List of Upcoming Movie-turned-Musicals (UPDATED...Again)

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 8:25pm

I wanted to put together a list of all other movies turning musicals that are currently in their stages of development.

I went through Playbill and came up with a list of eighteen, and they're listed below in alphabetical order...if I'm missing any, be sure to add the info.

BILLY ELLIOT

Imperial Theatre

Previews Begin: Sep 17, 2008
Opening Night: Oct 16, 2008

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=475107


BULLETS OVER BROADWAY

Marvin Hamlisch told Variety July 17 that he and lyricist Craig Carnelia are continuing work on the stage musical version of the movie Bullets Over Broadway. At last report, Woody Allen was penning the libretto from the screenplay he wrote with Douglas McGrath.

At present, there is no timetable for the project or any scheduled debut production. No director is attached. The film was about an intellectual writer reluctantly bowing to commercial and producer pressure as he writes a play for Broadway.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/80729.html

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

The new Terrence McNally-Scott Wittman-Marc Shaiman musical Catch Me If You Can will have the same director and choreographer and Shaiman and Wittman's Hairspray: Jack O'Brien and Jerry Mitchell.

The show's future production path is still begin worked out and no official announcement has been made about Mitchell's involvement.

The recent reading featured Matthew Morrison at Frank Abagnale, Jr; Nathan Lane as Hanratty; Tom Wopat as Frank Abagnale, Sr; Christine Ebersole as Paula Abagnale; Celia Keenan-Bolger as Brenda and Sara Gettelfinger as Cheryl Ann. The ensemble included Chester Gregory, Shayna Steele, Luther Creek and Melinda Hull.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/95781.html

CRY-BABY

Marquis Theatre, (4/24/2008 - Present)

Previews Began: Mar 15, 2008
Total Previews: 45

Opening Night: Apr 24, 2008

Nominated for four TONY Awards.

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=476233


EVER AFTER

Director Doug Hughes (Doubt) has just signed on to helm the new musical Ever After, according to Variety.

The musical will feature a book by Sarah, Plain and Tall's Julia Jordan, choreography by Thoroughly Modern Millie's Rob Ashford and a score by Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler, the talented duo who penned The Girl Most Likely To and the cabaret classic "Taylor, the Latte Boy." A reading of Ever After is planned for February 2006 with a Broadway arrival expected in fall 2007.

Ever After will mark director Hughes' musical debut. He told Variety he chose the project because "the story does sing. It's like the musicals I loved as a kid when I had my head stuck in the stereo listening to Rodgers & Hammerstein shows."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/94291.html

THE FIRST WIVES CLUB

First Wives Club—The Musical, based on the best-selling novel and Hollywood blockbuster of the same name, is Broadway-bound.

The new musical will be produced by Paul Lambert and Jonas Neilson and will feature a score by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland, the threesome who created hits for Martha and The Vandellas, The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and The Supremes. The songwriters will compose original tunes for the musical, which will likely feature some of their hit tunes as well.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/93628.html

or

http://www.fwcthemusical.com

GET SHORTY

The songwriters for the upcoming Broadway musical The Wedding Singer — composer Matthew Sklar and lyricist Chad Beguelin — already have another theatre project on their plate.

The songwriting duo are currently penning the score to a musical based on the 1995 film “Get Shorty,” which featured a screenplay by Scott Frank based on the Elmore Leonard novel.

Lyricist Beguelin told Playbill.com, “We’re currently writing a musical version of Get Shorty, which is completely different from [The Wedding Singer]. It’s another movie where I went, ‘I love this movie. I adored the book.’ I went in to Clear Channel, which had a deal with MGM, and I said, ‘I want to do Get Shorty,’ and they thought I was crazy.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/97205.html

GRUMPY OLD MEN

Producer Jeff Gardner has secured the rights to the 1993 hit movie "Grumpy Old Men" and hopes to turn the property into a stage musical and bring it to Broadway in spring 2008, Variety reported.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/93937.html

HIGH FIDELITY

Imperial Theatre, (12/7/2006 - 12/17/2006)

Previews Began: Nov 20, 2006
Total Previews: 19

Opening Night: Dec 7, 2006
Closing Night: Dec 17, 2006
Total Performances: 13

Nominated for one TONY Award.

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=446878

LEAP OF FAITH

Taylor Hackford, the career filmmaker who recently had a success with the biopic "Ray," will stage Leap of Faith, a new musical based on a Steve Martin film. It will premiere on Broadway during the 2007-08 season.

