All About Musicals

Yes, Margaret Mitchell’s classic epic novel Gone with the Wind is soon to become a musical, with director-extraordinaire Trevor Nunn directing. Gone with the Wind is rumored to have a world premiere date of April 2008, at London’s West End’s New London Theatre.

Apparently the musical, which has been in the works for three years, will be closer-tied to the novel than the 1939 film. I wouldn’t worry much about the authenticity of the story adaptation, as this is not the first epic novel that Trevor Nunn has directed and adapted for the stage; previously he adapted Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby. Nunn seems to have a knack for producing successful epic musicals from epic novels. Look at how successful Les Mis has become!

Though the casting has not been announced, rumor has it that Hugh Jackman may play Rhett Butler, while Jill Paice may play Scarlett O-Hara. (Hugh Jackman would make a yummy Rhett, wouldn’t he?)

Gone with the Wind tells the story of the spoiled Southern Belle, Scarlett O’Hara, and her turbulent relationship with Rhett Butler, during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Period. The beloved novel was published in 1936, and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937, before being adapted for feature film in 1939, with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable portraying Scarlett and Rhett. The novel has deservedly become an American classic.

Frankly, my dear… I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to this!

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