Broadway Shows Rumored & In Development

Premise
The musical, which first appeared on Broadway on May 8 1962, tells the story of the crafty slave Pseudolus, as he attempts to break free from Senex and his wife Domina, while trying to win the hand of courtesan Philia for his master’s son, in order to negotiate his release.

Likelihood
The initial 2015 Broadway revival of the play has been delayed, according to a spokesman for the production, and producers have already released the theater for another show. Tony award winner James Corden was supposed to be starring in the 2015 Broadway revival, but the producers are still waiting to cast the production, after James Corden was announced as the new host for The Late Show in 2015.

Creative Associated with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Directed by Alex Timbers
Produced by Roy Furman Jill Furman and Emanuel Azenberg
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Last Update: September 8, 2014

Premise
The upcoming Broadway musical is based on George Takei’s childhood experience in a Japanese internment camp in the U.S. during World War II. It follows the story of the Kimura family, and the injustice they suffered by being perceived as enemies of the state during that period of time.

Likelihood
Although an arrival on Broadway was planned for the spring of 2014, a possible opening could be set for the season of 2015, producers are say they are simply waiting for their turn to open on the Great White Way. Following the play’s premiere, which took place in the fall of 2012 at the Old Globe Theather in San Diego, the producers say they are currently discussing the possibility with Broadway theater owners of bringing the show to New York.

Creative Associated with Allegiance
Direction by Stafford Arima
Produced by Lorenzo Thione
Choreography by Andrew Palermo
Orchestrations by Lynne Shankel
Last Update: March 19, 2013

Premise
Following the life of the extravagant pianist, Valentino Liberace, All That Glitters is viewed as “an unauthorized biography of a ground breaking legend”, who died in 1987 at the age of 67.

Likelihood
The Broadway debut for All That Glitters is said to open in 2015, after a world premiere was supposed to take place in Toronto this fall. Casting will include Richard Kline, who will play Liberace, and two other men to portray him as a child prodigy and the famous pianist rising to fame.

Creative Associated with All That Glitters
Directed by Alexander DeJong
Book by Alexander DeJong and James A. Walsh
Music and lyrics by Alexander DeJong and Tom Nelson
Choreography by Alexander DeJong
Costumes by Bob Mackie
Last Update: October 21, 2013

Premise
Always…Patsy Cline is a musical tribute to the legendary country singer who was killed in a plane crash at the early age of 30. The play follows the story of the friendship between Patsy and her most devoted fan, Louise Seger, which continues until the singer dies, in 1963.

Likelihood
Although it was supposed to have an opening last fall, the revival of the musical play will have to wait a bit longer until it reaches Broadway. Representatives for the production blame the lack of an appropriate theater for the show’s delay. It was initially announced for the summer of 2013 and was supposed to be starring American Idol’s Crystal Bowersox, but there are no current details on the project at this moment.

Creative Associated with Always…Patsy Cline
Directed by John Rando
Produced by Jimmy Burke and Jeff Cohen
Last Update: June 20, 2013

Premise
Adapted from the 2001 box office hit starring Audrey Tatou, Amelie portrays the journey of a young French waitress who decides to devote her life to do good deeds for the people around her, while learning how to overcome her emotional isolation.

Likelihood
It seems that the musical project is at work and that a final Broadway opening will eventually take place. According to the composer, Dan Messe, he is currently working on the project along with playwright Craig Lucas and lyricist Nathan Tyson. There is no extra information regarding the timeline or a possible workshop, confirmed at the moment.

Creative Associated with Amelie
Direction by Pam MacKinnon
Book by Craig Lucas
Music and lyrics by Dan Messe and Nathan Tyson
Last Update: August 23, 2013

Premise
Adapted from the book The Last Testament: A Memoir of God, ex-Daily Show lead scribe David Javerbaum tweaks his work for the stage. It will be a play unlike fellow religious mockers — The Book of Mormon. The Washington Post described Javerbaum’s book as, “like The Bible, if The Bible were narrated by Mel Brooks on crack-laced manna.”

Likelihood
Firm details on the production are dicey at this point. There is no creative or cast associated with the project. There is no theatre for them to hang their hat at. Jeffrey Finn is a man who knows how to get plays to the finish line, championing Dead Accounts, Seminar and Scandalous in recent years.

Creative Associated with An Act of God
Produced by Jeffrey Finn
Book by David Javerbaum

Last Update: April 22, 2014

Premise
Adapted from the 1951 Oscar winning film of the same name An American in Paris portrays the life of World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan who wants to make a name for himself as a painter in Paris, but falls in love with Lise, a young French girl, that is already engaged to another.

