Marc Acito, who wrote the book to the Broadway musical Allegiance, is at work on his next project featuring an all-Asian cast—a catalogue musical featuring the songs of popular Taiwanese musician Jay Chou.
“Both my big projects this year are catalogue musicals,” Acito said by phone from Goodspeed Musicals, where he is developing the new Judy Garland musical Chasing Rainbows. “This one is using the music of Jay Chou, who is—no exaggeration—the Chinese Justin Timberlake.”
In the style of Mamma Mia!, Acito is shaping a story around Chou’s music.
With Broadway Asia, Acito is developing the new work with director John Rando (On the Town, Urinetown) and choreographer Zach Woodlee (Grease: Live, Glee). Acito is writing the script in English, but it will then be translated to Mandarin Chinese, which is spoken in and around Beijing.
The musical is planned to open in Beijing in December.
Acito could not speak on more of the project’s details, including its December timeline, cast, plot or venue.
