Houdini musical headed to Broadway in 2010

Tony Award-winning producer Scott Sanders and Tony nominated architect/set designer David Rockwell announced plans today to present HOUDINI, An Original Musical on Broadway in the spring of 2010.

Danny Elfman

The creative team includes Danny Elfman (music), David Yazbek (lyrics), Kurt Andersen (book), and Jack O'Brien (direction). HOUDINI, An Original Musical marks the Broadway debuts of Mr. Elfman and Mr. Andersen, and first-time producing debut for Mr. Rockwell, who will also design the sets.

"When David Rockwell asked me to join him as a co-lead producer, I didn't hesitate for a moment. Houdini is an amazing, iconic figure who continues to captivate our imagination more than 80 years after his death. His colorful world defines the theatrical and, combined with this remarkable creative team, will make for a fascinating and entertaining musical," says Scott Sanders.

"The musical theater has always been a passion of mine, and I can't imagine a more thrilling opportunity than the creation of a new musical, especially with this team" adds David Rockwell.

Broadway theater, casting and full design team will be announced at a later date.

Source: Broadwayworld.com

Houdini The Movie Star DVD collection released today

Purchase on Amazon

Kino International's new DVD box set collection of Houdini’s silent films, Houdini The Movie Star, is released today.

Houdini The Movie Star includes The Master Mystery, Terror Island, The Man From Beyond, Haldane of the Secret Service, a 5 minute fragment from The Grim Game, and filmed records of Houdini escapes from 1907 to 1923. The most significant film here is Haldane of the Secret Service which has never before appeared on any retail format (and is a much better film, IMO, than it's reputation would suggest).

I'm currently working my way through the set. The films looks great and the archival footage is amazing, especially the 1907 bridge jump in Rochester NY. I also found the footnotes very very good. There's more info about Houdini's movie career on this DVD than you find in many biographies. Even some stuff I've never heard before, like the battle with the censor board over the asylum sequence in The Man From Beyond.

There is also a lengthy chunk of Houdini very first narrative film, Merveilleux Exploits du Célébre Houdini à Paris (1909), although Kino does not credit it as such and simply includes in in the archival footage.

What a gift this set is to Houdini buffs! Now if we can only get a copy of The Grim Game...