Movie of the musical, anyone?

You know, funny you should say that, I'm "somewhat of an amateur film writer/director/producer/actor/cinematographer/composer", and I purchased and listened to the songs "Wheels of a Dream" and "Make Them Hear You" and I was stunned and hooked on it. I completed the album on iTunes in less than 2 months, and I do agree with you, it would make The director and cinematographer side of me can see every shot and direction as I listen to a song, and for every single song in the album I purchased (which was the original cast recording), I had that perfect vision. But I do agree with one post, and that's that the script of the stage show would require major modifications to differentiate it from the stage show, which, of course, had somewhat of a flawed script at times, but I have been conducting my own film study with writing, directing, producing, and acting, and all I need to do is write the script and...somehow produce it. Any desires to engage in the project or encourage me to do so, merely contact me via a reply.

I can only come up with one casting idea: Evelyn Nesbitt - Jane Krakowski.

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You would have to get AMAZING singers for Mother and Sarah (I like Jennifer Hudson, although her voice might be too strong for Sarah's timid personality. And Marin Mazzie's voice is excellent, but her acting is lacking.) Otherwise, I think it would be cool to have unknowns play some of the roles, so that way star power wouldn't detract from the power of the music and message. However, you'd absolutely have to keep Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald. Mitchell is only in his 60s. With makeup and dye, they can make him 20.

I'd actually keep the third-person dialogue that the characters give about themselves, but only at the beginning and ends of the play. I think it adds to the flavor. But you'd have to cut some of the songs that stop the flow of the plot ("Crime of the Century", "Henry Ford", the first part of "Atlantic City", and, though it pains me to do so, "What a Game.") because what works onstage doesn't always work onscreen. Lastly, I'd like to add some of the more racy flavor from the book back into a movie of the film (like Younger Brother's relationship with Nesbit, or a more graphic portrayal of Sarah's death.)

Okay, UPDATE: Whoever is in doubt as to whether Brian Stokes Mitchell can still pull off Coalhouse, watch this amazing video from 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJFx7ApMkc&feature=related.

I would have loved to have seen a live version of the Broadway productions "Ragtime" on PBS. I don't know if this was ever considered; I think that the original production and the recent revival closed early (and perhaps a bit unexpectedly, the first due to Livent and Mr. Drabinsky's legal problems) so it would have been challenging to schedule. There was however a documentary film shown on PBS during the time of the original "Ragtime" production with lots of rehearsal clips; not sure if it is still available.

I've imagined Steven Spielberg directing such a project as this, or at least have his name attached on one of the producer areas.

As for the cast, here's my ideal cast:

Coalhouse - Brandon Victor Dixon

Mother - Amy Adams

Tateh - Hugh Jackman

Sarah - Janelle Monae

Father - Jeremy Renner

Younger Brother - Jake Gyllenhaal

Evelyn Nesbitt - Anna Kendrick

Harry Houdini - Chris Pine

Booker T. Washington - Brian Stokes Mitchell

Grandfather - Bob Gunton

J.P. Morgan - John Goodman

Henry Ford - Christian Borle

Emma Goldman - Kate Winslet

Sarah's Friend - Anika Noni Rose

Willie Conklin - Brian d'Arcy James

Little Boy - Jacob Tremblay