Drew & Dane Productions has announced it will lead the development of Mr. Holland’s Opus, the musical adaptation of the 1995 Oscar-nominated film that premiered in 2022 at the Ogunquit Playhouse.

With a book and lyrics by Tony winner BD Wong (M. Butterfly, Law & Order: SVU) and music by Wayne Barker (Peter and the Starcatcher, Dame Edna: Back with a Vengeance), Mr. Holland’s Opus was originally commissioned by the Ogunquit in 2017. After an industry presentation in 2018 and a delay due to the pandemic, Ogunquit presented the musical’s world premiere in summer 2022, directed by Wong. 

Based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film written by Patrick Sheane Duncan and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Mr. Holland's Opus follows a frustrated composer who finds purpose as a beloved and inspirational school music teacher.

“We are delighted to be bringing this critically important story forward and collaborating with the wonderful and incredibly talented BD Wong and Wayne Barker,” said Drew Desky and Dane Levens of Drew & Dane Productions in a statement. “The original film is beloved by so many people, and we need this show now more than ever to remind us of the power of music, the remarkable importance of teachers and arts education, the value of mentorship and ‘paying it forward’, and the urgency of communicating beyond barriers.”

“The original film, which passionately advocated for arts education to its moviegoing audience, is celebrating its 30th anniversary,” added Wong and Barker. “This might be surprising to those who assume we’re easily able to ‘move on’ from certain struggles. Those who care deeply about the world we bring our younger generation into have always argued that including the arts ensures them a well-rounded curriculum. Let’s face it; they’ll probably always have to. Our Mr. Holland’s Opus is a musical comedy in which arts education and mentorship are front and center. We feel lucky to be working with Drew & Dane to revive one of the most moving movies ever, about a teacher and the many students he creatively inspires, at the precise moment we’re hungering for these themes. Anyone who works on Broadway or who simply buys Broadway tickets understands that arts education is a fundamental foundation of civilization. In this singular time, we’re proud to bring this show to the generation we’re all fighting for, keeping this vital conversation alive by reminding us of that crucial time in our childhood when we were forever changed by both the arts and teachers. Just like the movie, it makes us all ask and share the simple yet powerful question, ‘Who was your Mr. Holland?’

On Broadway, Drew & Dane is currently producing the new musical Just in Time as well as the Tony-nominated revival of Gypsy starring Audra McDonald. Drew & Dane is also leading Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors, which was staged at the Menier Chocolate Factory this spring after having led the New York premiere at New World Stages in 2023.

For more information visit MrHollandsOpusMusical.com.