BILLY ELLIOT's Stephen Daldry in Talks to Direct Broadway-Bound FROZEN Musical?

Following reports of Alex Timbers' departure from the highly anticipated Broadway-bound adaptation of Disney's FROZEN, the New York Post writes that the show's producers are in talks with Billy Elliot helmer Stephen Daldry to take his place.

Daldry, who is used to working on large-scale shows including THE AUDIENCE with Helen Mirren, will reportedly be directing the cult phenomenon onstage.

Along with the announcement of Timbers' exit, Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Production commented: "Making the tough calls when creating a new Broadway musical is never easy, but this was especially painful. Alex Timbers is one of the most exciting and innovative theater directors I know, and we've proudly worked with him from my support of the early development of 'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' through our work together on 'Peter and the Starcatcher.' Though we have chosen to go in another direction with this role, we are committed to seeing 'Frozen's' tremendous theatrical potential brought to life onstage."

It remains unclear whether the change in creative team will affect the production's scheduled pre-Broadway run at Denver Center for the Performing Arts in the summer 2017, ahead of a spring 2018 opening on Broadway.

Earlier this year, Timbers helmed a developmental lab of FROZEN, featuring Betsy Wolfe as Elsa, Patti Murin as Anna and Okieriete Onaodowan as Kristoff. Several months ago, choreographer Peter Darling also departed FROZEN's creative team, citing scheduling conflicts.

According to a recent Actors Equity casting notice for a FROZEN development lab to be held in New York City this fall, Christopher Gattelli (NEWSIES, KING AND I) will take over as choreographer.

The hit film's creator Jennifer Lee will pen the book for the show while Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who received Oscars for the film's hit song "Let It Go," will compose the show's full score. Bob Crowley (set and costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), Peter Hylenski (sound design) and Stephen Oremus (musical director) will round out the creative team.

While not yet confirmed by Disney Theatricals, the production is rumored for a run at New York's St. James Theater, currently the home of SOMETHING ROTTEN!.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski