the filming of the 2012 movie was underway. I was kind of lucky to have shared all those moments of anticipation with many Les Mis fans, a group that was formed on IMDB coming from many backgrounds who were great fans of the musical. We only got occasional set photos ( but only towards the end when media started covering the filming). Most of our "watching" were done via obscure video clips of songs when they were doing outside filming...and because some of the cast ( the younger ones) were very active on social media and shared what was happening on set. But the one who was the most entertaining was Russell Crowe -- who injected a lot of humor in his tweets! He also eventually shared with us why he voted for Hugh for Oscar Best Actor! Hugh occasionally shared some featurettes on some aspects of filming, giving us some glimpses of sets and costumes. We also gossiped a lot on that forum ( such as the audition stories)

Back to the film adaptation --

*The film's major advantage was that it filled in a lot of what stage productions missed in terms of significant events in Valjean's life and his relationships with others in the novel. I will not list them, as you may want to discover them yourself.

*We were gifted with excellent actors and thus the storytelling was made more compelling.


Let us know how you find the 2012 film adaptation in the light of your class discussions! There is a separate section on this forum that is devoted to Les Miserables!


Jo

[jo]

Frequent tweeter Katrina Perkins writes a blog --

katrinaperkins.wordpress.com/2017/01/14/greatest-week/

Greatest Week
14 January 2017 //
7

This was the first week I was paid to work full-time on-set. Hugh Jackman is starring and producing a biopic of P.T. Barnum, a passion project long in the works, titled “The Greatest Showman”.  By far the best production I have ever been a part of, both because of the entertainment level of the movie and the kindness of the crew. The songs are incredible, one better than the next, written by two of the composers from award winning “LaLa Land” (Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) with splendid dance numbers (I only know the choreographer as Ashley, he is amazing!).


From the fitting a month ago, where the wardrobe department dressed me three different options, to the first day of filming this past Monday, even with a 3:30 am wake-up to begin filming at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, I have been completely enthralled. This energized and colorful movie set in the 1860’s feels like it is going to be the Christmas blockbuster of 2017. I have never encountered such a kind and truly generous leading man as Hugh Jackman. He handed out lotto scratch off cards to the crew Friday morning, upon introduction – hugged their friends and family visiting the setup, and hired an Italian sausage food truck for the final late night of the week, too. No wonder the production feels so happy and work proceeds with ease, even on perpetual 14 hour days.
The inspiration from the beautiful, uplifting, strong songs, seeing the unrelenting happiness and work ethic of the main man, and the collaboration of many talented artists to create this masterpiece goes without compare.

What a powerful way to begin this new year. Two weeks in and it is a blessing I am grateful to have experienced this motivating force of art that emboldens one to continue recent endeavors, to push for more achievements, and to dream even bigger with the belief that enough hard work, perseverance, and patience, can, and will make all dreams true. Everyone starts somewhere; everyone is inspired by someone. I am a very thankful woman; may I grow ever more so throughout the year.

According to the cast list on IMDB, Katrina is supposed to portray " Mom".

[jo]

A Brit filmsite, Den of Geek-UK, lists THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ( and LOGAN) among the major movies to watch out for in 2017 --

www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/2017-movies/45542/35-big-movies-coming-our-way-in-2017

[qwerty]

Jan 17, 2017 21:07:05 GMT -5 jo said:

Jan 17, 2017 8:35:16 GMT -5 qwerty said:

I remember hearing about this project way back in 2015. I actually thought it was gonna be something like Les Miserables but when I heard it's gonna be something classical, it excites me more.

Considering my parents grew up in classical musicals, this will cater to older audiences who wants to feel nostalgia in watching musicals. Also,my parents still remembered watching the Ringling Brothers on TV so it will be a nostalgia to the older generation.

As for the millenials like me, I wouldn't be too worried because TGS got Zac and Zendaya. Second, I speak up most of the millenials are actually more interested in classical style. La La Land had a good recption to both young and new.

For the cast and crew? Say no more, the writers for the songs are the same as La La Land! And Bill Condon is also involved. I'm not sure about the director because he is a newbie. Nevertheless, I wish them luck for this project 😄

I think when Michael Gracey said that THE GREATEST SHOWMAN will be in the tradition of classic musicals ( and he mentioned Sound of Music, West Side Story, and Mary Poppins), he wasn't referring to the musicals of the golden days of musicals in Hollywood, where there wasn't much of plots and characterizations, but were sheer entertainment ( circa Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, etc) -- I think, by using his examples, he may have been referring to dramatic musicals, where there is a substantive plot and full characterizations, where the storytelling is highlighted by very good acting and where part of the storytelling is expressed through music ( song and dance). I am sure there will be drama and there will be spectacular musical numbers. The references to family-friendly stories relate to The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins while drama and dance and song are the backbone of West Side Story.

