| The Devil Wears Prada | |
|---|---|
| A New Musical | |
 West End Promotional Poster | |
| Music | Elton John |
| Lyrics | Shaina Taub |
| Book | Kate Wetherhead |
| Basis | |
| Premiere | July 19, 2022: James M. Nederlander Theatre, Chicago |
| Productions | 2022 Chicago |
The Devil Wears Prada is a musical based on the novel and film of the same name, with music by Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and a book by Kate Wetherhead.
In 2015, it was reported that Broadway producer Kevin McCollum had signed a deal two years earlier with Fox to develop some of the films from its back catalog into musicals for the stage. Two he expressed particular interest in were Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and The Devil Wears Prada. Early in 2017, McCollum announced that in partnership with Fox Stage Productions, he was developing a musical version of The Devil Wears Prada (based on both the film and the book). Elton John and Shaina Taub would be writing the score and lyrics for the project with playwright Paul Rudnick, who had written some early scenes for the screenplay, [1] writing the book and lyrics. McCollum did not say when he expected it to premiere but hoped it would eventually play on Broadway. [2]
In July 2019, the show held its first industry-only presentation of the initial reading for the show. It featured Emily Skinner as Miranda, Krystina Alabado as Andy, Heléne Yorke as Emily and Mario Cantone as Nigel. [3] There had been no announcement about future workshops or tryouts before the anticipated Broadway run. With Daniel Hoyos leading the company management team with Alexa BIshop and Bella Cordova. [4]
In September 2019, a premiere run was announced for July and August 2020 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago. According to producer Kevin McCollum, it was important to director Anna D. Shapiro, artistic director of the Steppenwolf Theater Company, also located in Chicago, to have the show premiere there. [5]
In December 2019, the Chicago production was postponed for a year to start in July 2021, to allow the creative team more time to work on the show. [6] Beth Leavel was announced to play the role of Miranda Priestly, with Taylor Iman Jones in the role of Andy Sachs. In January 2021, producers announced that the show would be delayed another year to July 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic. [7]
The Chicago production played its first preview performance on July 19, 2022, and played a limited run through August 21. The run was billed as pre-Broadway and the cast included the previously announced Jones and Leavel, alongside Javier Muñoz as Nigel Owens, Christiana Cole as Lauren, Megan Masako Haley as Emily Charlton, Tiffany Mann as Kayla, and Michael Tacconi as Nate Angstrom. [8] In a September 2022 interview with Zoe Ball, Sir Elton John stated the show was not ready for subsequent stagings, adding "It'll be ready in about another year." [9]
On 13 September 2023, it was announced that the musical will have its UK premiere at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth in July 2024 before opening at the Dominion Theatre in London's West End in October 2024. It will be a new production directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell with set design by Tim Hatley, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Bruno Poet, sound design by Gareth Owen and casting by Jill Green CDG. Further details and casting is to be announced. [10]
| Character | Chicago |
|---|---|
| 2022 | |
| Andy Sachs | Taylor Iman Jones |
| Miranda Priestly | Beth Leavel |
| Nigel Owens | Javier Muñoz |
| Emily Charlton | Megan Masako Haley |
| Lauren | Christiana Cole |
| Kayla | Tiffany Mann |
| Nate Angstrom | Michael Tacconi |
| Christian Thompson | Christian Thompson |
The production officially opened August 8 and received universally poor reviews. In the New York Post , Johnny Oleksinski said the show was "alarmingly un-fun and sluggish". Adding "Every song is lousy, and there is nothing here worth fixing." [11]
The Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones lamented that the show needed "the addition of more wit and irreverence to Wetherhead’s book and Shaina Taub’s lyrics." He also felt that Arianne Phillips' costumes lacked the cutting-edge of true fashion house designs, an idea shared by Steven Oxman of Variety . [12] [13]
Reviewers in The Washington Post , The New York Times and BroadwayWorld all agreed that the story had its moments, but overall lack the bite of the novel or film. [14] [15] [16]
The Devil Wears Prada is a 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger about a young woman who is hired as a personal assistant to a powerful fashion magazine editor, a job that becomes nightmarish as she struggles to keep up with her boss's grueling schedule and demeaning demands. It spent six months on the New York Times bestseller list and became the basis for the 2006 film of the same name, starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt. The novel is considered by many to be an example of the "chick lit" genre.
Disney Theatrical Productions Limited (DTP), also known as Disney on Broadway, is the stageplay and musical production company of the Disney Theatrical Group, a subsidiary of Disney Entertainment, a major division and business unit of The Walt Disney Company.
The Devil Wears Prada is a 2006 American comedy-drama film directed by David Frankel and produced by Wendy Finerman. The screenplay, written by Aline Brosh McKenna, is based on the 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger. The film stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci.
John Dossett is an American actor and singer.
Beth Leavel is an American stage and screen actress and singer.
Wade McCollum is an American film actor, stage actor and composer/musician.
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Emily Skinner, also known as Emily Scott Skinner, is a Tony-nominated American actress and singer. She has played leading roles in 10 Broadway productions including New York, New York, Prince of Broadway, The Cher Show, Side Show, Jekyll & Hyde, James Joyce's The Dead, The Full Monty, Dinner at Eight, Billy Elliot, as well as the Actor's Fund Broadway concerts of Dreamgirls and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She has sung on concert stages around the world and on numerous recordings.
Kevin McCollum is an American theatrical booking executive and producer of musical theater and plays, many on Broadway. During a producing career spanning over twenty-five years, McCollum has received three Tony Awards for Best Musical for In the Heights, Avenue Q, and Rent.
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Buena Vista Theatrical Group Ltd., doing business as the Disney Theatrical Group, is the live show, stageplay and musical production arm of The Walt Disney Company. The company is led by Thomas Schumacher, Anne Quart, and Andrew Flatt, and is a division of Walt Disney Studios, forming a part of Disney Entertainment, one of the three major business segments of The Walt Disney Company.
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Kate Wetherhead is an American actress, writer and director known for her work on Submissions Only,Legally Blonde, and the Jack and Louisa book series.
Shaina Taub is an American singer, composer and musician.
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