Likelihood
Previews for the Broadway musical play have already been announced to take place at Palace Theater in March 2015, while the opening date has been set to April 12. The world premiere for the play will take place in December 2014 at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and will include Robert Fairchild as Jerry Mulligan and Leanne Cope as Lise Dassin.

Creative Associated with An American in Paris
Directed by Christopher Wheeldon
Book by Craig Lucas
Music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin
Sets and costumes by Bob Crowley
Last Update: June 30, 2014

Premise
Adapated from the 1992 movie of the same name, The Bodyguard tells the story of Frank Farmer, a former Secret Service agent, who is hired to protect singer superstar Rachel Marron from a deadly stalker.

Likelihood
Although the production was targeted for the spring of 2014, no official dates or cast have been announced. The Bodyguard musical was a hit in London’s West End when it played on June 11 this year, starring Alexandra Burke in the leading role of singer Rachel Marron. Producers spoke about the possibility of bringing The Bodyguard to Broadway as their ultimate goal so New York audiences will definitely have the chance to see the play very soon.

Creative Associated with The Bodyguard
Directed by Thea Sharrock
Produced by David Ian and Michael Harrison
Book by Alex Dinelaris
Music by Whitney Houston
Last Update: December 7, 2012

Premise
Modeled after one of the greatest baseball movies ever made, Bull Durham recruits the original screenwriter to adapt the production for the stage. Bull Durham is a romantic comedy about the minor league baseball team the Durham Bulls. An aging star in the twilight of his career takes under his wing a promising young rookie to teach him the fine art of baseball and women.

Likelihood
Bull Durham sits in the on deck circle with a pre-Broadway run at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in September. Expect some fine tuning afterward, but the producers are shopping for theatres on the Great White Way for spring 2015.

Creative Associated with Bull Durham
Book by Ron Shelton
Music and Lyrics by Susan Werner
Choreography by Joshua Bergasse
Costumes by Toni Leslie James
Scenic Design by Derek McLane

Last Update: July 2, 2014

Premise
Cole Porter’s classic musical Can-Can is a story about Pistache, a Parisian cafe owner who dares to feature the scandalous dance and faces the consequences of her action in her business and her love life as well.

Likelihood
Paper Mill Playhouse will kick off the Broadway bound production of Can-Can from October 1 through October 26, 2014. The new production features a book by David Lee and Joel Fields and will be starring Tony nominee Kate Baldwin and Jason Danieley as Aristide. The musical’s Broadway revival was first announced for the spring of 2014, following the reading from 2013.

Creative Associated with Can-Can
Direction by David Lee
Book by Abe Burrows
Revised book by David Lee and Joel Fields
Music and lyrics by Cole Porter
Choreography by Patti Colombo
Last Update: September 27, 2014

Premise
Adapted for the stage from the novel and movie of the same name, Devil in a Blue Dress follows the story of a man in 1948 Los Angeles who decides to work as a private detective, after losing his aerospace manufacturing job.

Likelihood
According to the book’s author, Walter Mosley, the production should begin within the next year. He has also revealed his partnership with musician Branford Marsalis to bring it to the stage. No additional information has been confirmed so far regarding cast members or a general timeline.

Creative Associated with Devil in a Blue Dress
Book by Walter Mosley
Music by Branford Marsalis
Last Update: August 3, 2014

Premise
Adapted for the stage from the movie of the same name starring Drew Barrymore, Ever After follows the life adventures of a young Frech girl from the 16th century, daughter of a Nobleman, who learns to stand up to her stepmother, befriends Leondardo Da Vinci and eventually wins the heart of a French prince.

Likelihood
The musical was first announced to have its world premiere at the Curran Theater in San Francisco in 2009 before appearing on Broadway, but the event was eventually postponed. A New York workshop was attended in April 2013 while the play’s world premiere is set to take place in May 2015 at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Creative Associated with Ever After
Direction by Kathleen Marshall
Book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler
Music by Zina Goldrich
Choreography by Kathleen Marshall
Last Update: May 15, 2012

Premise
Inspired by Sholom Aleichem’s short story “Tevye and His Daughters”, the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of a jewish milkman who has to choose between the happiness of his three daughters and striving to maintain his traditional ways.

Likelihood
The iconic musical, winner of 9 Tony awards at its debut in 1964, has plans of returning to Broadway for the fall of 2015. The musical was last seen on Broadway in 2004, starring Alfred Molina and Randy Graff. Danny Burstein is rumored for the role of Tevye for the upcoming production.