That wouldn't make it too far off from Les Miserables, which I would consider as full-on drama where the storytelling is done masterfully via acting, expressed through music. However it was the choice of Tom Hooper to give us a more powerful version of the tale given us by literary giant Victor Hugo... and thus put acting out the drama as the priority, with the singing complementing the acting choices! Les Miserables is a through-and-through dramatic musical! But while some miss the singing Olympics from the stage version of Les Mis, the 2012 film adaptation puts more emphasis on the acting!

I imagine THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is a family -friendly musical with lavish attention to the musical score and dance! It is a biopic so we can expect a look at how his upbringing may have impacted on how a man ( a business man) invented the concept of show business, earning the title of impresario! Of course we will also see his various accomplishments as an impresario, including the founding of the bigtime, bigtop circus!

As to the creative team, Pasek and Paul did NOT write the full musical score for LALALAND -- they only wrote the lyrics for something like 5 songs in that movie. They have been more known for their musical scores for the theatre, including their new Broadway hit, Dear Evan Hansen ( about teenage angst )...and of course THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. Bill Condon only added his inputs to the screenplay but the final one was written by Oscar winner Michael Arndt.

Let's cross our fingers that people become enchanted with this 2017 Christmas offering


Jo

Yes! I completely agree everything you said 😃

[qwerty]

Jan 17, 2017 21:36:07 GMT -5 jo said:

Jan 17, 2017 9:30:13 GMT -5 qwerty said:

[quote author="jo " timestamp="1484660488" source="/post/24274/thread--

/quote]

Les Miserables was discussed in my literature class while ago and my professor is planning to make us watch the 2012 version. I could say it is successful coming from literature students like me 😂

Hey, I envy you -- getting to see the film adaptation of the LES MISERABLES musical version for the very first time ...or one more time -- 
Don't forget to bring lots of tissues

Did you get to read the unabridged version of VICTOR HUGO's monumental work? I read it twice -- when I first saw the musical on Broadway decades ago...and when the filming of the 2012 movie was underway. I was kind of lucky to have shared all those moments of anticipation with many Les Mis fans, a group that was formed on IMDB coming from many backgrounds who were great fans of the musical. We only got occasional set photos ( but only towards the end when media started covering the filming). Most of our "watching" were done via obscure video clips of songs when they were doing outside filming...and because some of the cast ( the younger ones) were very active on social media and shared what was happening on set. But the one who was the most entertaining was Russell Crowe -- who injected a lot of humor in his tweets! He also eventually shared with us why he voted for Hugh for Oscar Best Actor! Hugh occasionally shared some featurettes on some aspects of filming, giving us some glimpses of sets and costumes. We also gossiped a lot on that forum ( such as the audition stories)

Back to the film adaptation --

*The film's major advantage was that it filled in a lot of what stage productions missed in terms of significant events in Valjean's life and his relationships with others in the novel. I will not list them, as you may want to discover them yourself.

*We were gifted with excellent actors and thus the storytelling was made more compelling.


Let us know how you find the 2012 film adaptation in the light of your class discussions! There is a separate section on this forum that is devoted to Les Miserables!


Jo

Of course! Too bad I have to wait after my midterms week to watch this in class because my professor wants a film showing of Les Miserables next month. Anyways, I will let you know how I thought about it 😉

[qwerty]

Jan 18, 2017 8:32:29 GMT -5 jo said:

Frequent tweeter Katrina Perkins writes a blog --

katrinaperkins.wordpress.com/2017/01/14/greatest-week/

Greatest Week
14 January 2017 //
7

This was the first week I was paid to work full-time on-set. Hugh Jackman is starring and producing a biopic of P.T. Barnum, a passion project long in the works, titled “The Greatest Showman”.  By far the best production I have ever been a part of, both because of the entertainment level of the movie and the kindness of the crew. The songs are incredible, one better than the next, written by two of the composers from award winning “LaLa Land” (Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) with splendid dance numbers (I only know the choreographer as Ashley, he is amazing!).


