The Chicago Tribune is reporting that award-winning Broadway director Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, Kinky Boots) is lined up to direct the West End production of new musical The Devil Wears Prada.
This follows last year’s Chicago pre-Broadway try-out for the show, which was directed by Anna D. Shapiro – former artistic director of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater. That production didn’t get great reviews, and the general consensus was it needed lots of work before Broadway.
The Devil Wears Prada has amazing credentials – including music by Oscar winner Elton John, lyrics by singer-songwriter Shaina Taub, and a book by Kate Wetherhead.
The Chicago try-out had music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo, choreography by James Alsop, costume design by Arianne Phillips, scenic and media design by Christine Jones and Brett Banakis, lighting design by Paule Constable, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, and orchestrations by Giles Martin.
Whilst the deal with Mitchell is said to be “not yet done” we assume it is looking likely. Which would be amazing to get The Devil Wears Prada The Musical to London.
Other Jerry Mitchell news today is that he is set to direct the world premiere of BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical in Chicago.
The new show will play 6 weeks from 19 November to 31 December 2023 at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago.
This new show about the Queen of the Animated Screen boasts music by multiple Grammy Award-winning composer David Foster (“I Have Nothing,” “After The Love Is Gone,” “The Prayer”), lyrics by Tony Award-nominated lyricist Susan Birkenhead (Working, Jelly’s Last Jam), and a book by Tony Award-winning writer Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone, The Prom).
Director Jerry Mitchell said in a press statement:
“Creating a NEW Broadway musical is such a gift. It is a special joy to be working on BOOP! in Chicago, so close to my hometown, at the very theatre where I first fell in LOVE with musicals when I saw A CHORUS LINE there back in 1978. David Foster and Susan Birkenhead have created a first-class score to frame Bob Martin’s touching tale about an ICON, Betty Boop and her indomitable spirit in this Jazz Hot love story. BOOP! is for everybody. I promise the entire family will be singing and dancing as they walk up the aisle. BOOP! is a musical for our time.”
More about The Devil Wears Prada The Musical tickets in London
