TOTD -- What play, comedy or drama, would you most like to see turned into a Broadway-style musical?
Not totally adhering to the topic, but I once had the idea of making
The Miracle Worker into a big, rousing, Jerry Herman-like musical called
Workin' Miracles (ideally starring Sandy Duncan as Anne Sullivan.) I got about as far as writing the cast recording album notes listing the numbers:
"Acute Child"--Kate Keller's sweet lullaby to Helen which turns dramatic
when she realizes that Helen is blind and deaf.
"Helen Around the House"--the Keller family, along with Vinnie the maid,
bemoans life with Helen--a comedy song
"We Don't Want to See You Go"--A song and dance number for the blind
girls as they say good-bye to Anne at the train station.
"You Bit Off More Cake Than You Can Chew"--James playfully teases (and
flirts) with Anne.
"The Dinner"--Stylized dance number for Anne and Helen as they struggle
over the fork and napkin.
"Workin' Miracles!"--The title song is performed by Anne when Kate
becomes discouraged by Helen's lack of progress. The song builds to a
rousing dance number as Anne and Kate are joined by Vinnie and Percy and
the other servants.
"Jimmy, Jimmy"--Anne's recollection of her dead brother--a ballad.
"You Can Have Your Cake (And Spell It, Too!)"--comedy number with Anne
and Percy as they try to teach Helen how to sign.
"How Can I Teach Her to Spell Love?"--Anne's first act closing ballad.
"They Don't Pay Me Enough" opens the second act--a comedy number sung by Vinnie.
"Why Can't She See?"--James sings of his unrequited affection for Anne.
"C-I-R-C-U-S"--the big production number. A travelling circus and its
performers provide the setting as Anne tries one last desperate attempt
to teach Helen the connection between signing words and their meanings.
"The State Home for Women Dream Ballet"--Anne is transported back in
time to relive the horrors she and her brother suffered as children.
"Very Good, Helen!"--the family sings praises of Helen's new dinner
table manners just as she slowly begins once again to test their
tolerance.
"Reach Those Fingers Up to Heaven"--Vinnie encourages the down-spirited
Anne with this soul stirring gospel number.
"Wah!"--Helen sings at last. This number segues into...
"She Knows!"--Anne sings triumphantly as Helen demands to know the words for everything in sight.
"The Key to My Heart"--the closing number in which Anne and Helen sing a
duet of their love for each other.