From the fitting a month ago, where the wardrobe department dressed me three different options, to the first day of filming this past Monday, even with a 3:30 am wake-up to begin filming at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, I have been completely enthralled. This energized and colorful movie set in the 1860’s feels like it is going to be the Christmas blockbuster of 2017. I have never encountered such a kind and truly generous leading man as Hugh Jackman. He handed out lotto scratch off cards to the crew Friday morning, upon introduction – hugged their friends and family visiting the setup, and hired an Italian sausage food truck for the final late night of the week, too. No wonder the production feels so happy and work proceeds with ease, even on perpetual 14 hour days.
The inspiration from the beautiful, uplifting, strong songs, seeing the unrelenting happiness and work ethic of the main man, and the collaboration of many talented artists to create this masterpiece goes without compare.

What a powerful way to begin this new year. Two weeks in and it is a blessing I am grateful to have experienced this motivating force of art that emboldens one to continue recent endeavors, to push for more achievements, and to dream even bigger with the belief that enough hard work, perseverance, and patience, can, and will make all dreams true. Everyone starts somewhere; everyone is inspired by someone. I am a very thankful woman; may I grow ever more so throughout the year.

According to the cast list on IMDB, Katrina is supposed to portray " Mom".

This is so cool. Too bad we don't have much set photos, then again I love surprises 😉

[jo]

Thanks to JackmansLanding for the link --

www.entrepreneur.com/article/287857

10 Memorable Quotes From the 'Worlds Greatest Showman' P.T. Barnum
He co-created the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which is closing its doors after 146 years.




Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | Getty Images


Nina Zipkin
Entrepreneur Staff
Staff Writer. Covers media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

January 16, 2017


After 146 years in business, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will officially take down its giant tent this spring.


In its announcement, the circus’s parent company Feld Entertainment explained that, “The decision to end the circus tours was made as a result of high costs coupled with a decline in ticket sales, making the circus an unsustainable business for the company.”
The release also cited the removal of the elephants from the circus as part of the drop in ticket sales. What was left unsaid was the fact that the circus has been the subject of protests -- about the treatment of those elephants and other performing creatures -- from animal rights activists and nonprofits such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) for decades.


Perhaps the most enduring aspect of the circus’s legacy isn’t the show at all, but that third name in its title, Barnum. P.T. Barnum was a 19th century entrepreneur who is remembered as the “Great American Showman.” He is also falsely attributed with coining the phrase, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”

He held a variety of jobs over the course of his life. He came from a family of farmers, and early on was the publisher of a newspaper and the producer of a traveling variety act.

He opened Barnum’s American Museum in New York City in 1842. While Barnum was known for peddling hoaxes, and the museum’s top attractions remain as controversial as ever, he was instrumental in shifting societal mores about the value of pop culture and public entertainment in America.


It was after the museum burned down in the 1860s that he became a politician. The Connecticut native served in the state’s legislature for four terms and ran on an anti-slavery, pro-temperance (meaning he was a fan of Prohibition) platform. He was also the mayor of Bridgeport, Conn.

When he was 61, he joined forces with James Bailey to create what he called “The Greatest Show on Earth.”



Read on for 10 quotes from Barnum about the art of business.

“Unless a man enters upon the vocation intended for him by nature, and best suited to his peculiar genius, he cannot succeed.”

“The plan of 'counting the chickens before they are hatched' is an error of ancient date, but it does not seem to improve by age.”

“Politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in business.”

“Nobody ever lost a dollar by underestimating the taste of the American public.”

“Let your motto then always be 'Excelsior,' for by living up to it there is no such word as fail.”

“The foundation of success in life is good health: that is the substratum fortune; it is also the basis of happiness. A person cannot accumulate a fortune very well when he is sick.”

“Whatever you do, do it with all your might. Work at it, if necessary, early and late, in season and out of season, not leaving a stone unturned, and never deferring for a single hour that which can be done just as well now.”

“The great ambition should be to excel all others engaged in the same occupation.”
 
“My inexperienced friend, take it for granted that they all tell the truth -- about each other! -- and then transact your business to the best of your ability on your own judgment.”

“Fortune always favors the brave, and never helps a man who does not help himself.”

[jo]

P.T.Barnum has also written an autobiography called THE LIFE OF P.T. BARNUM (Written by Himself).

I picked up my copy from Amazon.


Jo

[jo]

Looking relaxed on set --






Other major cast --

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4138078/Hugh-Jackman-gets-cheeky-smile-Michelle-Williams.html



Hugh is looking great and looking quite relaxed! Things must be going well with the filming

[jo]

In the previous photo, it was Hugh who was seen wearing UGG boots -- Michelle Williams wear the same type as they filmed in Brooklyn --

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4140918/Hugh-Jackman-looks-smart-steps-P-T-Barnum.html




Looking like a ahowbiz impresario! I am not sure that he is wearing a wig...maybe his real hair is long enough for a hairdresser to do the trick of fluffing and curling it a bit? The look does evoke a little of Barnum's curly and parted hair.

[jo]

His leading ladies --

[jo]

[jo]

How different he looks from Logan


Jo

[njr]

Jan 20, 2017 16:57:42 GMT -5 jo said:

In the previous photo, it was Hugh who was seen wearing UGG boots -- Michelle Williams wear the same type as they filmed in Brooklyn --

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4140918/Hugh-Jackman-looks-smart-steps-P-T-Barnum.html




Looking like a ahowbiz impresario! I am not sure that he is wearing a wig...maybe his real hair is long enough for a hairdresser to do the trick of fluffing and curling it a bit? The look does evoke a little of Barnum's curly and parted hair.

That is clearly a wig! Compare to photo where he's in his street clothes.

Nancy

[mamaleh]

P.T. Barnum must be grinning in the Great Beyond to see how gorgeous he's going to appear on screen. I have a feeling the diminutive, plain-looking Cole Porter must have felt the same way when Cary Grant portrayed him in NIGHT AND DAY. Verisimilitude is highly overrated, as I may have suggested before.

Ellen

[jo]

Check out his hair in this very recent interview -- it seems long enough for a hairdresser to do the trick of fluffing it out and adding a bit of curl --

www.digitalspy.com/movies/wolverine/news/a819480/hugh-jackman-says-logan-different-universe-x-men-films/

Wearing a wig must be uncomfortable -- but of course it could be the demands of the role. Why not just grow it longer and let the hairdresser create the film look via natural means?

Lol - this has become our great debate

I don't really care so long as Hugh is able to portray P.T.Barnum good enough to fit the film story ( there will likely be departures from the strict biography anyway ).

As Ellen says -- Hugh does not even remotely resemble P.T.


Jo

[jo]

That looks more wig than Jackman hair!!

[jo]

[jo]

Some media units relate the current Jackman project ( Greatest Showman) to some extent to the recent news of the closing of the Ringling/Barnum/Bailey circus.

i95rock.com/hugh-jackman-gives-bethels-own-pt-barnum-his-due-shooting-close-to-home/

Maybe the connection will have a positive effect, in publicizing the movie?


Jo

[jo]

Do read the entire article on Michelle Williams - it is an excellent portrait of the kind of person and performer that she is. Some mentions of The Greatest Showman ( quotes from Hugh) and how it is also impacting on her life --

www.wsj.com/articles/through-it-all-michelle-williams-is-having-a-blast-1485187247


Excerpts --

But these days Williams is reaching for other priorities. Performing in Cabaret was so rigorous she often went home crying. “That was a bruiser,” she says. “Matilda’s pediatrician asked me how I was doing, and I said, ‘The show is driving me into the ground. It’s very difficult.’ He said, ‘Surely there’s access to joy somewhere out there.’ I thought, I just have to find the joy.”

Filming The Greatest Showman has helped. Williams plays Charity, the wife of P.T. Barnum, and theirs is “a truly great love story,” Jackman says. “She’s so luminous she’s like Grace Kelly. It’s a really joyful part, and it’s a very happy set. We’re singing and dancing and having the time of our lives.”

For Williams, such exuberance is quite a departure from the emotionally tormenting roles she usually chooses to play. These days she loves going to work, and she seems genuinely surprised by how much fun she’s having. She’s also excited about playing Janis Joplin in Janis, the upcoming movie that will be directed by Sean Durkin.
“I’m having a blast,” Williams says.

[jo]

Oscar nominations for 2017 --

variety.com/2017/film/news/2017-oscar-nominations-academy-awards-nominees-1201968107/


Congratulations to Michelle Williams (Best Supporting Actress)!


Congratulations to Pasek and Paul ( Best Original Song - for 2 songs)!

[jo]

[foxie]

The closing may actually help the film people are devastated about the closing so may want to renew their love of the circus!

[jo]

Also, it is not just any circus... It is the closing of the RINGLING, BARNUM & BAILEY Circus!

That may carry the nostalgia feeling even further when they realize that P.T.Barnum is The Greatest Showman referred to in the movie.

The timing of the release is also providential as it is opening on Christmas Day when families may want to see entertainment together! I am pretty sure Fox will not allow it to get an R-rating