The Bacarach/Slater collaboration

[Steve Schenck]

I've been listening to several of the Burt/Steve Slater songs that folks have linked through this website, and so far I'm impressed. Somewhere, I read or heard an interview with Burt in which he named the show he and Slater were working on; not with a show title, but he named the original story he and Steve Slater were adapting to a musical. It was fairly well-known, I think, but I can't remember it now, nor can I remember where to find that particular interview. Does anyone on the board here remember what I'm referring to, or the story that Burt and Steve Slater are working on? I appreciate any input.

[scotsgreg]

Hi, Steve. It's my understanding that the project currently being developed by Bacharach and Sater is a musical adaptation of O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi,' although it's unclear to me whether or not any potential producers or backers are actually involved at this point. In the meantime, Sater is also adapting his award-winning Broadway collaboration with Duncan Sheik, 'Spring Awakening,' for the screen, as well as a film remake of the 1968 children's movie musical, 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,' featuring the original Sherman brothers songs.

[Steve Schenck]

Thanks, Scotsgreg! As soon as you mentioned it I remembered - "The Gift of the Magi," indeed. Not a story I would have thought the two of them would be drawn to, but that could be a sign of great things to come. And thanks for the correct spelling of "Sater" not "Slater!"