'Rocky' musical headed to Broadway
Credit: AV Club
Though the actor has made six films as the iconic pugilist, Sylvester Stallone isn't quite ready to put Rocky Balboa behind him.
Work is underway to bring a musical based on the Oscar-winning film Rocky to Broadway. The musical debuted in Germany last October to rave reviews and packed houses, so the decision to move it to Broadway by early 2014 was a bit of a no-brainer. Tony-nominated director Alex Timbers (Peter And The Starcatcher, Bloody Blood Andrew Jackson) will direct, with music and lyrics from Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the writing team behind Seussical and the Tony-winning Ragtime. The book is written by Thomas Meehan, the man behind The Producers and Hairspray.
Stallone spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the intimacy of the project. “The story of Rocky was very much like my life at the time – starting out with nothing, having to fight for roles and recognition," said the actor. "So I put those feelings into the body of a boxer and I had no idea there were so many millions of people that felt the same way. Alex Timbers and the entire creative team have not only honored that original impulse, but have made his story as exciting, heart-breaking, and inspiring as it was when Rocky first went the distance onscreen."
Credit: Nigel Parry/CPi
Rocky will begin previews in February at the Winter Garden Theatre, with an official opening anticipated in March, though exact dates and cast have yet to be announced. The Winter Garden Theater is one of Broadway's larger venues, boasting a seating capacity of nearly 1,500. The theater has long been the home of the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!, which will be moving to the smaller Broadhurst Theatre later this year.
Check out some footage from the German production of Rocky below, and sound off on the project in the comments section!
