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Mars Attacks Attacks Broadway


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The next familiar property to get reborn as a Broadway musical is…Mars Attacks? As unlikely as it may seem, the infamous Topps trading card line which was the basis for Tim Burton’s campy 1996 film is headed to the Great White Way next year to tie in with the 50th anniversary of the franchise. (The anniversary will also see the release of a new Mars Attacks comic by IDW and a reissuing of the original cards). Produced by Topps and IDW Publishing, Mars Attacks: 21st Century Slaughter will be written by Chew’s John Layman and promises plenty of showstoppers along with all the charming gore that the cards are known for. Says Layman:

My approach to MARS ATTACKS on stage is sort of a science fiction version of West Side Story: a human and a Martian involved in a star-crossed romance, set against the backdrop of a violent interstellar war–with all of humanity caught in between! It’s going to be a rollicking good time, with songs that will make you want to get up and dance!

Post Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, it’s easy to be cynical about any musicals based on nerd properties. Yet if there’s one property that could fill the Little Shop of Horrors/The Toxic Avenger: The Musical cult production niche, it’s Mars Attacks. Especially if they take a cue from the film and write Tom Jones in as a character or compose a song performed entirely in “Ack Ack” speech. The only way I see this show going wrong is if Julie Taymor gets the directing gig and opts to use real Martian death rays. (Via Geeks of Doom)