The musical is penned by composer Alan Menken, librettist Janus Cercone (who wrote the original screenplay for the 1992 movie, which also starred Debra Winger) and lyricist Glenn Slater. The project has been in the work for a few years now. It will be produced by by Michael Manheim (who also produced the original picture), James D. Stern & Douglas L. Meyer and Steven Baruch, Richard Frankel, Marc Routh & Thomas Viertel.

No casting has been announced.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/98999.html

LEGALLY BLONDE

Palace Theatre, (4/29/2007 - Present)

Previews Began: Apr 3, 2007
Total Previews: 30

Opening: Apr 29, 2007

Nominated for seven TONY Awards.

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=423552


THE LORD OF THE RINGS

The Lord of the Rings, the musical version of J.R.R. Tolkien's acclaimed trilogy, will make its world premiere in Toronto.

Variety reports that Rings, originally announced for a West End bow, will open at the Princess of Wales Theater March 23, 2006. Previews are expected to begin Feb. 2. Matthew Warchus, who directed the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, will helm the production, which will feature a 65-member Canadian cast.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/91746.html

MOONSTRUCK

A year ago, word came that John Patrick Shanley (Where's My Money?, Cellini) was adapting his best-known work, the Oscar-winning filmscript for "Moonstruck," into a Broadway musical, with Henry Krieger (Side Show, Dreamgirls) composing the music and Susan Birkenhead (Triumph of Love) the lyrics. Ira Pittelman and Emanuel Azenberg, who shared producing chores on The Dinner Party and Stones in His Pockets, are producing Moonstruck, which looks at a middle aged, Italian-American woman who marries for security but ends up falling for her husband's brother.

Pittelman told Playbill On-Line Jan. 22 that the creative team is "feverishly working away on act two" and expect to get to the next step "within the next six months."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/67411.html

NINE TO FIVE

Based on the 1980 film that earned more than $103 million, 9 to 5: The Musical is headed for the Broadway stage. A fall tryout will open at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre beginning Sept. 3.

Dolly Parton, who made her film debut as sexy secretary Doralee Rhodes, composed the musical's score that will include the Oscar-nominated title track. Patricia Resnick, the film's screenwriter, will pen the book.

The film featured Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin under the tormentation of Dabney Coleman's Franklin Hart Jr. The musical, which will be set in the early 1980s, stars Allison Janney (The West Wing), Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty and Marc Kudisch as Hart. Joe Mantello (Wicked, Take me Out) directs.

http://www.9to5themusical.com/

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

It looks as though a musical version of "The Princess Bride," William Goldman's hit 1987 film, won't be arriving on Broadway anytime soon.

Goldman and Adam Guettel, the Tony-winning composer of The Light in the Piazza, had been collaborating on a Princess Bride musical for over a year. Guettel was penning the score with Goldman supplying the book. The New York Post reports that the two had a "falling out over ownership of the show," with Goldman reportedly demanding 75 percent of the authors' share of the musical.

Goldman confirmed to the Post that he and Guettel have parted ways.

A recent workshop of The Princess Bride had been held at Lincoln Center. One source told the New York daily, "Adam wrote some wonderful songs. Maybe he can use them in another show."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/105825.html

SHREK

Broadway Theatre

Previews Begin: Nov 8, 2008
Opening Night: Dec 14, 2008

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=477427


SISTER ACT

The world premiere of the musical Sister Act, based on the 1992 feature film, highlights the upcoming season at Pasadena Playhouse, which also includes new takes on Sherlock Holmes and As You Like It.

Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast) pens original music for the movie-turned-musical with lyrics by Glenn Slater (Newyorkers, That's Life). Cheri and Bill Steinkellner provide the book based on the screenplay by Joseph Howard. Peter Schneider will direct the work slated to start Oct. 24, 2006 for a run through Nov. 26.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/95744.html

SOAPDISH

Mark Hollmann, the composer and co-lyricist of Urinetown, and Robert Harling, the author of Steel Magnolias, are collaborating on a musical based on the film comedy "Soapdish," Variety reported.

The project was initiated in spring 2002, according to the trade daily. Contracts were recently signed.

