AMERICAN PSYCHO to Receive Developmental Lab in January 2015

American Psycho, following its cancelled U.S. premiere at Second Stage Theatre, will receive a developmental lab reading in January 2015 in New York City, according to a new Equity casting notice.

As previously reported, steps are being made to bring the show straight to Broadway in Fall 2015, with the lab lending credence to the rumblings.

Act 4 founder David Johnson recently told the New York Times that the arrangements with Second Stage "just weren't in the best interests of the production and its continuing life." He also acknowledged that Broadway producers Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel were amongst "several theater professionals" who advised that the new musical should move straight to Broadway. Both are currently in talks to be lead producers for the Broadway run.

At the time, Richards also said: "I just felt the proposal by Second Stage was something that did not serve the best interests of the production. I heard from other producers that they also spoke with Act 4. We were all asked for advice, and we gave it. I saw 'American Psycho' in London, and I thought it was terrific."

AMERICAN PSYCHO, featuring a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and music and lyrics by Grammy and Tony-Award Winner Duncan Sheik, was to be directed by by Rupert Goold. The production was slated to begin performances in February 2015 ahead of an official bow in March.

According to press notes, "26-year-old Patrick Bateman is sophisticated, rich and devastatingly handsome. He's got a sculpted body, a model-gorgeous girlfriend, a to-die-for apartment, and a Wall Street job in 1980s New York City. In short, his life's killer. There's just one snag in this dark vision of the American Dream...Patrick can't get the blood out of his $5000 suits."

AMERICAN PSYCHO had its world premiere in December 2013 at the Almeida Theatre, Rupert Goold, Artistic Director. The world premiere was a production with Headlong in association with David Johnson and Jesse Singer forAct 4 Entertainment by special arrangement with Edward R. Pressman.

Pictured: London 2013 Cast; Photo by Manuel Harlan