Christiani Pitts (currently on Broadway in A Bronx Tale) and Eric William Morris (Mamma Mia!) will star in the Broadway premiere of King Kong. The two will take on the roles of actress Anna Darrow and film director Carl Denham, respectively.
Performances will begin October 5 at the Broadway Theatre (currently the home of Rocktopia), where it will officially open November 8.
The musical features a book by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), a score by Marius de Vries (La La Land and Moulin Rouge), and songs by Eddie Perfect (the Broadway-aimed Beetlejuice musical). Drew McOnie will direct.
The stage adaptation of the 1932 novel (which has in turn inspired myriad films) premiered in Melbourne in 2013 and has since undergone several overhauls, including a new creative team.
Pitts appeared in the original Broadway cast of A Bronx Tale before assuming the role of Jane full-time in August. Regionally, she has appeared in Rent, Aida, Big Fish, and Cabaret.Morris made his Broadway debut in Coram Boy and later went on to play Sky in Mamma Mia!. He also appeared in the New Jersey world premiere of Be More Chill, heading Off-Broadway this summer.
Additional casting will be announced at a later date. Joining the company onstage will be the title character: a 20-foot high, 2,000-pound gorilla, crafted by designer Sonny Tilders and operated by a team of artists, puppeteers, and technicians.
