The show will feature original music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and his songwriting partner Jim Vallance. The script was written by Garry Marshall and the film's screenwriter J.F. Lawton, with Jerry Mitchell directing and choreographing.
Marshall spoke about the project a few years ago, saying, "It's a year away but Disney's behind it. After 24 years! In the old days nobody figured that a movie could become a play, so in the '80s they gave writers theatrical rights, a piece, you can't get near that. J.F. Lawton owns half and Disney owns half. He wanted to write an opera where everybody dies and Disney wanted to make the Julia Roberts part a model… Not a lady of the night. These Disney people said to me, ‘We cannot put our label on a show about a prostitute. But you can, so your name will be on as one of the producers. We would like to make the money.' We have a good relationship. [Disney Theatrical Group chief] Tom Schumacher has been very, very supportive and helpful. We've had a couple of little readings of it with temporary music, and it's not bad. It's still a darn good story."
Producer Paula Wagner said, "Our director Jerry Mitchell has expanded the narrative and storytelling of this acclaimed romantic comedy. He brings his unique perspective to the story which illuminates the characters and provides a new and satisfying emotional resonance. And finally we found our Vivian and Edward in the gorgeous, triple-threat, Samantha Barks, and one of Broadway's most dashing and talented leading men, Tony and Grammy Award winner Steve Kazee."
The production is set to premiere in the fall of 2018.
