🎶 Dunninger, Hoo-dee-nee, and Doug! 🎶

This week marks the 50th anniversary of The Magic Show, which opened at the Cort Theater on May 28, 1974. The Broadway musical launched the career of Doug Henning and opened the door on the next Golden Age of Magic. Doug's style was modern and up-to-the-minute, but he always honored the past, especially Houdini. The play even uses Houdini's name in its opening number, Up To His Old Tricks by Stephen Schwartz (lyrics below). So, yeah, we love Doug!

Hey, can't you just feel the strange excitement
The quiet commotion that we share
There's something like tingling in the darkness
There's something electric in the air
'Cause there's one thing I know turns a man of sixty
Back into a child of six:
Watching Dunninger, Houdini
Or Doug—the magic man
Up to his old tricks

You go spend an evening at the movies
And smile at the shadows on the screen
You turn on a radio or record
And dance to a voice you've never seen
But thеy don't make you gasp like a silly schoolboy
Or giggle likе a bunch of hicks
Not like Dunninger, Houdini
Or Doug—the magic man
Up to his old tricks

Clap clap
Pop up the dusty flowers
Hooray, hoorah
Break out the bowl of goldfish and the scarves
Ooh…ahhh
Saw the beautiful lady in half again…

Wasn't that illusion fun?
Not if you know how it's done

It may not be the world's most esteemed profession
But if sure beats law or politics
So here's to Dunninger, Houdini
And Doug—our magic man
Up to his old tricks

For all things Doug, check out The Doug Hennig Project by our friend Neil McNally.

Related:

• Doug Henning marks Houdini's 100th
• "Houdini must have been crazy to do this."
• My first look at the real Houdini

10th Anniversary: Wild about Danny

It was ten years ago today that I landed a "scoop" (of sorts) by attending a panel at the San Diego Comic Con featuring Danny Elfman. At that time Elfman was working on a big budget Broadway musical about Houdini with Hugh Jackman earmarked for the lead. Click the link to see what Elfman had to tell us Comic Conners.

Elfman gives update on 'Houdini' at Comic-Con

TEN YEAR UPDATE: The Houdini Broadway musical went through a long and rocky development. Elfman was eventually replaced by Stephen Schwartz and Aaron Zorkin was brought on to re-write the book. The musical was finally announced for the 2013/14 season. But Zorkin's script did not conjurer magic, and Jackman and Schwartz left the project which was put on indefinite hold in 2014.

I would still love to hear the music Elfman created for Houdini.

Related:

• Welcome to our WILD 10th year!
• New York Times: What went wrong with Broadway's Houdini musical
• New Houdini stage musical announced for 2021

Ricky Jay has passed away

Sad news today. One of the true giants of the magic world, Ricky Jay, has passed away. He died yesterday at his home in Los Angeles of natural causes. He was 72.

Ricky Jay's career was varied and unique. He was not only a star of magic, but also appeared in films, once even playing a James Bond henchman (Tomorrow Never Dies). His one major involvement in the Houdini world that I'm aware of was consulting on the ill-fated Houdini Broadway musical that was to star Hugh Jackman. He also appeared as himself in the Houdini episode of The Simpsons. I've also always thought of his classic book, Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women, as a companion to Houdini's Miracle Mongers and Their Methods.

In 2013, I saw Ricky speak at the Motion Picture Academy Theater in Los Angeles on the subject of magic in film. As part of his presentation he spoke about Houdini and showed a clip from Terror Island.

You can read Ricky Jay's obituary at The New York Times.

Related:

• Terror Island terrorizes the Academy
• Houdini gets The Simpsons treatment
• New York Times: What went wrong with Broadway's Houdini musical

Hugh Jackman inhabits another Showman

When the Broadway Houdini musical starring Hugh Jackman fell apart in 2015, Jackman went off to do a musical biopic of P.T. Barnum instead. Now here's the trailer for that movie. Hard to watch and not think about what could have been.

P.T. Barnum died the year Houdini entered show business (1891), so the two men never met. But the world of Dime Museums and Circus, Houdini's bread and butter in his early years, was very much the world of P.T. Barnum.

