The New York Times: The year was 1969. The producer Stuart Ostrow and the director Peter Hunt already had a hit show on Broadway with “1776.” Now they were setting their sights on “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” Stephen Vincent Benét’s classic 1936 story about Jabez Stone, a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the devil, has second thoughts, and enlists the orator and statesman Daniel Webster to argue his case before a jury composed of American villains. The tale had been adapted into a 1939 opera and a 1941 movie, but never a musical.
2 comments:
The idea of putting the “oldest poet” and the “youngest poet” together for a collaboration just seems like a rough time. When hearing about this project first and foremost - it sounds like something well-suited for Dylan’s musical talents - however, his inability to collaborate obviously made this a difficult process. Although the scope and aesthetic of this show seems very up Dylan’s alley, theatrical productions are incredibly collaborative. I assume the making of a record is also collaborative, but on Dylan’s own album he can write in whatever direction he wants, and that amount of freedom isn’t the same when writing a musical. On a completely different note, I had never heard of “The Devil and Daniel Webster” before reading this article. I see that aside from a written story it was made into a film and an opera, and I think the premise would have been interesting for the time. I wonder if it would be able to do well if someone spearheaded it in current times, but I may just check the film out.
I am personally a big Bob Dylan fan. I think his music is so poetic and honest and would love nothing more than to see more shows on Broadway take his influence and music into their songs. While at first listen it may be difficult to see how his work could make a perfect Broadway musical, but it has spoken to so many people’s souls throughout the years because of the stories he weaves and the feelings his music sparks. Its interesting how Dylan’s first musical was posed as the “opposite of the musical”, when in fact his music ideals are already so similar to a musical. While Dylan’s music may not be an obvious 11 o’clock number, every song has a personality, motivation, and storyline behind it that when placed together in certain orders and given dialogue can become a beautiful musical tale and endeavor. Knowing a bit about Dylan and his temperament I can understand how he backed out of his first musical production, but it does make me sad to know that an amazing musical beginning is now lost to history.
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