Here’s a proposition for you: Raise your hand if you’d like to see a television adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling “Twilight” vampire book series. Who wouldn’t mind tuning in every week to watch the 21st century version of the Shakespearean tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet?” Would you be willing to indulge yourself in the treasured lives of Manhattan’s elite from the Cecily von Ziegesar young adult series, “Gossip Girl?” Oh wait, that’s already been done.
Adaptations of any kind — whether it be from a book to television series, or a play to a movie — rarely ever work. They’re just not the same as the work in its original, untouched form.
After a weekend spent wasting away precious hours with numerous useless YouTube videos and reading up on things I really shouldn’t be spending more than a second on, I came to a realization: I’ve got the bug. Not just any bug, mind you, but the “let’s sing out loud like we just don’t care” type. So you can imagine the disappointment I felt when I came across something written about the CW’s “90210.” The article discussed the show’s desperate need to reach out to the pre-teen masses by adding “Spring Awakening,” one of the best musicals performed over the last two years, for the show’s script.
After attending a performance of the actual musical, the first I’ve seen in a while (sadly, my last one was “Mamma Mia!” at the Orpheum in San Francisco), I did some research. What I found out was both eye opening and inspiring. (I even purchased the original Broadway cast recording later that night.)
Set in late 19th century Germany, “Spring Awakening” explores the awkward years when young teenagers are slowly becoming young adults, but in a time when adults have a say in everything children do. Of course, being a curious 15-year-old means sexual curiosity.
You would think that with the sort of premise that is the musical, it would be highly serious, morbid and too heavy to handle for younger audiences. But instead, it infuses modern rock music into its journey of youth exploration, examining the common hardships of a teenager — a topic that transcends both time and place.
“90210,” however, takes a — shall we say, interesting — approach to its inclusion of the play, capitalizing on the “High School Musical 3”-crazed 13-year-old girls who undoubtedly would tune into a show that celebrated the high school heyday. While the show does a decent job of adding “Spring Awakening” to its plot, the play loses the integrity of the original production. “90210’s” school production of “Spring Awakening” is far too happy for a story about teenage angst, misunderstandings and sexual bewilderment.
On the flip side, the musical garnered more publicity for its production than anyone thought possible — but at a cost. The integrity was sacrificed for modernity.
“Gossip Girl’s” book-to-screen adaptation last year did a slightly better job. While it took a while to embrace living and breathing actors portraying the books’ characters, the show somehow found a way to forge a path in the television sector. That’s not to say that there is nothing wrong with the Leighton Meester/Blake Lively-led collective. There is a laundry list of things that have been unsuccessfully altered.
For one thing, the character played by the easy breezy Blake Lively, Serena van der Woodsen, is supposed to be an incredibly jaded rich bitch. But Lively is quite the opposite. Her infectious smile and the suggestion that there is some substance behind her pearly whites and long blonde mane nearly defeats the purpose of her character.
Serena’s slogan should be: I’m wealthy and beautiful, and I don’t care if I have to step over you to get to Point B. Instead, it’s more like: I care about my friends and family, and I’m so sorry if I meant any harm; I really didn’t mean to. Her character sounds slightly less interesting.
In a time when Hollywood is lacking in creative juice and borrowing/stealing/adapting from popular texts, just make sure to keep this in mind: If you’re thinking about doing the same for your next project, don’t screw up or you’ll be hearing it for the rest of your life.
Philiana Ng is a senior majoring in communication. Her column, “Inside the Tube,” runs Tuesdays.
Books and television can’t seem to adapt
Published: Monday, November 24, 2008
Updated: Tuesday, November 25, 2008
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