There is, however, a more tangible connection between the two showmen. Houdini claimed that his vanishing elephant, Jennie, was a descendant of Barnum's own Jumbo. She wasn't, of course. Jennie was part of Powers Elephants who belonged to the New York Hippodrome. That was just Houdini engaging in a bit of old school Barnum "humbug."

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

Related:

• New York Times: What went wrong with Broadway's Houdini musical
• Hugh Jackman bows out of Houdini Broadway musical
• Memories of "Dime Museum Harry"

New York Times: What went wrong with Broadway's Houdini musical

The New York Times has an article by Patrick Healy all about the tortured development of the Houdini Broadway musical. The project, which was first announced in 2008, lost its star, Hugh Jackman, and composer, Stephen Schwartz, last year. This was after writer Aaron Sorkin left the project the previous year.

Below is a highlight from the Times piece which gives insight into what this production could have been:

[Aaron] Sorkin chose to set his story during Houdini’s final days, in 1926, with much of the action taking place in flashbacks. (A copy of his 2012 script, with Mr. Schwartz’s lyrics, was provided to The New York Times by a member of the production team.) The show centered on Houdini and Margery Crandon, who emerges as a complex character, by turns antagonistic and comforting, as she accompanies him in a dreamlike state as he relives moments in his life. (Jane Krakowski of TV’s 30 Rock and a Tony winner for Nine, played Margery in readings.) Some passages are funny, some tender, but many others are full of the long, brainy conversations that are a hallmark of Mr. Sorkin’s writing but less common in musicals. (Mr. Sorkin’s agent said that the writer would not comment for this article.)

Mr. Schwartz, meanwhile, wrote more than a dozen songs for the show, exploring Houdini’s relationship with his rabbi father (“Have a Little Faith in Me”) and the inherent deceptiveness within illusions (“It’s a Cakewalk”). But work sessions proved difficult to schedule; in 2011, for instance, members of the “Houdini” team flew to San Francisco to meet Mr. Jackman, who squeezed in meetings as he was rehearsing a concert that would soon become his smash revue “Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway.” And developing thrilling moments of magic often seemed secondary to the plot about the spiritualists.

Kenneth Silverman, author of the biography Houdini!!! The Career of Ehrich Weiss, who has not been involved with the show, said the focus on Houdini and Margery was “an intriguing idea” for a musical but also potentially fraught.

“Houdini’s experience with her and the spiritualists was a very hostile one, but focusing on it risks taking away from the hugely entertaining moments of illusion and escape that defined his life,” said Mr. Silverman, a Pulitzer Prize winner in 1985 for his biography of Cotton Mather.

For those who worked on “Houdini,” the show remains a delicate, even painful subject. Most declined to comment on the record or would answer questions only by email through publicists. Many said they didn’t want to draw attention to the musical’s travails because its producers are trying to attract a new creative team and star to resuscitate the show. “We strongly believe ‘Houdini’ can be a remarkable theatrical experience,” said David Rockwell, one of the producers. “It’s not easy to create new work, yet the greatest rewards come from big thinking and creative risk.”

Click to read the full article at The New York Times.

Thanks to Dave Sikula.

Stephen Schwartz now off 'Houdini'

Just in case you needed more evidence that the Houdini Broadway musical is dead, composer Stephen Schwartz is now off the project, according to Broadway World:

When asked about "Houdini", the musical which was originally set to star Hugh Jackman in a Broadway run, Schwartz revealed his involvement with that project is over, "although others may pursue it."

Schwartz's departure follows that of writer Aaron Sorkin in early 2013 and star Hugh Jackman in December of that same year. The project was first announced in 2008. Below is the timeline of what has been a disappointing journey for Houdini fans.

Broadway Houdini Musical timeline:

• Houdini musical headed to Broadway in 2010 - April 17, 2008
• Hugh Jackman said to be rehearsing 'Harry Houdini' - March 27, 2009
  
• Hugh Jackman confirms he’s Houdini - April 22, 2009
• Elfman gives update on Houdini musical at Comic-Con - July 23, 2010
• Jackman says Houdini musical “off and running” - October 26, 2010
• Aaron Sorkin writing the Broadway Houdini musical - November 2, 2010
• Houdini Broadway musical announced for 2013-14 season - January 4, 2012
• Aaron Sorkin updates progress on Houdini musical - June 7, 2012
  