Creative Associated with Fiddler on the Roof
Directed by Bartlett Sher
Produced by Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel
Book by Joseph Stein
Music and lyrics by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick
Choreography by Jerome Robbins
Last Update: March 6, 2014

Premise
Adapted for the stage from the film of the same name. Released in 2004, Finding Neverland is about J.M. Barrie. It chronicles his relationship with a family which sparked the creative trigger for him to script the timeless tale of Peter Pan. The film starred Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet and scored a slew of Academy Award nominations including Best Picture.

Likelihood
All that’s missing is an empty theatre on Broadway at this point. The play is currently doing a Pre-Broadway run at Cambridge’s American Repertory Theater. It is slated to open on Broadway in March at one of the Neaderlander Theatres. The St. James Theater has been rumored, but nothing has been confirmed.

Finding Neverland originally debuted on the stage in Leicester, England in 2012 to less than positive reviews. Producer Harvey Weinstein scrapped the songs and script and brought on director Diane Paulus of Pippin fame to right the ship. A number from the musical was performed by Jennifer Hudson at the 2014 Tonys (Source: New York Times).

Creative Associated with Finding Neverland
Produced by Harvey Weinstein
Directed by Diane Paulus
Choreography by Mia Michaels
Songs by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy
Book by James Graham

Last Update: August 14, 2014

Premise
Seinfeld co-creator Larry David describes his new Broadway play, Fish in the Dark, as a comedy with around 15 characters inspired by the death of a friend’s father.

Likelihood
Larry David has confirmed that he will be starring in the Broadway debut of his musical with previews opening February 2 at the Cort Theater, prior to an opening date scheduled for March 5, 2015 at a Shubert theatre.

Creative Associated with Fish in the Dark
Direction by Anna D. Shapiro
Written by Larry David
Last Update: September 2, 2014

Premise
On Your Feet is a Gloria and Emilio Estefan musical and is based on the life and career of the Latino singer and the relationship with her husband, Miami Sound Machine musician, Emilio Estefan.

Likelihood
The play will have its pre-Broadway premiere at Chicago’s Oriental Theater, set to run June 2 to July 5, 2015. On Your Feet is scheduled to open on Broadway with previews begining October 5 2015, in advance to a November 5 opening.

Creative Associated with On Your Feet
Direction by Jerry Mitchell
Produced by Estefan Enterprises and James L. Nederlander
Music by Gloria and Emilio Estefan
Last Update: August 19, 2014

Premise
Modeled after the popular 70s television show, one of the Hee Haw lasses of Kornfield Kountry is set to marry her beau, but before she says ‘I do’ she wants to see some of this cotton pickin’ world. Many of the classic Hew Haw characters show up to reprise their roles like Grandpa Jones, Lulu Roman and Misty Rowe.

Likelihood
Early readings in January 2014 went well and were attended by producers Bob Boyett (Spamalot), Jill Furman (In the Heights) and representatives from the Shuberts, the Nederlanders and Jujamcyn Theaters. Steve Buchanan of the Opry Entertainment Group is spearheading the project (Source NY Post). It certainly seems like it has its ticket punched for the Great White Way, but will Broadway audiences embrace a Country-themed production?

Creative Associated with Hee Haw: The Musical
Script by Robert Horn
Music and lyrics by Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark

Last Update: January 10, 2014

Premise
Houdini tells the story of master illusionist Harry Houdini. Its not a biography per se, but rather a story of his battle with three ladies, The Spiritualists, who convince the world they can communicate with the dead.

Likelihood
Houdini’s biggest claim to fame was having Hugh Jackman attached to the project. Due to time commitment issues, Jackman backed out of the project in December 2013. The production has been lingering for quite a while with the first mention we heard of it popping up back in 2011. It has been slated for Broadway several times including a tryout run in Chicago envisioned for this year yet nothing has materialized. It has heavy hitters Stephen Schwartz and Aaron Sorkin attached to the project so you’d think it will eventually find its footing sometime, but its been the grand illusion so far.

Creative Associated with Houdini
Book by Aaron Sorkin
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Direction by Jack O’Brien

Last Update: December 31, 2013

Premise
The play is based on Victor Hugo’s novel and 1966 film, telling the story of a gypsy girl from 15th century France who gets framed for murder but eventually is saved by Notre Dame’s former bellringer, Quasimodo.

Likelihood
The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be running from October 28 through December 7 2014 at San Diego’s La jolla Playhouse. A potential Broadway run has been speculated, but nothing has been confirmed thus far. The musical will be produced by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Production, bringing together the work of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz.

Creative Associated with The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Direction by Scott Schwartz
Book by Victor Hugo
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Revised script by Peter Parnell
Choregraphy by Josh Bergasse
Last Update: January 24, 2014

Premise
Inspired by Alanis Morissette’s 1995 rock album, Jagged Little Pill will feature all of tracks from the album as well as original songs, written especially for this project.

