Musical adaptations of Heathers and Bull Durham to bring corn nuts and ladies underwear to the stage

By Marah Eakin  |  December 11, 2013 | 9:00pm
Aux Features Film
Musical adaptations of Heathers and Bull Durham to bring corn nuts and ladies underwear to the stage

Musical adaptations of both Heathers and Bull Durham are headed for the stage—because nothing says commercial success like an awkward interpretation of a much-beloved existing property. Heathers: The Musical will make its off-Broadway debut next spring after a successful preview run at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles. The adaptation of the 1988 film was written by Legally Blonde scribe Laurence O’Keefe and Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical author Kevin Murphy. Reefer Madness’ Andy Fickman directs, and choreography comes courtesy of Marguerite Derricks, who worked on both Behind The Candleabra and Bunheads—so you know she’s good. Songs in the adaptation include “Dead Gay Son” and “Kindergarten Boyfriend.”

The stage adaptation of Bull Durham is still in its early stages of development, though it will premiere at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta next September. And whileAtlanta might not seem like the logical first step on the road to Broadway, the adaptation already has impressive minds behind it like director Kip Fagan, who helmed the Jesse Eisenberg-scripted The Revisionist with Vanessa Redgrave for Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. And Bull Durham's book will be written by Ron Shelton, who also wrote and directed the film's Oscar-nominated screenplay, and whose time as a Minor League Baseball player inspired the whole shebang. Shelton has also written and directed Blaze, White Men Can’t Jump, Tin Cup, and Bad Boys II.

Bull Durham will be scored by Susan Werner, and will feature choreography by Emmy winner Joshua Bergasse, scenic design by Tony winner Derek McLane, and costume design by Tony nominee Toni Leslie James. No word yet on who’ll play “Crash” Davis or Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh.

 
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