• Jackman "very excited" about Houdini musical - June 12, 2012
• Houdini Broadway musical update - October 12, 2012
• David Rockwell talks HOUDINI - November 24, 2012
• Aaron Sorkin drops out of Houdini - January 29, 2013
• Houdini musical now looking to 2014 - July 24, 2013
• Jackman's 'Houdini' might open first in Chicago - August 30, 2013
• Houdini Broadway musical delayed…again - December 3, 2013
• Hugh Jackman bows out of Houdini Broadway musical - December 23, 2013
• Schwartz confirms Houdini is on hold - April 1, 2014

Schwartz confirms Houdini is on hold

It's frankly been a frustrating experience reporting on the big Houdini Broadway musical. First announced in 2008, I sensed the beginning of the end when Aaron Sorkin left of the project in early 2013. Then last December star Hugh Jackman backed out. Still, producer Scott Sanders issued a statement saying, "We will continue to move forward with our remarkable creative team as they craft this ambitious new musical."

Now composer Stephen Schwartz has confirmed for Vulture.com that the musical is indeed on hold. Says Schwartz:

"It's on hold for now. I think he [Jackman] didn't really understand, to be perfectly honest, how much work a brand-new musical takes. Every show he's ever done, whether it's been a musical or a straight play, has been a show that somebody else has done … When he suddenly looked at the fact that he has this other career, it just became impractical for him, frankly."

So there we go. Let's forget about this one for now. Hopefully if I ever post about it again it will be something more positive. And while I suspect the book by Sorkin is the real problem (he was an odd choice for writer, IMO), I've no doubt that the music by Schwartz is magnificent.

Might it be possible to record and release a soundtrack of just the music?

Hugh Jackman bows out of Houdini Broadway musical

Variety is reporting that Hugh Jackman has dropped out of the Houdini Broadway musical. The article by Gordon Cox says:

Hugh Jackman has stepped away from the upcoming Broadway musical “Houdini,” citing the scheduling demands of developing a new tuner as the cause of his departure from a project to which he’s been attached, both formally and informally, for several years now.

“I have greatly enjoyed the collaborative process on ‘Houdini,’” the actor said in a statement. “Ultimately, though, I wasn’t able to commit to the time this role will require. I have tremendous respect and admiration for the creative team and I wish everyone the best. I know they’re well on their way to making something extraordinary.”

Of the actor’s departure, producer Scott Sanders said in a statement, “Hugh has been terrific to have on this part of our journey. We will continue to move forward with our remarkable creative team as they craft this ambitious new musical.”

Variety optimistically speculates that:

Although the thesp’s exit takes the heat down a tick, the brewing tuner will still be closely watched since it’s the latest project from composer Stephen Schwartz, whose last musical, “Wicked,” has been one of the Rialto’s top grossers for a decade now.

If there’s a silver lining to Jackman ankling his role, it’s that producers won’t be saddled with a property that would likely be indelibly linked to Jackman in tickeybuyers’ minds, thereby making casting his eventual replacement an enormously difficult task.

Can't say this is a surprise. It's been clear that this project was on the ropes after Aaron Sorkin left the project in early 2013. The Houdini Broadway musical has been in the works since 2008.

Houdini Broadway musical delayed…again

The Houdini Broadway musical has been on the ropes since last January when writer Aaron Sorkin left the project. Over the summer, star Hugh Jackman said that a December read through of the first act would decide the fate of the show.

Now Broadway.com reports that "the musical has disappeared from next year's lineup and is aiming to hit the Great White Way in the 2015-16 season. No official dates, theater or additional casting have yet been announced."

The Houdini musical has been in the works since 2008. Even though it has top talent involved -- music by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and director Jack O’Brien (Hairspray) -- it's starting to look less and less likely that we will see Hugh Jackman as Houdini on Broadway anytime soon, if ever.

Related posts:

• Aaron Sorkin drops out of Houdini
• Houdini Broadway musical announced for 2013-14 season
• Houdini musical headed to Broadway in 2010

Terror Island terrorizes the Academy

Houdini lived in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night when a clip from Terror Island was screened as part of Ricky Jay's "Like Magic" presentation at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The talk covered magic in the movies from early cinema pioneers like Georges Méliès to modern special effects masters. Houdini's involvement in cinema was noted with the Terror Island clip (the gallows scene) along with still images from The Master Mystery and The Grim Game.

