The beloved romantic comedy is being developed as a Broadway musical by director Jon M. Chu, who helmed the 2018 film of the same name. “Crazy Rich Asians” will mark the Broadway debut of Chu, who has become Hollywood’s go-to filmmaker to bring stage shows to the big screen. He’s currently working on Universal’s two-part “Wicked” adaptation and previously directed the cinematic version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.”
A press release describes “Crazy Rich Asians” as “a fun, engaging and hilarious look at what can happen when young love collides with old money.” Like the movie, the musical is based on Kevin Kwan’s book about a Chinese American professor named Rachel, who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick and finds out that his family is crazy rich.
The 2019 film, starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding and Michelle Yeoh, topped the box office for three weeks and eventually grossed $239 million globally. A sequel, based on the follow-up novel “China Rich Girlfriend,” has been in development for five years.
The musical adaptation will feature a book by Leah Nanako Winkler, music by Helen Park and lyrics by Amanda Green and Tat Tong.
“Crazy Rich Asians” is one of several blockbusters — including “La La Land” and “The Devil Wears Prada” — that’s turning into a live musical. Stage versions of the 1985 sci-fi comedy “Back to the Future,” 2004’s romance drama “The Notebook” and 2011’s circus-inspired “Water for Elephants” are currently playing on Broadway.
Spoilers for those that haven’t seen the film. I really wished the film ended on a down beat note, just after the Mahjong game, with her winning and it ending with that stunning speech about how every time she looks at him, she’ll know he’s sad. The film worked brilliantly for me up till the tacky happy ending on the aircraft. Of course that’s not how Hollywood works.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
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rosscoe(au) said: "Spoilers for those that haven’t seen the film. I really wished the film ended on a down beat note, just after the Mahjong game, with her winning and it ending with that stunning speech about how every time she looks at him, she’ll know he’s sad. The film worked brilliantly for me up till the tacky happy ending on the aircraft. Of course that’s not how Hollywood works."
With how creatively corrupt cinema has become since the pandemic, I’ve become less of a sucker for happy endings than I was before.
rosscoe(au) said: "Spoilers for those that haven’t seen the film. I really wished the film ended on a down beat note, just after the Mahjong game, with her winning and it ending with that stunning speech about how every time she looks at him, she’ll know he’s sad. The film worked brilliantly for me up till the tacky happy ending on the aircraft. Of course that’s not how Hollywood works."
I remember rolling my eyes at the ending change but knowing they did it just incase a sequel never came. Since a sequel is never happening it seems like a smarter idea every day.
I will say the books are sharper than the movie and I hope the tone skews closer.
Also keep in mind they’re def at the beginning writing stage. You’re looking at a 7-10 year development process until we see this in NYC (the earliest). Any actor you’re mentioning is going to be a decade older when it comes in.
I wonder how "authentic" they'd go in casting. I doubt they'd fully go the Here Lies Love route where the entire cast is of a certain descent, but I'm curious if they would try to find Singaporean/Chinese actors specifically for the lead roles.
chrishuyen said: "I wonder how "authentic" they'd go in casting. I doubt they'd fully go the Here Lies Love route where the entire cast is of a certain descent, but I'm curious if they would try to find Singaporean/Chinese actors specifically for the lead roles."
While this may not reflect his current plans, this is what Chu had to say about a potential musical adaptation back in 2018:
"Maybe we combine a Chinese singer with an Asian-American composer to put it together,” he said. “We have a big band - the band is on the stage itself so you can experience it like you’re at a party. We would have the best fashion. Jason Wu comes in and designs everything. You make an experience for the audience. It would be ridiculous."
It’s being developed as a stage musical. You can’t rush a stage musical regardless of the talent behind it or the money. At least 3 readings, 2 workshops and at least one out of town = a glacial pace.
a good example of a rushed musical is Devil Wears Prada- there’s just no way to rush the process.