‘Almost Famous’ coming to Broadway in the fall
NEW YORK » Stillwater is taking on Broadway.
Cameron Crowe’s cult classic movie “Almost Famous,” about a teen music journalist following the fictional rock band Stillwater out on the road, is headed to the Great White Way this fall, producers announced Thursday.
“Broadway fans and rock fans have so much in common,” Crowe, who is writing the book and lyrics, said in a statement. “We obsess over the music, we pore over every possible recording we find, and we treasure those moments when an artist stands on a stage, opens their heart in that most personal way, and creates real magic. Suddenly everything seems possible.
“‘Almost Famous’ has always been about the power of that connection: hearing a piece of music for the first time, looking into a person’s eyes and feeling the electricity, finding your tribe. The line ‘ it’s all happening’ has always been so key to the show, and now that we’re heading to Broadway, it’s finally come true. It actually is … all happening.”
The musical will star “Supergirl” alum Chris Wood, Tony Award nominee Anika Larsen, Solea Pfeiffer, Drew Gehling and Casey Likes in his Broadway debut.
Tony Award nominee Jeremy Herrin will direct the show, with music and lyrics from Tom Kitt and choreography by Sarah O’gleby.
“The year is 1973 and it’s all happening,” reads a summary of the show. “Led Zeppelin is king, Richard Nixon is president, and idealistic 15-year- old William Miller is an aspiring music journalist. When Rolling Stone magazine hires him to go on the road with an up-and-coming band, William is thrust into the rockand-roll circus, where his love of music, his longing for friendship, and his integrity as a writer collide.
“‘Almost Famous’ is about a young man finding his place in the world and the indelible characters he meets along the way. It’s a celebration of community, family, fandom and the power of music.”
The 2000 movie, which earned four Oscar nominations, starred Billy Crudup, Frances Mcdormand, Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit.
The show will begin previews on Sept. 13 and officially open on Oct. 11. A theater has not yet been announced.