I was just clickin’ around the Internet yesterday when I came across an inexplicably buried item on MTV’s website that includes one of the best rumors I’ve ever heard: According to Joyce Wishnia Jane Lynch, director/actor/all-around walking pillar of awesome Christopher Guest may be taking his beloved 1996 cult classic Waiting for Guffman (a.k.a. The Funniest Movie Ever Made) to Broadway!! Now, this is all speculation at the moment. And furthermore, I’m more than a little tired of the whole movie-to-stage trend that’s overtaken Broadway in recent years. But in this case, I say DO IT, MR. GUEST! I can hardly think of a film more ripe for a tongue-in-cheek Broadway show than Guffman, the hysterical mockumentary about a theater troupe mounting Red, White and Blaine, a musical celebrating the sesquicentennial of Blaine, Mo., a sleepy little burg that’s widely recognized as the stool capital of the world.
Guffman didn’t make a lot of money when it was released, but it became an instant cult classic on home video, and its rabid fan base (what do we call ourselves? Guffies? Bastard People? Ass Faces?) can quote every wondrous line by heart. The cast is an unparalleled gaggle of funny: Fred Willard, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, Bob Balaban…and of course Guest himself, whose over-the-top performance as seething drama queen Corky St. Clair never grows old. Oh, and the music ain’t so bad, either! Who among us has not wondered what gems like "Stool Boom" and "Nothing Ever Happens On Mars" would look like on a Broadway stage?
What do you think? Should life, in this case, literally imitate art? Should Guest gather the surviving Guffman cast (RIP Paul Benedict and Lewis Arquette) and restage his side-splitting movie on the Great White Way? And if you’ve seen the deleted scenes on the Guffman DVD, are there any numbers that you think should make their way into a new show? Before you answer my questions, please enjoy Ron and Sheila Albertson’s memorable audition below.
Comments (1-28) of 28 Add your comment
Ohmigawd, i hope this happens!!!
ahhhhhhhhhh this is my favorite movie!!!
I can see Chris Guest doing this as an actual show because it’s about a show. Go for it, Chris!
Oh, no. It’s FRED Willard…
On one hand, I am all for it – I too know every line, every lyric, every hub-bub. But, I don’t think it would be nearly as magical unless they manage to wrangle the whole original cast. I doubt that’s possible, but I will hold out hope…
That could be really funny! They really need to put the ‘Nothing Ever Happens on Mars’ in the show should it come to fruition. They’re all so hilarious. Oh, and the actor is Fred Willard, he plays Ron. But regardless, I agree with you 100%.
that would be so funny and ironic, a movei about small town america thinking they are going to broadway actually going to broadway, which is not lost on anyway who knows the movie. I am picturing something like spamalot, which was knowingly tongue in cheek about Show Biz Jazz Hands Big Production Numbers. (There were far more glitter and sequins in possible based from the movie.)
I am TOTALLY a Bastard Person and Ass Face. Guffman on Broadway! Truly twisted and awesome!
Arahsae: I totally agree with you. I think it would be funny, but in order for it to perfect the original cast has to be in it. They make the movie.
How meta.
Parker Posey’s deleted scene ‘audition’ is a MUST if they make a show of this!! Her breaking of character is Guffman perfection.
I think the amazing part would be that, especially if the original cast was more or less in place, they’d end up improvising half of the show. The movie was completely improvised, so it only seems fitting. The show would be a little bit different every night!
“This Bulging River” must make it. I still don’t understand how it was cut. So much intensity and angst…and love.
A. This is a FANTASTIC idea.
B. Sadly, it will likely be passed over in favor of “Thriller”.
“We love you Corky, we want you to live!!” Yes, this must come to Broadway!!!
Yes!! That’d be awesome if Guffman had a stage adaptation!
yes please
Mr. Fonseca, thank you for making my January! Just the idea that this might happen is putting the biggest freaking smile on my face… although I do question how the documentary style would work on stage. It would have to be adapted very well for it to work, but especially with the original cast (LOVE Parker Posey’s audition!!! It MUST be in the show!!!) I would pay just about any amount of money to see it.
I would definitely fly to New York for that! Guffman is a perfect movie.
It would be sort of a twisted version of the Broadway classic Goldilocks which was a musical about a movie.
I shed a single tear when I read this article. Not only do I completely back up this idea, but I insist that Parker Posey’s deleted audition scene be added as well. It’s brilliant – and if you don’t believe me take a peak on the DVD extras. Do you think they could get the guy who plays Mr. G on “Summer Heights High” to take over as Corky?
This is the best article I’ve read all week! This would be completely amazing, and I would be dragging my sister to Broadway to see it too! I hope this happens…amazing!
As a “Bastard Person”, this makes me so very happy. I think I’ll go home and watch my DVD tonight!
I wonder who has the rights and whether we can scoop them for community theatres before broadway starts its run.
The absolutely MUST add the “He’s going to be the next Keanu Reeve. ZZZZ.” deleted scene. Yessssssssssssssssssssss. All my dreams are coming true!!!!!!
That would be a play I’d LOVE to see! Bastard People UNITE!
The Funniest Movie Ever Made … Thanks for recognizing Guffman for what it truly is. Yep, I have probably the entire movie memorized, and I’m constantly trying to spread the joy to the uninitiated.
I have mixed feelings about it on Broadway, though. They’d probably cast different (and younger) actors. It would take a hell of a cast to match the brilliance of the original. And since it was mostly improv …
But I do think that “This Bulging River” would have to be included. And Parker Posey’s audition monologue is a thing of shear comic genius. Her timing is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
I don’t get this whole thing of people bashing movies being made into Broadway shows. No one was complained for years about books being made into Broadway shows. Or Broadway shows being made into movies. What’s with this new backlash trend that’s happening???!!!