Likelihood
A workshop production for 2014 had been announced last year, but no direction or timeline have been revealed so far.

Creative Associated with Jagged Little Pill
Produced by Vivek J. Tiwary and Arvind Ethan David
Orchestrations by Tom Kitt
Last Update: April 5, 2014

Premise
Modeled after the movie of the same name, King Kong brings to life the story of the giant ape and its encounter with 1930’s New York, focusing on the friendship he bonds with aspiring actress Ann Darrow.

Likelihood
King Kong was first set to appear on the Great White Way in December 2014, but the opening has been delayed and there are no confirmed details on the progress of the project at this moment. Producers say they are not rushing to open on Broadway because of the elaborate production and the time needed to implement creative changes. The creative team is targeting the Foxwoods Theatre as the production’s home.

Creative Associated with King Kong
Produced by Carmen Pavlovic
Book by Marsha Norman
Music and lyrics by Marius de Vries
Choreography by John O’Connell
Costumes by Roger Kirk
Projection by Frieder Weiss
Last Update: March 7, 2014

Premise
The Broadway musical version of The Last Goodbye is an adaptation of the classic Romeo and Juliet tale of love, set to the music of Jeff Buckley.

Likelihood
After the San Diego opening at the Old Globe Theater last year on October 6, producers announced that the musical might be eventually heading to Broadway. There are no confirmed details on the project at this moment, while producer Hal Luftig discussed the need for another developmental production, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

Creative Associated with The Last Goodbye
Conceived and adapted by Michael Kimmel
Directed by Alex Timbers
Produced by Hal Luftig
Music and lyrics by Jeff Buckley
Choreography by Sonya Tayeh
Last Update: November 3, 2013

Premise
Adapted from Eugene O’Neill’s award winning play, Long Day’s Journey into Night is a story about a disfunctional family, the Tyrone’s, and the struggle with their addictions and failures. It is also considered to be the finest drama ever written by an American playwright.

Likelihood
The return of the play to the Great White Way has been confirmed last year by legendary actress Jessica Lange, who has been a part of the production since back in 2000 and again in 2003. No plans or timeline for the project have been announced so far, although the actress confirmed that she intents to bring the play back on Broadway sometime in the next year to year and a half.

Creative Associated with Long Day’s Journey into Night
Book by Eugene O’Neill
Last Update: August 26, 2013

Premise
Adapted for the stage from the movie of the same name,Mean Girls: The Musical presents the role of the unwritten social rules and cliques teenagers are facing these days. A 16-year-old Cady Heron arrives at North Shores High School outside of Chicago, after living in Africa, and meets Regina George, the meanest girl in school.

Likelihood
The musical adaptation from the film is still drafting, but the producers of this project, Tina Fey and composer husband Jeff Richmond, are definitely working on their Broadway debut. So it could probably be from one to two years until becomes a reality.

Creative Associated with Mean Girls: The Musical
Produced by Tina Fey and Jeff Richmond
Music by Jeff Richmond
Last Update: May 2, 2014

Premise
A huge Broadway hit that opened in 1991 and played for a full decade, raking in $285 million in the process. Miss Saigon reflects on the romance between a Marine and a Vietnamese woman as Saigon is about to fall.

Likelihood
Its not a matter of if Miss Saigon will return to Broadway, but more of a question of when. Miss Saigon is currently playing the Prince Edward Theatre on the West End in London. It is booked through April 25, 2015 so a spring 2015 opening is certainly out. Fall looks like the earliest New York would see it. Mackintosh hopes to open the production in a pre-Broadway run in Toronto before moving on to the Big Apple, yet admits its no more than “speculative gossip” at this point (Source: New York Times).

Creative Associated with Miss Saigon
Produced by Cameron Mackintosh

Last Update: May 14, 2014

Premise
Modeled after Herman Melville’s 1851 novel,Moby Dick illustrates the story of Ishmael, captain of the whaler Pequod, and his quest for Ahab.

Likelihood
Well-known producer Cameron Mackintosh announced a possible revival of Moby Dick opening in London and on Broadway in the next year, but there are no confirmed details regarding the production at this moment. It all started with the producer’s Moby Dick – A Whale of a Tale, a show that eventually flopped when it ran in London’s West End in 1992. No plans are in place for the moment regarding the project.

Creative Associated with Moby Dick
Produced by Cameron Mackintosh
Book by Herman Melville
Last Update: January 8, 2013

Premise
Probably the most popular musical of the 1950’s, My Fair Lady is an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. It tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a flower peddler, who tries to fit into the higher class by taking speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins.

