National Lampoon musical to mock festival culture
“Lemmings,” a sketch musical comedy that was conceived by the humor magazine National Lampoon and played Off-Broadway in 1973, is being rebooted as “Lemmings: 21st Century.” Whereas the original “Lemmings” lampooned Woodstock (renamed “Woodshuck”), “Lemmings: 21st Century” will tackle contemporary corporate-branded festivals such as Coachella and Burning Man. “Lemmings: 21st Century” will premiere at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater on March 14 and 15. The original “Lemmings” starred John Belushi, Chevy Chase and Christopher Guest.
‘Mean Girls’ to be remade into film musical
The Broadway musical “Mean Girls,” which was adapted from a popular 2004 film comedy starring Lindsay Lohan, is now set to receive its own film adaptation from Paramount Pictures, which will be produced by Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey. “I’ve spent 16 years with these characters now. They are my Marvel Universe and I love them dearly,” Fey, who will also write the screenplay, said in a statement. It was simultaneously announced that the Broadway production has recouped its investment costs, (officially making it a hit by traditional standards) and a London production is slated to open in 2021.
‘The Karate Kid’ musical on the way
Broadway will meet the martial arts in a new musical adaptation of the 1984 film “The Karate Kid,” which will have a book by Robert Mark Kamen (the film’s screenwriter) and songs by Drew Gasparini (“Smash”). “The sweet contradiction of ‘The Karate Kid’ is that the real nature of karate is, as the show says, ‘not for attack.’ Not to hurt, not to win, but to let opposing energies play out and come in grace to a conclusion that allows dignity and respect for all,” Amon Miyamoto, who will direct, said in a statement.
‘Blue’ to play Apollo instead of Broadway
Charles Randolph-Wright’s 2000 drama “Blue,” which was slated to receive a Broadway revival this spring directed by Phylicia Rashad, will instead play the Apollo Theater for 16 weeks beginning April 27. The cast will be led by Leslie Uggams and Lynn Whitfield. In recent years, Rashad has directed August Wilson plays at major regional theaters. The play (which contains a jazz score by Nona Hendryx) examines a rich African-American family in rural South Carolina.
Complete ‘Dreamcoat’ casting announced
Complete casting has been announced for the one-night-only concert production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Feb. 17 at Lincoln Center, some of which is gender-blind in nature. Joining the previously announced Noah Galvin as Joseph and Eden Espinosa, Alex Newell and Jessica Vosk as co-narrators are Merle Dandridge (Pharaoh), Bonnie Milligan (Gad), Andy Karl (Potiphar), Orfeh (Potiphar’s Wife), Brooks Ashmanskas (Baker), Gavin Lee (Butler), Chuck Cooper (Jacob) and Jay Armstrong Johnson (Reuben).
Spotted…
Magic Johnson, Cicely Tyson, Tony Shalhoub and Bill Irwin at “A Soldier’s Play”…Eric McCormack and Steven Weber at “Beetlejuice”…Richard Kind at “The Inheritance.”
