The Musical

Adaptation Concept by Chantal Branscomb

 There are so many elements that exist in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare before Christmas
that would make it an excellent candidate for a Broadway staged musical. For starters, it is a tale
that is extremely well-known to most Americans; every Halloween and Christmas, homes across
the country are decorated with characters from the movie while the inhabitants of those homes
re-watch the film October through December. With the success of shows like Avenue Q and The
Big Friendly Giant, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a perfect contender for a puppet-theatre
extravaganza. It could potentially be the most ambitious musical with puppets that would ever hit
a Broadway stage. Much like The Lion King, each costume could be a puppet in itself (refer to
photo 1). The puppets could be heavily influenced by the style and design of the original clay
animation figures from the film, giving them that recognizable “Burton” effect.
In addition to the potential for puppetry, the music from the original score is absolutely
beautiful and unlike most music we expect to hear
in a musical (much less a Disney musical). Danny
Elfman captured a balance between spine-tingling
creepy ambiance and grand orchestral sounds. The
stage musical would not only incorporate the
existing songs from the movie but would feature
more music with the same integrity of the film,
using Elfman’s unusual instruments (accordion,
harp, chimes, etc…).
Photo 1
Besides some obvious reasons for my
choice (favorite movie, favorite director, favorite composer), I believe this story has a lot of
potential to be a cautionary tale about cultural appropriation. Jack Skellington’s pursuit of Santa
Clause’s holiday could be a symbol for the gentrification of foreign cultures while the Boogie
Man’s capture and torture of Santa Clause himself could symbolize colonialism and the stamping
out of native traditions by imperialists. In my version of the story, the mayor would elect the
Boogie Man as the new Pumpkin King after Jack steps down to be the new Santa Clause, in
order for the Boogie Man to kidnap Santa without repercussion. This would symbolize how the
greed of politicians and lobbyists can ruin the heritage of a foreign land (by stealing cultures and
resources). Like in the film, Sally would convince Jack to have a change of heart at the end and
open a dialogue about self-education on “holidays” that one is not born into. In addition, the
elves native to Christmas Town would also have a hand in rescuing Santa and Jack from the
Boogie Man.

Possible makeup and puppet looks

 The scenic design of the musical would mimic that of the film. Burton is known for using
wonky lines and exaggerated features in the aesthetic of his films (refer to photos 2-4).

Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4

Below is a link to a live performance of the song “Jack’s Lament” which speaks to how
the actor in a staged musical of the film might perform it successfully. (Note this video is not
from a full musical adaptation, only this song was staged).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L_wnBQ_18s

BELOW IS THE SCRIPT FOR THE OPENING SCENE OF THE MUSICAL

The Musical
Time: October 31st (year unclear)
Place: Halloween Town
Characters:
Jack Skellington- “The Pumpkin King”; skeleton; local celebrity of Halloween Town, famous
for scaring people worldwide every Halloween and leading the citizens of Halloweentown in
suit. Feels trapped and is anxious to discover more than what he already knows.

Sally- Ragdoll; created by Dr. Finkelstein to be his caretaker; yearns for autonomy, curious for
what the world has to offer; in love with Jack Skellington

The Oogie Boogie Man- Inventor of nightmares; composed of a sack of insects; loves to
gamble; strives to ruin Jack’s career and become the new pumpkin king; seeks to destroy all
other holidays to make it Halloween year-round

Santa Clause- Responsible for ensuring all of the children on the “nice list” receive presents on
Christmas; celebrity of Christmas Town; Jack’s inspiration

Dr Finkelstein- Inventor; used to be a man (put his brain in a robot when his human body
died); uses a wheelchair (actor should also be someone who uses a wheelchair); longs for
companionship by Sally and gets easily irate when she disobeys

Lock, Shock, and Barrel- “The Trick-or-Treaters”; Oogie Boogie’s henchmen, they complete
his tasks above ground while he resides in his lair; they work for food and validation; rebellious
children

Mayor- The mayor of Halloween Town; works closely with Jack to plan Halloween each year;
his emotions change what “face” he’s wearing

Zero- Jack’s ghost-dog; loyal to Jack; leads pack of skeleton-reindeer like Rudolph (no
dialogue- strictly puppet movement)

Ensemble- Various citizens of Halloween Town and Christmas Town (clowns, vampires,
mummies, monsters, elves, etc…); (combination of puppets and people)
 Act I, Scene 1
(Danny Elfman’s “This is Halloween” begins to play, the curtains open slowly after the first
measure and are completely open by the first lyrics of the song. The ensemble citizens of
Halloween Town plus Sally, Finkelstein, the Trick-or-Treaters, and the Mayor appear from the
shadows as their respective verses begin)
“This is Halloween”
[SHADOWS]
Boys and girls of every age
Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
Come with us and you will see
This, our town of Halloween

