Becoming Chaplin, a new musical depicting the life of film icon Charlie Chaplin, will open on Broadway in the 2012-2013 season.
The show will be directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle (Finian’s Rainbow, Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway) with music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and book by three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Curtis.
Under the name, Limelight, the show had a run at the La Jolla Playhouse during its 2010/2011 season. I saw the show and loved it. Even though casting has not been announced, I really do hope the star of that run, Rob McClure, is involved in it. He was terrific. (Check out my interview with Rob here).
Producers Bob and Mindy Rich said in a statement: “We were thrilled that La Jolla audiences responded so positively to what was then Limelight, and we have taken the necessary time since that production to restructure the musical for Broadway audiences. Charlie Chaplin holds such an iconic place in the history of the entertainment world and indeed of the 20th century. BECOMING CHAPLIN, a new musical penned by respected film composer Christopher Curtis, a fresh voice to the musical theatre, and three-time Tony-winning writer Thomas Meehan, will not only give audiences insight into the life and career of this fascinating man, but also explore the factors that launched him from a young artist struggling to make a name for himself to an entertainment icon. Helmed by one of Broadway’s best director/choreographers, Warren Carlyle, BECOMING CHAPLIN brings the legend back to life for 2012 audiences.”
Synopsis: “From the slums of London to the heights of Hollywood, BECOMING CHAPLIN is the showbiz Broadway musical about the silent film legend the world couldn’t stop talking about – Charlie Chaplin. The brand new 22-person musical reveals the man behind the legend, the undeniable genius that forever changed the way America went to the movies.”
For more info on the show, click here
