Chu developing CRAZY RICH ASIANS musical

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:06am

 

Break out the dumplings and mahjong sets because “Crazy Rich Asians” is coming to Broadway.

The beloved romantic comedy is being developed as a Broadway musical by director Jon M. Chu, who helmed the 2018 film of the same name. “Crazy Rich Asians” will mark the Broadway debut of Chu, who has become Hollywood’s go-to filmmaker to bring stage shows to the big screen. He’s currently working on Universal’s two-part “Wicked” adaptation and previously directed the cinematic version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.”

A press release describes “Crazy Rich Asians” as “a fun, engaging and hilarious look at what can happen when young love collides with old money.” Like the movie, the musical is based on Kevin Kwan’s book about a Chinese American professor named Rachel, who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick and finds out that his family is crazy rich.

The 2019 film, starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding and Michelle Yeoh, topped the box office for three weeks and eventually grossed $239 million globally. A sequel, based on the follow-up novel “China Rich Girlfriend,” has been in development for five years.
 

The musical adaptation will feature a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, music by Helen Park and lyrics by Amanda Green and Tat Tong. 

“Crazy Rich Asians” is one of several blockbusters — including “La La Land” and “The Devil Wears Prada” — that’s turning into a live musical. Stage versions of the 1985 sci-fi comedy “Back to the Future,” 2004’s romance drama “The Notebook” and 2011’s circus-inspired “Water for Elephants” are currently playing on Broadway.

 

Updated On: 4/17/24 at 09:06 AM

[BwayLB]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:27am

I can’t believe this is happening. I discovered the movie during lockdown. Good movie but the Asian jokes went over my head

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:28am

Any casting ideas?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:30am

Before anyone says they hope Michelle Yeoh is in this, I believe she’s been very clear she has no desire to ever do stage work. 

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:31am

Wonder if Chu is pivoting to this because the sequel isn't moving forward. 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:32am

Always makes me laugh when surefire hit trilogies are bumbled. This could have been one of them. 
 

I could see this working as a musical, but suffers from the “didn’t the movie just come out” recency bias in my eyes. 

[sng]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:33am

Ruthie Ann Miles please

[Kad]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:36am

It would make a good musical, I think, but that writing team gives me pause aside from Helen Park. 

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:36am

Spoilers for those that haven’t seen the film. I really wished the film ended on a down beat note, just after the Mahjong game, with her winning and it ending with that stunning speech about how every time she looks at him, she’ll know he’s sad. The film worked brilliantly for me up till the tacky happy ending on the aircraft. Of course that’s not how Hollywood works. 

[BwayLB]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:38am

broadwayboy223 said: "Wonder if Chu is pivoting to this because the sequel isn't moving forward."

Or with his film adaptation of Joseph being shelved

[Owen22]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 9:59am

Ashley Park just secured her next job.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 10:03am

Curious if Constance Wu would do this. 

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 10:16am

Get Phillipa Soo for Astrid 

[BwayLB]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 10:23am

rosscoe(au) said: "Spoilers for those that haven’t seen the film. I really wished the film ended on a down beat note, just after the Mahjong game, with her winning and it ending with that stunning speech about how every time she looks at him, she’ll know he’s sad. The film worked brilliantly for me up till the tacky happy ending on the aircraft. Of course that’s not how Hollywood works."

 

With how creatively corrupt cinema has become since the pandemic, I’ve become less of a sucker for happy endings than I was before.

 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 10:47am

Globefan said: "Get Phillipa Soo for Astrid"

I am in favor of this. Yes. Completely. 

[Ke3]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 12:59pm

rosscoe(au) said: "Spoilers for those that haven’t seen the film. I really wished the film ended on a down beat note, just after the Mahjong game, with her winning and it ending with that stunning speech about how every time she looks at him, she’ll know he’s sad. The film worked brilliantly for me up till the tacky happy ending on the aircraft. Of course that’s not how Hollywood works."

I remember rolling my eyes at the ending change but knowing they did it just incase a sequel never came. Since a sequel is never happening it seems like a smarter idea every day.

I will say the books are sharper than the movie and I hope the tone skews closer. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 1:22pm

I can't think of anyone else aside from Ashley Park for Rachel. But if she doesn't want do it, then hopefully a newcomer! 

[magicfingers]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 1:50pm

Also keep in mind they’re def at the beginning writing stage. You’re looking at a 7-10 year development process until we see this in NYC (the earliest). Any actor you’re mentioning is going to be a decade older when it comes in.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 2:55pm

7-10 years for an original musical? Sure. 7-10 years for a film adaptation with some notable talent behind it? No. 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 5:18pm

I wonder how "authentic" they'd go in casting.  I doubt they'd fully go the Here Lies Love route where the entire cast is of a certain descent, but I'm curious if they would try to find Singaporean/Chinese actors specifically for the lead roles.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 5:21pm

chrishuyen said: "I wonder how "authentic" they'd go in casting. I doubt they'd fully go the Here Lies Love route where the entire cast is of a certain descent, but I'm curious if they would try to find Singaporean/Chinese actors specifically for the lead roles."

I hope they do!! 

[Fan123]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 5:21pm

While this may not reflect his current plans, this is what Chu had to say about a potential musical adaptation back in 2018:

"Maybe we combine a Chinese singer with an Asian-American composer to put it together,” he said. “We have a big band - the band is on the stage itself so you can experience it like you’re at a party. We would have the best fashion. Jason Wu comes in and designs everything. You make an experience for the audience. It would be ridiculous."

(https://variety.com/2018/film/news/jon-m-chu-on-directing-crazy-rich-asians-sequel-we-still-have-to-close-my-deal-1202954136/)

[magicfingers]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 6:26pm

It’s being developed as a stage musical. You can’t rush a stage musical regardless of the talent behind it or the money. At least 3 readings, 2 workshops and at least one out of town = a glacial pace. 
 

a good example of a rushed musical is Devil Wears Prada- there’s just no way to rush the process.

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/17/24 at 8:45pm

We don't know how long they've been working on it. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/9/24 at 10:45am

Conrad Ricamora just hinted at this on his instagram story.