[PUMPKINS]
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night

[GHOSTS]
This is Halloween, everybody make a scene
Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright
It's our town, everybody scream
In this town of Halloween

[CREATURE UNDER THE BED]

I am the one hiding under your bed
Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red

[MAN UNDER THE STAIRS]

I am the one hiding under your stairs
Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair
[CORPSES]
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

[VAMPIRES]
In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song

[MAYOR]
In this town, don't we love it now?
Everybody's waiting for the next surprise

[CORPSES]
Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can
Something's waiting now to pounce, and how you'll...

[HARLEQUIN DEMON, WEREWOLF & MELTING MAN]

Scream! This is Halloween
Red 'n' black, slimy green

[WEREWOLF]
Aren't you scared?

[WITCHES]
Well, that's just fine
Say it once, say it twice
Take a chance and roll the dice
Ride with the moon in the dead of night

[HANGING TREE]
Everybody scream, everybody scream

[HANGED MEN]
In our town of Halloween!

[CLOWN]
I am the clown with the tear-away face
Here in a flash and gone without a trace

[SECOND GHOUL]
I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?"

[WIND]
I am the wind blowing through your hair

[OOGIE BOOGIE SHADOW]

I am the shadow on the moon at night
Filling your dreams to the brim with fright

[CORPSES]
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
Halloween! Halloween!

[CHILD CORPSE TRIO]

Tender lumplings everywhere
Life's no fun without a good scare

[PARENT CORPSES]
That's our job, but we're not mean
In our town of Halloween

[MAYOR]
In this town
Don't we love it now?
Everyone's waiting for the next surprise

[CORPSES]
Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back
And scream like a banshee
Make you jump out of your skin
This is Halloween, everybody scream

[HANGING TREE AND HANGED MEN]

Won't ya please make way for a very special guy?

[CORPSES]
Our man Jack is King of the Pumpkin patch
Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King now!

[EVERYONE]
This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

[CORPSE CHILD TRIO]

In this town we call home
Everyone hail to the pumpkin song

(Jack emerges on a thrown from beneath the stage, the orange lights from the trap door imply he
is returning from Hell)
[EVERYONE]
La, la, la, (Halloween! Halloween!)
La-la-la, la, la (Halloween! Halloween!)
La-la-la, la, la, (Halloween! Halloween!)
La-la-la, la-la-la, hey!
(End song)
(Jack steps off his throne and is joined by Zero and the Mayor as the other characters mill about.
Sally is eavesdropping nearby)
MAYOR
Can you believe it Jack? Another successful Halloween complete!
JACK
If you define success by repetition, then yes.
MAYOR
(face turning shocked)
What’s the matter, Jack?! Don’t tell me you’ve grown bored of your responsibilities! You’re the
Pumpkin King for mice sake! (a play on the phrase “for Christ’s sake”)
JACK
The scares don’t thrill me anymore! Where’s the challenge in all of this? Where’s the adventure?
I’ve been doing this job for 299 years and nothing has changed!
MAYOR
But Jack you have the most important job there is! I’m only an elected official, I can’t run this
holiday without you! No one could possibly fulfill your duties here!
JACK
That’s not true! There’s always the clowns, the vampires, the ghouls…. And what about that
Sally? I’m sure she would do a stand-up job at any task you gave her!
MAYOR
Well, we do have Oogie Boogie—
JACK
NO! Not that Oogie Boogie! Never Oogie Boogie! I don’t trust him as far as I can throw those
Trick-or-Treaters of his! I tell you this: the day you put the Boogie Man in charge is the day of
no return!
 MAYOR
Who are we even kidding, Jack?? We both know you’re the only skeleton for the job!
JACK
I know, I know…. Perhaps I just need to take a walk…clear my skull… (Jack exits)
SALLY
(comes out of hiding and approaches the Mayor)
Maybe it’s true! Maybe Jack has other talents that we haven’t seen before! If we could just let
hi—
MAYOR
(clearly not listening, still concerned over Jack’s words)
Not now, Sally, I’m very busy. Besides, I believe the Doctor was looking for you.
(Sally panickily exits in the same direction as Jack just as Dr. Finkelstein enters)
Dr. Finkelstein
Sally?! SALLY?!! I know you were here I can smell it! (pauses hoping Sally will respond)
AAAAARGHH! (smashes his entire pumpkin pie on the ground)
(lights quickly fade to blackout)