Rocky the musical is going to be throwing some serious punches on Broadway starting in 2014.
One of the most famous lines from the titular character in the original movie was when Adrien asks Sylvester Stallone’s character why he took up boxing. Stallone answers that he “can’t sing or dance.” While he might not be able to, there is quite a bit of singing and dancing going on in the stage adaptation.
Stallone, who wrote the screenplay and actually received Oscar nominations for that writing launched the musical in Germany in 2011. Now his new project will be making it to the bright lights of New York next year.
The Rocky musical was also conceived by the long time actor and director and will have a book by Thomas Meehan ( The Producers , Hairspray ) as well as a score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens ( Ragtime ). Young and up and coming director Alex Timbers will guiding the action on stage.
Early reports said that the production for this show might run as high as $30 million but those rumors have been shot down by producer Bill Taylor. Taylor said that because they have already put together the production in Germany he believes it won’t cost any more than $15 million to bring it stateside.
Should the production approach that $30 million price tag it would be one of the most expensive shows in Broadway history. It doesn’t sound like there are going to be many changes to the actual script between now and when the show arrives in New York.
There have not been any actors hired for the show just yet, though it would make sense that the producers are in the process of starting their search. Preview performances for the musical are expected to begin in February at the Winter Garden Theater.
The Rocky musical is just one of a number of projects that Stallone has one his plate as he is also getting set to go into production for The Expendables 3 .
