Legendary disco and music icon Nile Rodgers from Chic is working on a major new show.
Rodgers is busy helping to write a new stage musical that adapts classic 1980 film The Blues Brothers.
The new show, which has its eyes on Broadway and then a West End run, will feature music from the hit film, and original numbers.
As co-founder of Chic in the late 70s, Nile Rodgers created disco hits such as Le Freak and Good Times. And as a producer, he has worked with everyone from David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran, Diana Ross, INXS, and Grace Jones; and in recent years, artists such as Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Beyoncé.
A source involved in the project told The Sun newspaper that, “Nile loves the film and jumped at the chance to get on board. The whole process is still in the very early stages so it won’t be opening for a while but he has officially signed on to the project. The current focus is to get a successful run on Broadway but once that is complete, the dream is to bring it to London’s West End.”
Classic comedy movie The Blues Brothers was released in 1980 starring John Belushi as Jake and Dan Aykroyd as Elwood, plus cameos from music legends including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and James Brown.
In the movie, Jake Blues is fresh out of prison and reconnects with his brother Elwood. Together they decide to take on a mission close to their hearts: the orphanage where they were raised is at risk of shutting down due to unpaid taxes, and they need $5,000 to save it. Convinced the best way to raise the cash is by reuniting their old band, the brothers set off on a wild journey to track down their former bandmates. As they hustle for gigs, their antics attract the attention of the police and a growing list of enemies, turning their noble quest into a chaotic race against time.
The soundtrack of The Blues Brothers features a heady mix of blues, soul, and rock classics, including She Caught the Katy, Peter Gunn Theme, Gimme Some Lovin’, Shake a Tail Feather, Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, The Old Landmark, and Aretha Franklin’s powerhouse performance of Think. The film also includes the Theme from Rawhide, Cab Calloway’s iconic Minnie the Moocher, blues anthem Sweet Home Chicago, and Jailhouse Rock.
Stage adaptations of films are incredibly popular on Broadway and in the West End. A few months ago the West End saw the opening of The Devil Wears Prada The Musical starring Vanessa Williams, with music by Elton John.
Back to the Future The Musical announced yesterday that it is extending its run in the West End into 2026.
Check out more film-to-stage musicals and plays in London.
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