New Sondheim Musical BUNUEL to Arrive on Broadway in 2018? Joe Mantello Boards as Director

As BWW reported in August, composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim is collaborating with book writer David Ives on a new musical BUNUEL, based on two films by 1930s Spanish surrealist Luis Buñuel, "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" and "The Exterminating Angel." The project is expected to premiere Off-Broadway in 2017 at The Public Theater.

This summer, The Public Theater produced a workshop of the first act. Since that time, the prolific composer has written additional songs to add to the score.

According to the New York Post's Michael Riedel, Joe Mantello has boarded the project as director. A source shares, "Joe's bringing some of the cast together to sing Steve's songs. They want to see what they have every step of the way." Included in the cast are Broadway veterans Sierra Boggess, Shuler Hensley, Marc Kudisch and Nancy Opel.

Riedel also reports that Mantello plans to stage a full workshop of "Buñuel" in March 2017. Subsequently, the show will open at the Public next fall. With producer Scott Rudin on board, Riedel predicts that with favorable reviews, the musical will certainly head to Broadway for a Spring 2018 premiere, just in time for Sondheim's 88th birthday. Says the source, "Steve is very happy about how things are going. He'd rather be writing a new show than sitting through a birthday gala!"

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