Rocky will take to the ring on a whole new level as the Oscar winning boxing film is set to be turned into a musical set for Broadway.
New York Times reports that the news of a Rocky musical was first announced Sunday noting that performances are set to begin next February at the Winter Garden Theater.
Bill Taylor of Stage Entertainment USA , who is also producing the Broadway version, informs that the cost of the production will be around $15 million. Rocky star and writer Sylvester Stallone will help in both producing and writing the script for the Broadway version.
“Because we’ve done the show in Hamburg, we’re not doing an out-of-town run in the U.S., and the creation and design of ‘Rocky’ are already done,” Taylor explains. “I’m confident we’ll come in under $15 million.”
According to the official website, Stephen Flaherty will compose and Lynn Ahrens will write the lyrics. Kelly Devine and Steven Hoggett will create the choreography, with Alex Timbers set to direct.
“I couldn’t be more proud or more excited about this production and how my original story of Rocky Balboa has been brought to spectacular life onstage,” Stallone gushed according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“The story of Rocky was very much like my life at the time – starting out with nothing, having to fight for roles and recognition," continued Stallone. "So I put those feelings into the body of a boxer and I had no idea there were so many millions of people that felt the same way. Alex Timbers and the entire creative team have not only honored that original impulse, but have made his story as exciting, heart-breaking, and inspiring as it was when Rocky first went the distance onscreen."
image credit: Rocky Broadway Official Website