Universal Studios Hollywood to Debut Live "Creature from the Black Lagoon"

On July 1^st, Universal Studios Hollywood aims to start competing with Disney's live theme park shows with the debut of, "Creature from the Black Lagoon: A Raging Rocking Show". There's already been backlash at the mere idea of this musical coming to fruition. You can find it on message boards all over theme park websites across the internet. Quite frankly, I couldn't disagree with the naysayers any more.

I'm a huge fan of classic monster movies, and in fact, the first article I ever wrote for Geek Monthly magazine was all about the passing of Ben Chapman, the man who played the original Creature of the Black Lagoon. The movie itself still holds up. Sure, there are some campy moments, and the sequels are fairly rotten. But the premise is solid and the subject matter is exciting. Then again, I have a huge soft spot not only for monsters, but also for jungle adventures. So I'm definitely biased.

From the information being released by Universal, the show promises to be quite the spectacular, on par even effects-wise with Disney World's, "Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular". I haven't looked forward to a show this much since I first heard about, "Fantasmic".

The following excerpt is from a recent Universal Studios press release publicized on ShockTillYouDrop.com, "With state-of-the-art stagecraft, acrobatic choreography and hilarious, toe-tapping music, the Creature will be brought to life in a story based on the original screenplay, updated to emphasize the element of romance and just a bit of comic relief. Original new music and dazzling production numbers will keep the attraction contemporary and lively.

Audiences will be immersed in the ominous environment of the deepest Amazon, enveloped by the exotic sounds and scents of the jungle. And from the production's first moments, they'll be thrust into an unexpectedly outrageous, strangely romantic, frequently melodic and often hilarious adventure as a monster classic is re-imagined for the 21st Century.

"Creature from the Black Lagoon - The Musical" will be staged as an attraction within the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. Admission will be included in the price of theme park tickets and annual passes."

But no matter what you think of the plot, this new show may be nothing to scoff at. No matter what the reputation of the concept of the show, there are proven professionals behind the scenes. According to the Los Angeles Times website, here's a list of the people involved. "Creature" combines the talents of "Footloose" choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett, "Lion King" puppeteer Michael Curry and "Wicked" aerial stunt designer Paul Rubin. Producer Marc Routh's credits include Broadway's "Hairspray," "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Young Frankenstein."

So what do you think? Will you go see this show? I know for a fact that the next time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll definitely see it.