Not. Even. Kidding.
The 1993 film 'Jurassic Park' has been reworked into a musical production that is taking to the stage at the Brisbane Arts Theatre. Imaginations are running wild at the possibilities of this show, directed by Thomas Gregg and Taylah Karpowicz. It has already done so well at the box office, that the theatre are hinting at a return season next year.
There are more questions than answers about the show, so we reached out to Thomas Gregg to clear up a few things.
So who thought this was going to be a good idea?
We became aware of the show about a year ago, and an opportunity presented itself in Brisbane Arts Theatre’s schedule to stage a limited season of 'Jurassic Park: The Musical'. When we began rehearsals for the show, we’d already assembled a cast for a different show. We recast the show with the existing ensemble and took creative license in our decision around some of the ages and genders of characters. The show is a parody of the first movie and features the familiar characters and classic dialogue, interweaved with singing and dancing. The characters each have their own flaws that we play up, be it Dr Malcolm’s “Chaos Theory”, Tim’s fascination with dinosaurs and love of Dr Grant, or Lex’s expert computer “hacking” skills.
Are you worried that audiences might get scared for all the wrong reasons?
No not at all. The show is incredibly funny and will engage the audience from the opening number. We make use of the entire theatre in staging the show, so you never know where a dinosaur might appear from. The scary scenes are infused with comedy to lighten the mood – who wouldn’t laugh at a giant T-Rex eating the slimy lawyer off the toilet!
Is there any suitable song to be sung when trapped inside a car that’s being through around by a T-Rex?
As any T-Rex enthusiast will remember from the movie, the T-Rex’s vision is based on movement. With that in mind, we’ve choreographed a Bob Fosse inspired routine to the educational and informative song, 'Its Vision is Based on Movement'. Our T-Rex is the star of the show, but with her little T-Rex hands gets into a spot of difficulty when Dr Grant and the kids try to escape.
Can the raptors open doors?
In the movie, 'Mean Girls', on Wednesdays they wear pink. So too do our velociraptor girls. During the show, these deadly ladies evolve and learn how to open doors. Which doors? We can’t say, but be prepared for the ambush during the number, 'Raptors in the Kitchen'.
Could you please describe to us the song writing process for this show?
The original score for the show is written for a 25 piece orchestra. We knew that we were never going to fit an ensemble of this size on the Arts Theatre stage, so our Musical Director, Faron Swingler has transposed the score for a band more suited to the space. In doing so, we’ve also taken the opportunity to reinterpret the musical styles to align them with what we see as the musical traits on each character; whether it’s Muldoon’s Bon Jovi Style Rock Ballad, the 'Yo Gabba Gabba' inspired 'Learning with Mr DNA' or Nedry’s 'Oompa' themed ode to food.
How are you going to retain the fast-paced action feel of the film while adding musical numbers?
There are a number of “multi-scenes” throughout the show where the action takes place concurrently, at different places throughout the park. We use different spaces on and off the stage including entry and exit points, so the audience never knows where a dinosaur or Jeep is going to appear from. In some of the numbers, the music is fast-paced and combines narrative with humour.
Will anyone be crooning in the style of Jeff Golblum?
Everyone remembers the sex symbol image portrayed by Jeff Golblum’s Dr Malcolm, as he lay injured in the control room with his shirt unbuttoned and chest hair glistening in the low light. This image hasn’t been lost on us, and we’ve managed to incorporate this in the show, along with a rather chaotic number celebrating 'Chaos Theory'.
With a shoe-string budget, what extravagant things were planned but had to be cut from the production?
Modes of transport – namely helicopters and jeeps – were always going to be difficult to fit onstage. We haven’t let this get in our way though and have worked with our set designers to come up with creative ways in which to produce similar effects, without being restricted by budget. Where we haven’t been able to afford extravagance, we’ve gone with the opposite and simplified.
Should George Lucas be worried too?
Not at the moment, but the Colonel Mustard Amateur Attic Theatre Company who wrote the show are constantly working on their own versions of epic films and musicals, including 'Spiderman the Musical' and 'Robyn Hood and Her Merry Men and Women'. Who knows, we may well see a tribute to the 'Star Wars' franchise in the future.
Are your lives now complete?
Everyone involved in the show – from cast to crew to creatives – has contributed towards what is going to be a thoroughly entertaining show that audiences will enjoy. Only then will our lives be complete!
'Jurassic Park: The Musical' plays at Brisbane Arts Theatre 21 September-1 October.
