The new movie musical, which is written and directed by Whiplash’s Damien Chazelle, pays tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals and stars Emma Stone (Cabaret), Ryan Gosling, John Legend and J. K. Simmons (winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in Whiplash).

Screenings are scheduled for September 2 at 9:15 PM and 10:15 PM, September 3 at 6:30 PM and September 4 at 2:30 PM. Chazelle, Stone and Leo Matsuda are expected to attend the festival.

The film has a score of songs co-written by Justin Hurwitz and the Tony-nominated team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (A Christmas Story, Dogfight), whose Dear Evan Hansen is scheduled to open on Broadway this season.

The Verdict: See How Critics Reviewed New Film Musical La La Land at the Venice Festival

La La Land is described as “a modern take on the classic Hollywood romance, which is heightened by spectacular song-and-dance numbers, as two dreamers struggle to make ends meet while they pursue their passions in a city known for destroying hopes and breaking hearts. Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a dedicated jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail piano gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.”

La La Land is produced by Lionsgate in partnership with Black Label Media, Gilbert Films, Impostor Pictures and Marc Platt Productions. The film will be distributed in the USA by Lionsgate, premiering December 16.