LYSISTRATA JONES Film Adaptation in the Works; Andy Fickman to Direct

Andy Fickman has agreed to develop and direct an adaptation of Douglas Carter Beane's and Lewis Flinn's Off Broadway and Broadway musical Lysistrata Jones. Based on the Aristophenes comedy, had its acclaimed Off Broadway run in 2011 and graduated to Broadway in 2012. Along the way, the show garnered raves from the New York Times, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

Producer Mitchell Peck (Priest) brought the project to his Crooked Arrows producing partner J. Todd Harris (Bottle Shock) who in turn introduced it to Fickman (Parental Guidance, You Again, Game Plan). Peck and Harris will produce through their companies, Peck Entertainment and Branded Pictures Entertainment, respectively.

Fickman, who had met Beane on an earlier project, effused about the work and the creative team, "Doug is truly as sharp a playwright as there in the theatre today. I love this play and the music by Lewis Flinn. I'm confident this is a timely musical comedy that will resonate with young adult and teen audiences alike. I can't wait to work with this team on the movie."

Harris, who has been working with Fickman on a stage musical adaptation of the movie Heathers, comments: "Mitchell suggested Andy because he knew we were working together and it was the perfect recommendation. Andy totally gets this brand of smart, sexy comedy, and we know he can bring it to wide audience." Fickman's been on a comedy hit roll at the box office with his most recent Billy Crystal-Bette Midler comedy Parental Guidance grossing over 120M worldwide.

Beane currently has two Tony-winning shows on Broadway, The Nance starring Nathan Lane, and Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. His previous theatre credits include the Broadway versions of Xanadu and Sister Act, and the plays The Little Dog Laughed, and As Bees In Honey Drown. He also wrote Too Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar. Flinn has written scores for Little Dog Laughed and Charles Busch's Divine Sister as well as TV shows Million Dollar Password and Power of 10. Beane is represented by CAA. Fickman and Flinn are represented at WME. Producers plan to bring the pitch to financiers this summer.