Broadway NewsKing Kong Sets Broadway Opening Night; Tickets Now on SaleAfter conquering Australia, the mega-musical will make its New York debut in October 2018 at the Broadway Theatre.
By
Adam Hetrick
November 08, 2017
Esther Hannaford in the Australian production of King KongJeff Busby
The anticipated stage musical adaptation of King Kong—written by Jack Thorne with a score by Marius de Vries and songs by Eddie Perfect—will officially open November 8, 2018, at the Broadway Theatre. Previews are set to begin October 5.
The production, which features a one-ton, six-meter-tall silverback gorilla puppet as its star, arrives on Broadway following a 2013 Melbourne world premiere.
An all-new creative team has been assembled to bring King Kong to Broadway, including Olivier Award-winning book writer Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Let the Right One In), Olivier Award-winning director-choreographer Drew McOnie (Strictly Ballroom, In the Heights), and Australian songwriter Perfect, who is also adapting Beetlejuice for Broadway. Perfect joins the show’s original composer and arranger de Vries (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet).
The creative team will also include Peter England (set design), Sonny Tilders (creature design), Roger Kirk (costume design), Peter Mumford (lighting design), Peter Hylenski (sound design), and Gavin Robins (aerial and King Kong movement director).
Producer CarmenPavlovic said in a statement, “I am delighted with the creative team that has been assembled for the Broadway production of King Kong. I believe that Drew McOnie and Jack Thorne will bring an exciting new dimension to Kong’s story, propelled by the score and songs written by Marius de Vries and Eddie Perfect along with the most magnificent leading man to ever appear in a Broadway show!”
Producer RoyFurman added, “KingKong is a quintessential New York story, known and beloved around the world. Our team is creating a uniquely theatrical experience that we hope will enthrall audiences, while delighting them with its heartfelt story telling.”
Casting has not been announced.
KingKong is authorized by the Merian C. Cooper Estate.
The play comes on the heels of a broader cultural conversation about Dahl's work and the prejudice that was embedded in many of his most beloved stories.
