Tony Award-winning producer
Scott Sanders and
Tony- nominated architect/set designer
David Rockwell announced plans today
to present HOUDINI, An Original Musical on Broadway in the spring of 2010.
The creative team includes
Danny Elfman (music),
David Yazbek (lyrics), Kurt
Andersen (book), and
Jack O'Brien (direction). HOUDINI, An Original Musical
marks the Broadway debuts of Mr. Elfman and Mr. Andersen, and first-time
producing debut for Mr. Rockwell, who will also design the sets.
Harry Houdini (1874-1926), one of the world's most famous and stupefying
escape artists, was known to constantly up the ante. Throughout his career,
the magician seemed capable of outwitting any restraint or obstacle - from
handcuffs to jail cells to underwater traps and underground caves to thick
walls. The only exception was his inability to satisfy his driving,
obsessive quest to challenge the limitations of being human. HOUDINI, An
Original Musical ultimately deals with the human yearning for astonishment
and miracles-both manmade and supernatural-and the quest to defy death.
"When David Rockwell asked me to join him as a co-lead producer, I didn't
hesitate for a moment. Houdini is an amazing, iconic figure who continues to
captivate our imagination more than 80 years after his death. His colorful
world defines the theatrical and, combined with this remarkable creative
team, will make for a fascinating and entertaining musical," says Scott
Sanders.
"The musical theater has always been a passion of mine, and I can't imagine
a more thrilling opportunity than the creation of a new musical, especially
with this team" adds David Rockwell.
Broadway theatre, casting and full design team will be announced at a later
date.
BIOGRAPHIES
Danny Elfman (Music) is one of today's most successful creators of movie
music and is has managed to make the transition from rock musician with his
band Oingo Boingo ("Dead Man's Party") to three-time Oscar-nominated
orchestral score composer. The Grammy-winning composer has been working in
motion pictures since 1985, when director Tim Burton and star Paul Reubens
called him to write the music for Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Since then,
Elfman has scored nearly all of Burton's movies including Beetlejuice,
Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas,
Mars Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow, Planet of the Apes, The Corpse Bride, and
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory . Elfman has earned Oscar nominations for
his inventive scores to Good Will Hunting , Men in Black and Big Fish.. He
has also composed the scores for such diverse films as Midnight Run,
Spider-Man 1 & 2, Dick Tracy, Sommersby, Mission: Impossible, Black Beauty,
Dolores Claiborne, Chicago, Dead Presidents, A Simple Plan, The Family Man,
Proof of Life, To Die For, Charlotte's Web and Meet The Robinsons. Upcoming
scores include Wanted staring Angelina Jolie for acclaimed Russian director
Timur Bekmambetov, Errol Morris' documentary Standard Operating Procedure,
Hellboy II directed by Pan's Labyrinth's Guillermo Del Toro and Milk, a
biographical film about Harvey Milk directed by Gus Van Sant starring Sean
Penn. Elfman is also well-known for his classic television themes to "The
Simpsons," "Tales from the Crypt," and "Desperate Housewives." Elfman's
first full-length orchestral commission, Serenada Schizophrana, premiered at
Carnegie Hall and was recorded for Sony Classics. Elfman will be making his
ballet debut this summer with the American Ballet Theatre's at the
Metropolitan Opera House with the World Premiere of a new work choreographed
by Twyla Tharp.