Ricky also mentioned that it had recently come to light that Houdini performed as part of a "traveling cinema show" in the late 1890s. I admit this was the first I'd heard of this and would certainly be interested in hearing more.

Ricky Jay was joined onstage by illusion engineer Michael Weber and special effects artist Shane Mahan, who discussed some of the practical special effects magic he's created for films like Terminator 2 and Iron Man. The evening also included clips from The Escape Artist, The Illusionist, and some wonderful early cinema showcasing sleight of hand. The evening concluded with Ricky Jay performing Robert-Houdin's classic orange tree automaton illusion (from the collection of John Gaughan).

It's worth noting that Ricky Jay and Michael Weber are magic consultants on the Broadway Houdini musical starring Hugh Jackman, the fate of which is to be decided next month.

Speaking of Ricky Jay, the 2012 documentary, Deceptive Practices: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay, has recently been released on DVD and is a MUST watch. You can check out the trailer on YouTube.

Jackman's 'Houdini' might open first in Chicago

The Associated Press has an update on the Broadway Houdini musical starring Hugh Jackman. There's nothing all that new in the report -- which focuses on the work being done by composer Stephen Schwartz -- apart from the suggestion that the play might open in Chicago before heading to Broadway. Here's the article in full:

Associated Press
August 29, 2013

CHICAGO — Acclaimed Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz says he’s hard at work on a full draft of his next endeavor, the musical “Houdini” that has actor Hugh Jackman playing the legendary illusionist.

“I’m specifically writing for Hugh in terms of what I think will sound good in his voice and what sorts of things will really help him to do the things that he does,” Schwartz said in a recent interview with The Associated Press during the Dramatist Guild of America’s conference in Chicago. He is the group’s president.

The Academy Award- and Grammy Award-winner — famous for “Wicked,” ‘’Godspell” and “Pippin” — said a reading of the new full show is scheduled for December and he’s been “writing away on it” with a collaborator. So far, he said, they have a full first act of “Houdini.”

“As soon as we finished it, of course, we immediately said, ‘We have to rewrite this entire thing,’” Schwartz said. “But nevertheless we’re moving on to try to get a complete draft of the show.”

“Houdini” is scheduled to reach Broadway during the 2013-2014 season. Schwartz said he hopes the show will make an out-of-town debut in Chicago before it premieres on Broadway.

So far, the fun, he said, has been writing music and lyrics with Jackman in mind. Schwartz said he’s considering “Where does he want to stretch himself? Where does he want to do something that he feels he has and we feel he has that he hasn’t really shown before?”

In April, admirers of the composer packed Carnegie Hall in New York for a tribute marking both Schwartz’s 65th birthday and the 10th anniversary of “Wicked,” which is still a tough ticket. But that show’s success doesn’t amount to pressure, he said.

“It sort of makes you feel, ‘I have this big hit running, well if this doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz’s work on “Houdini” could serve to counteract what he calls a recent “artistic slump” in commercial musical theater with shows that he says are safe and formulaic.

“I’ve found the last couple of Broadway seasons pretty disappointing from the point of view of musicals,” Schwartz said. “Though from the point of view of plays it’s been pretty exciting.”

Besides “Houdini,” Schwartz has been focusing on his role as president of the dramatist guild, which represents more than 6,000 playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists. Besides Schwartz its board of directors includes Stephen Sondheim, Edward Albee, Terrence McNally and Tony Kushner.

Schwartz cited censorship at schools and theaters as one threat that is proving stifling and discouraging for playwrights. He said his own 1971 work, “Godspell,” has become more controversial recently.

“It’s very discouraging if you write something and then you can’t get it on unless it’s approved by the establishment that happens to be in power,” Schwartz said, adding that he would remind theater groups and producers, “Why they went into this business in the first place? Why did they want to be a theater?”

The guild hopes to prevent that discouragement, he said.

“The whole reason that all of us became writers is that we have things we want to say and issues we want to deal with and I believe very strongly in the right to self-expression,” Schwartz said.

The guild has the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund that can help writers with censorship, copyright and other issues, he said.

“Really that’s what theaters should be doing, is causing audiences and people to think about things and look at things in a different way,” Schwartz said. “Not flag-waving for whatever the prevailing point of view is at that point.”

