Producer Harvey Weinstein revealed the new star of his next Broadway project, which is expected to bow in New York next season.
Hough, who will star as song and dance man Don Lockwood, became a household name with Dancing With the Stars.
He previously starred for Weinstein in the New York City Spring Spectacular at Radio City last season. A highlight of that production was a musical segment for Hough and fellow cast members, in which they tapped and splashed their way through “Singin’ in the Rain” as water poured over the Radio City stage.
His casting was announced during the Weinstein Company's pre-Oscar dinner, where the triple-threat performed two songs from the musical, including “Moses Supposes” and “Singin’ In the Rain,” according to EOnline.
For all the Broadway queens out there. #derekhough #singinintherain
Posted by Marc Malkin on Sunday, February 28, 2016
This new Broadway production of the classic film musical premiered in Paris last spring at the Théâtre du Châtelet, where Broadway’s current An American In Paris also had its pre-Broadway world premiere.
Hough was not involved in the Paris premiere. Representatives for the New York production previously told Playbill.com that the Broadway cast will be a combination of new and existing cast members from the Châtelet staging.
Singin’ in the Rain is directed by Robert Carsen and features choreography by Stephen Mear and costumes by Tony winner Anthony Powell.
Like An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain originated as a 1950s film produced by the legendary Arthur Freed unit at MGM studios. Betty Comden and Adolph Green adapted their Singin' in the Rain film script to the stage. Directed and choreographed by Twyla Tharp, the 1985 Broadway production ran 367 performances. Singin' in the Rain has songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed.
Théâtre du Châtelet will partner with Weinstein Live Entertainment on the Broadway transfer.
“Théâtre du Châtelet’s productions have long been internationally recognized for their high quality and progressive interpretations,” Weinstein said in a previous statement announcing the Broadway revival. “This production is simply spectacular—it at last does justice to one of America’s greatest films. Robert Carsen has made a remarkable footprint on American musical theater for international audiences. I’m delighted to be working with Jean-Luc Choplin and Robert Carsen in bringing this phenomenal production to Broadway and the world.”
Here's a look at the Paris production.