Variety reports that a new multi-million dollar musical is on its way to Broadway for a likely April 2007 berth.
Flying Tigers (not to be confused with the upcoming Broadway musical based on
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) will concern the heroic American air guard of volunteers who helped defend China from Japanese forces during World War II.
With an estimated $20 million budget, the show will include an environmental set and dogfith sequences, as well as a large cast of 25 to 30 performers. Don Gregory (
The Belle of Amherst, Camelot, My Fair Lady revivals) will produce the spectacular musical.
Roger Anderson (
Shine! The Horatio Alger Musical, Ladykiller) will pen the show's music, Kenneth Jones (
Playbill.com editor,
Voice of the City) the lyrics and William Luce (
The Belle of Amherst, Barrymore) the book.
Robin Wagner (sets), William Ivey Long (costumes) and Ken Billington (lights) will comprise the design team.Walter Painter, who choreographed
City of Angels, will direct and choreograph
Flying Tigers. Right now
, "the plan is to focus the narrative on
the events that took place from 1940-42. The story will include the
Flying Tiger recruitment process as well as a fictional romance between
a Chinese doctor and an American nurse," according to the article, which states that the creators are early in the process of writing the show. Gregory is also seeking Tom Wopat (Annie Get Your Gun, Chicago) to play the lead role of Gen. Claire L. Chennault, who formed the Tigers.
A Broadway theatre has not yet been selected for Flying Tigers, but the show may have a future in China after its Broadway run.
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