Thanks to Adam Steinfeld.

Houdini musical now looking to 2014

After five years of development, it looked like 2013 was finally going to be the year of the big Houdini Broadway musical starring Hugh Jackman. But after Aaron Sorkin dropped out in January, all talk of a 2013 debut dried up. In fact, we've not heard a peep of news about the production since.

But now Playbill.com has a somewhat encouraging update. The site says it's now possible the play will open on Broadway in Fall 2014.

This information comes from recent interviews with Hugh Jackman, who is out promoting his latest Wolverine film. When asked about Houdini, the actor told Elvis Duran and The Morning Show, "We got a final workshop at the end of this year, if all goes well, next year we'll bring it to Broadway." (Video.)

Playbill says a representative for the production could not confirm immediate Broadway plans, but stated that a fall workshop will allow the creative team to determine the potential for a 2014 Broadway arrival.

Meanwhile, Aaron Sorkin, who dropped out of Houdini citing time constraints, has now magically found time to become involved in a different Broadway musical. Playbill says Sorkin's representatives have been working with Houdini producers to work out how much of his contributions will be incorporated into the future life of the production.

For me, that's just more evidence that Sorkin's work on Houdini was not up to scratch and this is the real reason for the musical going off track. But Sorkin is a media darling and I guess no one is allowed to say that. But I'll say it. I never understood his hiring in the first place.

Anyway, here's hoping Houdini and Jackman will make it to Broadway in 2014.

Aaron Sorkin drops out of Houdini

Uh-Oh. Deadline Hollywood reports that writer Aaron Sorkin has dropped out of the Houdini Broadway musical slated to star Hugh Jackman for the 2013-2014 season.

According the site, Sorkin dropped out because of scheduling conflicts with his HBO series The Newsroom and his duties writing a Steve Jobs biopic for Sony Pictures. The producers are looking to "continue developing the musical utilizing Sorkin’s initial concepts and other materials."

Frankly, I don't buy the scheduling excuse. It sounds to me like Sorkin's script didn't work and is going to get a rethink. While I'm a fan of his film work, I was always perplexed by the choice of Sorkin, who's never written a Broadway musical before. I also wasn't doing cartwheels at the description of a plot "told in a contemporary tone" (whatever that means) about "an epic battle that took place between the world's greatest illusionist and a trio of women, known as Spiritualists."

So while I'm not brokenhearted to see Sorkin go, I am very spooked that this could be a major setback for the musical. I was really hoping to see Houdini on Broadway before the end of the year. What happens now? Stay tuned.

UPDATE: New York Theater Guide has quotes from the principles involved:

Aaron Sorkin: "I was really looking forward to returning to Broadway and working with such an incredible team. I am very disappointed my schedule won't allow that at this time."

Producers Scott Sanders and David Rockwell: "Mr. Sorkin's considerable talents are an asset to any project and we regret that he's unable to remain with Houdini. However, what Hugh and the creative team continue to create is one of the most exciting projects we've ever been a part of. Our projected arrival on Broadway and additional creative team announcement will be made at a future date."

UPDATE 2: According to Vanity Fair, Sorkin has now somehow found time in his busy schedule to write a different Broadway musical.

Hugh Jackman gets star near Houdini on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hugh Jackman, who will play Houdini in an upcoming Broadway musical, has received a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Jackman's star is located in front of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, very near Houdini's own star at 7001 Hollywood Blvd.

Here are a few other Houdini-related Walk of Fame stars:

Tony Curtis, 6817 Hollywood Blvd.

Janet Leigh, 1777 Vine Street

Lila Lee, 1716 Vine Street

Nita Naldi, 6316 Hollywood Blvd.

Magic Castle co-founders Milt and Bill Larsen have a star across the street from Houdini...and now Mr. Jackman.

David Rockwell talks HOUDINI

ARTINFO's Patrick Pacheco and NY1 theater reporter Frank DiLella talk to Broadway architect and producer David Rockwell about his most recent set designs, including the upcoming Houdini with Hugh Jackman (the Houdini talk starts around 4:00).

Houdini Broadway musical update

Looks like the Houdini Broadway musical is still powering forward. Tony award winning director Jack O’Brien recently spoke to Broadway.com about the new musical score by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz.

"The two ballads Stephen has written, one that closes Act I and one that closes the show, are among the greatest things he's ever written," says O’Brien. "Hugh [Jackman] just kills with them. It's vintage Schwartz, it's gorgeous.”

According to O'Brien, the show's creative team are "working our butts off". A read-through of the first act is scheduled for January. Hugh Jackman will then take a break to film the police drama Prisoners, then reconvene on Houdini in March and April.

Meanwhile, the website Gothum has profiled Houdini producer and set designer, David Rockwell.

"It connected a few interesting dots for me," says Rockwell about the production. "As a child, I was interested in magic, and I know a lot of magicians. I didn’t see it as producing; I saw it as 'This is fun. Let’s all get together and put on a show.'"

Houdini is aiming to open on Broadway during the 2013-14 season.

David Rockwell working on a model for the Houdini set.

Jackman "very excited" about Houdini musical

At the 66th Annual Tony Awards, Hugh Jackman told NY1 that he's looking forward to the staged reading (or what Aaron Sorkin called "a stumble-through") of the first act of his Broadway-bound Houdini musical. Says Jackman:

"I'm very excited. Aaron Sorkin is writing the book, Stephen Schwartz doing the music, Jack O'Brien directing [and] David Rockwell [providing scenic design]... We have a very exciting group, [and] we're about to do a first act read-through in about a week."

Jackman is being honored with a special Tony for his "contributions to the Broadway community, both as a performer and humanitarian."

Aaron Sorkin updates progress on Houdini musical

Aaron Sorkin has provided an update on the Houdini Broadway musical he is writing for Hugh Jackman in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

"Work on Houdini has been underway for a while, with [composer] Stephen Schwartz and I meeting regularly — either in New York or L.A. — to map out the show we’re doing (also not a biography), move index cards around a board, listen to first drafts of songs and read first drafts of scenes. That work will get more intense as we head for a June 25 stumble-through with Hugh [Jackman]."

The Houdini musical was first announced in 2008. The project gained new life when Sorking came onboard in 2010. It's now aiming for the 2013-14 season.

Houdini Broadway musical announced for 2013-14 season

Deadline Hollywood has just posted the "breaking" news that Hugh Jackman has "sealed his return to Broadway for the 2013/2014 season in Houdini."

Houdini is written by Aaron Sorkin with music by Stephen Schwartz (wait, what happened to Danny Elfman?). Jack O’Brien has been set to direct the production, which will be presented by producer Scott Sanders and David Rockwell. Deadline reports that "it will bring an original and contemporary feel to the life and death of America’s first superstar."

"I have been deeply fascinated by the life of Harry Houdini since I was young, and in many ways I’ve been preparing for this role my whole life," says Jackman. "I am thrilled to be collaborating with this collection of artists who are all at the top of their game."

Sorkin describes the play as, "Rather than being a biography, Houdini, told in a contemporary tone, tells the story of an epic battle that took placer between the world’s greatest illusionist and a trio of women, known as 'Spiritualists', who convinced millions of people, including the editors of Scientific American and The New York Times, that they could communicate with the dead."

This is great news, but I admit that I'm a little disappointed to hear this is going to be yet another "Houdini vs. Spiritualism" drama and not the story of his life and magic. But I'll still be there opening night!

Jackman hints at 'Houdini'

Broadway.com reports that Hugh Jackman is in the final stages of prep for his solo concerts at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre, where he’s set to appear May 3-15. “I’ve been working on my one-man show in my head for about 15 years, but now it’s finally happening,” says Jackman.

When asked about the show coming to Broadway, Jackman said: “I’m also looking to come back and do a show show on Broadway, so probably that will be first.”

The website speculates that Jackman is talking about the long-in-the-works Houdini musical. At last report, the book was being written by Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin with music by Danny Elfman.

Not much to go on, I know, but at least it's something. I really want to see this happen. If Hollywood can't get it together and give us a proper big budget Houdini biopic (operative word being "biopic"), I'm happy to turn it over to Broadway. Just imagine the media attention and merchandising that will accompany this show. And if it's a hit, well, it could have the impact on a generation that the Tony Curtis movie had.

I'm just still trying to get my head around Aaron Sorkin as the writer.