Mega-Musical KING KONG Delays Broadway Run

As previously reported, following a successful run in Melbourne, the producers of KING KONG were planning to bring the mega-musical to Broadway in December 2014. Due to the "huge scale of the production" and to allow the creative team necessary time to implement changes, the producers have decided "to not rush in before the end of the year."

KING KONG producer Carmen Pavlovic, CEO of Global Creatures, said in a statement released today: "KING KONG has been more than five years in the making and we are thrilled with the production that played to packed houses in Melbourne. We learnt so much from this first engagement. We realize that there are some exciting creative changes we can and want to make before KING KONG comes home to New York City and we don't want to be pressured to rush in to meet any artificial deadlines. We want to make the best possible show. We will announce our plans when we can confirm our timeline to open on Broadway. It will be worth the wait!"

KING KONG was previously believed to be opening at the Foxwoods Theatre - now the Lyric - but today, it was confirmed that a revival of ON THE TOWN will take the theatre beginning in October.

Since it premiered in Melbourne last year, running on a budget of $30 million, producers have been eyeing KING KONG's Broadway debut, only saying that they were aiming for the 2014-15 season. Producers have also been in discussions to bring KING KONG to Germany, Korea, Japan, and Las Vegas after New York.

KING KONG recently picked up five 2013 Helpmann Awards (the Australian equivalent of the Tonys) for Best Costume Design - Roger Kirk (He is also a former Tony Winner 1996 for King and I, 2001 nominee for 42nd Street); Best Scenic Design - Peter England; Best Lighting Design - Peter Mumford; Best Sound Design - Peter Hylenski (He was nominated for a Tony last year); and Outstanding Theatrical Achievement - The Design, Creation & Operation of King Kong.

The Melbourne principal cast features Esther Hannaford (Hairspray) as Ann Darrow; newcomer Adam Lyon as Carl Denham; Chris Ryan (Thyestes) as Jack Driscoll; veteran stage actor Richard Piper as Captain Engelhorn; and the queen of musical theatre and cabaret Queenie van de Zandt as Cassandra.

One of the world's great modern myths about an enormous creature and his battle for survival in New York City, KING KONG has gone back to the source--the novella of the original film by Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace--in this first adaptation as a large-scale musical. Featuring a cast of 49 actors, singers, dancers, circus performers, and puppeteers; a crew of 76; and arguably the most technologically advanced puppet in the world--a one-tonne, six-metre giant silverback--KING KONG will be an epic and dazzling original theatrical experience.