“Crazy Rich Asians” is coming to Broadway, so break out your dumpling wrappers and mahjong set.
The popular romantic comedy is being developed as a Broadway musical by director Jon M. Chu, who directed the 2018 film of the same name. Warner Bros. Theater Ventures and the book’s author, Kevin Kwan, are supporting this musical endeavor.
“Crazy Rich Asians” marks the Broadway debut of Chu, who has become Hollywood’s go-to director for bringing stage shows to the big screen. He is currently working on an adaptation of Universal’s two-parter “Wicked,” and previously directed Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film version of “In the Heights.”
A press release describes “Crazy Rich Asians” as “a fun, charming, and hilarious look at what can happen when young love and old money collide.” Like the movie, the musical is also based on a book by Kevin Kwan and follows a Chinese-American professor named Rachel who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick and discovers that his family is unusually wealthy. I know.
The 2019 film, starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding, and Michelle Yeoh, topped the box office for three weeks and ultimately grossed $239 million worldwide. The sequel, based on the novel China Rich Girlfriend, has been in development for five years.
The musical features a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, music by Helen Park, and lyrics by Amanda Green and Tat Tong. Additional details regarding the schedule of pre-Broadway activities will be announced soon.
“Crazy Rich Asians” is one of several blockbusters, including “La La Land” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” to be turned into live musicals. Stage versions of the 1985 sci-fi comedy “Back to the Future,” the 2004 romantic drama “The Notebook,” and the 2011 circus-themed “Water for Elephants” are currently playing on Broadway. has been done.
