The Trial of the Chicago Seven - A Musical?

[jo]

Nov 11, 2020 22:50:05 GMT -5 jo said:

Not a rumor for a forthcoming project ... more like a wish list


Not also sure if this will be a film musical... or a stage musical


www.broadwayworld.com/article/Aaron-Sorkin-Thinks-THE-TRIAL-OF-THE-CHICAGO-7-Could-Be-A-Musical-20201111

In a recent virtual 92Y talk, screenwriter and director Aaron Sorkin discussed musical potential for his most recent project, the courtroom drama The Trial of the Chicago Seven.

Sorkin said, "You're going to laugh at me for saying this, but I think this would be a great musical."

Stage and screen star Hugh Jackman showed immediate interest, writing in the chat: "Let me know when it's finished ...I'm happy to audition."

The film follows the Chicago Seven, a group of anti-Vietnam War protesters charged with conspiracy and crossing state lines with the intention of inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago.

It features an ensemble cast that includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Daniel Flaherty, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Keaton, Frank Langella, John Carroll Lynch, Eddie Redmayne, Noah Robbins, Mark Rylance, Alex Sharp, and Jeremy Strong.

Haha - so there was a reason why he was in the ZOOM/Chat room

Maybe this time, they can now actually successfully work together? But I hope the composer is not Steven Schwartz - he does take his time to complete his work. They did try together to get something done for HOUDINI but it did not push through.


Jo

[jo]

Nov 11, 2020 23:06:25 GMT -5 jo said:

Is this an unlikely subject? Not necessarily. I remember once having some doubt about seeing a musical about the sectarian violence problem in Northern Ireland. But because it was a musical composed by ALWebber, I went to see the musical called A Beautiful Game ( now known as Boys in the Photograph) in London. It focused initially on young men playing football( soccer football, hence the title A Beautiful Game) but became involved in the civil unrest in the divisive religious war ( not too dissimilar to the setting of The Ferryman). It was a beautifully composed dramatic musical! But the saddest musical I have ever seen!

It is the drama in the lives of the people involved that can drive this storyline.

Jo

[jo]

Here is an IMDB summary of THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO SEVEN --

In Chicago 1968, the Democratic Party Convention was met with protests from activists like the moderate Students for a Democratic Society led by Tom Hayden and the militant Yippies led by Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, which led to violent confrontations with the local authorities. As a result, seven of the accused ringleaders are arraigned on charges like Conspiracy by the hostile Nixon administration, including Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers who was not involved in the incident. What follows is an unfair trial presided by the belligerent Judge Hoffman (No relation) and prosecuted by a reluctant but duty-bound Richard Schultz. As their pro bono lawyers face such odds, Hayden and his fellows are frustrated by the Yippies' outrageous antics undermining their defense in defiance of the system even while Seale is denied a chance to defend himself his way. Along the way, the Chicago 7 clash in their political philosophies even as they learn they need each other in this fight.

Eddie Redmayne plays Hayden, Sacha Baron Cohen is Hoffman, while Seale is played by the actor who played Zendaya's brother in TGS.

Hugh has worked with them in musicals ( Les Miserables/Greatest Showman)


Jo

[jo]

Given the above, which role could suit Hugh? The 2 main characters ( Hayden and Hoffman) were in their early 30's in 1968.

Of course on Broadway, age-appropriate casting has not always been followed. On film, unless the character ages in the role, it is more usual to cast them close to the age of the true-life character.

Maybe Hugh was simply expressing some wishful thinking


Jo

[jo]

Interesting fact -- Aaron Sorkin graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in musical theatre!

So he does fully appreciate why the material could be musicalized and how it can be musicalized.

Jo