Likelihood
Music mogul, Clive Davis, announced in 2013 that he is really interested in bringing My Fair Lady back on Broadway this year. Although there were rumours of casting Anne Hathaway and Colin Firth, producers say they are still searching for the perfect cast. My Fair Lady is currently being played at the Ocean State Theater. The new Broadway revival will be directed by Bartlett Sherr, though no opening date has yet been announced.
Creative Associated with My Fair Lady
Direction by Bartlett Sherr
Produced by Clive Davis
Last Update: April 4, 2014

Premise
The Philadelphia Story is modeled after the 1939 romantic comedy and tells the story of a socialite woman whose wedding plans are disrupted by the arrival of her ex-husband and an attractive magazine journalist.

Likelihood
A Broadway revival of the romantic comedy was initialy set to open in the fall of 2013, but no plans have been made in this direction. There is no casting or additional creative associated with the project so far.

Creative Associated with The Philadelphia Story
Direction by Alex Timbers
Last Update: May 15, 2013

Premise
Modeled after the 1990’s iconic picture, Pretty Woman portrays Julia Roberts playing a Hollywood prostitute who happens to meet a very successful businessman one night, which will completely change the course of her life.

Likelihood
The most successful romantic comedy of all time, as it is considered by a lot of critics, seems to be getting closer to a Great White Way opening as director Garry Marshall has already met with potential composers and lyricists for the project. It looks like things are on their right way for a Broadway opening soon, although no cast members have yet been attached to the project.

Creative Associated with Pretty Woman
Directed by Garry Marshall
Produced by Paula Wagner
Book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton
Last Update: March 18, 2014

Premise
Modeled after the fantastic 1973 novel and the 1987 romantic comedy, The Princess Bride tells the story of a beautiful princess, Buttercup, who is rescued from an evil villain by her hero, a farm boy named Westley.

Likelihood
The musical is working its way to Broadway audiences, after two previous failed attempts by director Rob Reiner and Disney. The project was most recently cancelled in 2007, after composer Adam Guettel and author William Goldman revealed their intentions for creating a The Princess Bride musical, back in 2006. No additional information has been revealed so far.
Directed by Rob Reiner
Last Update: July 28, 2014

Premise
Adapted from the TV comedy drama series, Scrubs tells the story of a group of young doctors working at Sacred Heart teaching hospital.

Likelihood
The TV show, starring Zach Braff as doctor John Dorian, is on its way to Broadway, according to show creator Bill Lawrence. There are no firm details or timeline announced for this project at the moment, but it seems that Scrubs’ musical version is currently in progress. Zach Braff could be a possible name starring in the Broadway play, after appearing most recently in Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway.

Creative Associated with Scrubs
Directed by Bill Lawrence
Last Update: February 13, 2014

Premise
Adapted from the famous 1997 movie, Titanic follows the story of the passangers of the British liner which sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912, focusing on the love affair between high class Rose DeWitt Bukater and the peniless painter Jack Dawson.

Likelihood
The announced Broadway opening for the fall of 2014 has been delayed due to the lack of an available theater, and there are no revised plans confirmed at the moment. Producers Barry and Fran Weissler were hoping to do a pre-Broadway run in Toronto this summer, but those scheduled dates have also been cancelled. In the meantime, producers say they will reveal all revised plans, as soon as scheduling allows.

Creative Associated with Titanic
Direction by Thom Southerland
Book by Peter Stone
Music and lyrics by Maury Yeston
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Last Update: May 21, 2014

Premise
Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow’s Broadway musical production is based on California’s New Wave group from the 1980’s called The Go Go’s.

Likelihood
Along with production partner, singer Donovan Leitch, Gwyneth Paltrow has agreed to take part in a Broadway musical, although no official dates or theater names have been announced so far. Jeff Whitty has also signed up for the project as a writer for the musical script, and it looks like things are working their way up to the Great White Way.

Creative Associated with Untitled Go Go’s Musical
Produced by Gwyneth Paltrow and Donovan Leitch
Book by Jeff Whitty
Last Update: September 26, 2013

Premise
The American film comedian Judd Apatow is working on a new play for Broadway. According to a report, the actor is now ready to develop a dramatic play, illustrating the difficulties encountered by the victims of the criminal justice system. It seems that the characters and situations presented in the project will have nothing to do with the comedian’s personal experience.

Likelihood
There is no creative or cast associated with this project and no timeline has been set so far. Judd Apatow is reportedly working on his new play.

Creative Associated with Untitled Judd Apatow’s Play
Produced by Judd Apatow
Last Update: December 21, 2012