TARZAN

Richard Rodgers Theatre, (5/10/2006 - 7/8/2007)

Previews Began: Mar 24, 2006
Total Previews: 35

Opening Night: May 10, 2006
Closing Night: Jul 8, 2007
Total Performances: 486

Nominated for one TONY Award.

http://www.ibdb.com/show.asp?ID=405839

THE WEDDING SINGER

Al Hirschfeld Theatre, (4/27/2006 - 12/31/2006)

Previews Began: Mar 30, 2006
Total Previews: 28

Opening Night: Apr 27, 2006
Closing Night: Dec 31, 2006
Total Performances: 285

Nominated for five TONY Awards.

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=402890

XANADU

Helen Hayes Theatre, (7/10/2007 - Present)

Previews Began: May 23, 2007
Total Previews: 49

Opening Night: Jul 10, 2007

Nominated for four TONY Awards.

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=457586

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Hilton Theatre, (11/8/2007 - Present)

Previews Began: Oct 11, 2007
Total Previews: 29

Opening Night: Nov 8, 2007

Nominated for three TONY Awards.

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=457590

Updated On: 5/28/08 at 08:25 PM

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 8:35pm

We can't imagine a less talented and more inappropriate composer than Henry Krieger for MOONSTRUCK. The producers would have been smarter sticking to the original premise and incorporating operatic arias into the piece rather than wasting their time with any junk Krieger churns out. What a hack!

Chang and Eng
Melange, Siam

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 8:35pm

TARZAN, too.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 8:37pm

Moonstruck is dead right now.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 8:38pm

Thanks for this...While I think I knew all of these, this will be a good resource for later when i need quick info.

Akiva

[ihearttheatre]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 9:54pm

Legally Blonde as a musical? I don't like the sound of that.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 10:05pm

I do.

And I'll be glad to see Laura Bell Bundy land a starring role on Broadway...I hope she's offered the role.

[Labashier]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 10:09pm

Shrek, score by Jeanine Tesori.

The Princess Bride, score by Adam Guettel and book by William Goldman.
Updated On: 1/3/06 at 10:09 PM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 10:11pm

SHREK was supposed to hit Broadway in 2006...but I haven't heard word about it in over a year.

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 10:11pm

I'm very excited about Catch Me If You Can. It's a great story, and it looks like they've assembled a fantastic team to bring it to the stage.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 10:58pm

If they keep that cast...ticket demand will be through the roof.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 11:04pm

what about lord of the rings?

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 11:05pm

Yea i hope SHREK and PRINCESS BRIDE come through

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 11:33pm

Thanks for reminding me. Updated!

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 11:33pm

"Catch Me If You Can" sounds exciting! Just the fact that Terrence McNally, Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman, and Jerry Mitchell are involved--wow!

Question--how often are the actors who do the readings actually cast in those roles?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 11:45pm

It varies really. I mean, they definitely have greater chances. I would love to finally see Matt Morrison in a starring role on Broadway.

I feel this show would really catapult his career.

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 12:51am

I agree with you FOAnatic! That whole cast would be PHENOMENAL!

[ByMySide25]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 1:02am

Out of all of these my favorites are: Catch Me if You Can, The First Wives Club, The Princess Bride, Sister Act, Legally Blonde, and Young Frankenstein.

Rachel Dratch as Paula is frickin' HILARIOUS.

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 1:51am

Lord of the Rings opens in Feb.

[StageWhore]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 1:54am

I'm not sure I want Princess Bride onstage (as if I have any say in that, anyway.) It's just too perfect as it is. But I suppose if they made it an entirely different beast, I'd be able to see it without comparing it too much.
ETA: Although it was a book, the movie far overshadows the book, so that's what it would be compared to.

Updated On: 1/4/06 at 01:54 AM

[resemblingartistry]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 2:07am

And of course, JRB finally returns with Honeymoon in Vegas

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 2:12am

Don't forget it was a book too. Sacred cows are still cows and can be carved as easily into filet mignon as they can be into hamburger.


You know, with a couple of hours of editing, there could be a good metaphor in that.

I would see five of those musicals. I'll leave it to ya'all to figure out which.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 3:21am

I thought David Yazbek was doing the score for Shrek. Was that just a rumour?

[EugLoven]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 4:02am

Some of these sound entertaining while some seem floppish.

I feel "Grumpy Old Men" and "Nine to Five" would be more fun as plays. But that'd feel too much like an easy script and staging, then, wouldn't it? Putting something to music just adds that extra "Oh they got creative" bit to it.

With the success of "The Producers" and the same creative team behind it, does "Young Frankenstein" sound like too much of a good thing?

Nevertheless, these all sound like they'd be fun in their own right, and comical! Are they thinking of puppets for "Shrek"?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 11:14am

Still haven't added TARZAN