From Paris to Broadway: Amelie to make stage debut
Oscar-nominated French film Amelie will be adapted for the stage according to musician Dan Messe of the band Hem. On his Facebook page, Messe announced that he will compose the music for a possibly-Broadway bound Amelie adaptation with help from Craig Lucas (book) and Nathan Tyson (co-lyricist). Based on the whimsical 2001 film, Amlie follows a quirky young woman as she searches for love in the City of Light. Audrey Tatou portrayed the title character in the film.
Richard Rogers Theatre gets $3.5 million renovation
One of Broadway’s grandest theatres, the Richard Rogers, is getting a multi-million dollar makeover according to Playbill. The theatre, formally called the 46th Street Theatre, has the distinction of having 10 Best Play or Best Musical Tony winners, the most of any Broadway house. The renovations include new murals and artwork, foundational restoration and 1,319 brand new seats. It will be complete in time for the new Broadway adaptation of Romeo & Juliet with Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad (last seen in the Tony-winning A Trip To Bountiful). Other notable productions at the Richard Rogers include the recent revivals of Porgy & Bess and Cat On A Hat Tin Roof and the original productions of Seussical, In The Heights, Chicago and Damn Yankees!.
Mean Girls gets lyricist
So fetch! The Broadway-bound adaptation of Mean Girls will have lyrics by Legally Blonde's Nell Benjamin. Tina Fey, who penned the 2004 comedy, will write the book with music by her husband Jeffrey Richmond, a composer who wrote all the music for her critically acclaimed show 30 Rock. There’s no information yet on when the stage adaptation of Mean Girls will make its debut. The film, which starred Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried, centered on a homeschooled teen who enrolls in high school and gets caught between the worlds of the superficial popular group and the kindly group of misfits.
Janis Joplin takes over Broadway
Tickets are now on sale for a new Broadway musical about Janis Joplin. A Night With Janis Joplin is a concert/musical hybrid conceived and directed by Randy Johnson. Starring Mary Bridget Davies, the musical has played across the country and will now make its Broadway debut on Oct. 10. Janis Joplin, an icon of ‘60s rock, is best known for her songs “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Piece of my Heart.” Joplin died of a drug overdose in 1970 at the age of 27.
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