BWW EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: Duncan Sheik Teases SPRING AWAKENING Movie; Filming in Spring 2013 & New Cast?

On Friday afternoon, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking to Tony Award-winning SPRING AWAKENING songwriter Duncan Sheik all about his staggering spate of upcoming stage projects - AMERICAN PSYCHO, THE NIGHTENGALE, WHISPER HOUSE, MR. CHESS and ALICE included - as well discussing his upcoming concert appearance on November 23 at the Gramercy Theatre in NYC, but, before that extensive InDepth InterView appears next week, here is some exciting exclusive news on the development of the forthcoming film adaptation of SPRING AWAKENING, directed by McG, to potentially begin filming next year if all goes as currently planned.

Also, more information about Duncan Sheik live at the Gramercy Theatre in NYC on November 23 is available here.

Song Of The Purple Spring

PC: What can you tell me about the development of the SPRING AWAKENING feature film?

DS: We are working on it - we are really working on it. There are teams being put together and I guess that if everything goes as we hope we might be shooting as early as next spring - but, there are a few things that need to fall into place before that happens.

PC: Who is directing?

DS: Well, McG is the director and the person spearheading the charge of making the movie and as of right now we are hoping to start shooting in Eastern Europe next spring.

PC: Will it be an entirely new cast, do you envision?

DS: Yeah - probably.

PC: Inevitably, given that the original cast are all mid-20s or more at this point.

DS: Yeah, especially with the movie, even more so than the play, you want them to be around the real ages that the kids are in the actual story.

PC: When Jonathan Groff did this column, we discussed the possibility of GLEE taking on SPRING AWAKENING someday. Is that something you would enjoy seeing come to fruition?

DS: Well, I think this is a conversation that has actually taken place - obviously, Ryan Murphy was a big fan of SPRING AWAKENING and obviously that’s part of why he knew about Lea and Jonathan, but I don’t know for sure; for some reason it hasn’t happened yet, mysteriously. I would be psyched to see it, though.

PC: It has the potential to be a groundbreaking property as a film. There is a whole new generation of theatre fans out there thanks to GLEE and SMASH and performing arts-based entertainment that is available to them now, as I'm sure you are aware.

DS: I am and I think that is so fantastic. You know, here is the thing: there are shows like WICKED, JERSEY BOYS and MAMMA MIA that have infiltrated the culture in such an intense way that so many people saw them and loved them; and, also, people made enormous amounts of money on them. [Laughs.]

PC: You can say that again.

DS: So, of course, really, you just jump into this sphere because it is a really vibrant art form and it’s really exciting to be a part of it all.

PC: And as someone composing contemporary scores, you are influencing a whole generation yourself.

DS: Thank you. That’s nice to hear.

So, what do you think about the prospect of a film adaptation of one of Broadway most influential contemproary musicals? Who would you like to see take the reigns from the likes of Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff, John Gallagher, Jr. and the rest of the impressive original players? Should the film be planned to be rated R and embrace the edgier aspects of the property or tone it down to merit a PG-13? Any way you want it, it could soon very well be time to get totally psyched!

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