Steven Spielberg could be directing his first stage musical in NYC…
E.T. cellphone Broadway?
Oscar-winner Steven Spielberg could soon be directing a stage present — his first — right here in New York, sources told The Post.
A new musical placed on by the Public Theater, the mysterious work is said to be presently being written by Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner.
I hope it’s “Jaws!”.
The acclaimed trio makes for a high-brow Venn diagram of collaborators.
Kushner, the celebrated “Angels in America” playwright, penned the Spielberg movies “Munich,” “Lincoln,” “West Side Story” and “The Fabelmans” — all Best Picture Oscar nominees (though just one hit).
And, combining forces with “Kimberly Akimbo” composer Tesori, Kushner wrote the e-book and co-wrote the lyrics of the 2003 musical “Caroline, Or Change.” She was also the supervising vocal producer on Spielberg’s “West Side.”
Details of their new project are scant. Tesori has handled an advanced and secretive household before in Best Musical Tony winner “Fun Home.” Maybe this will be “The Fabelmans — On Ice!”.
Or “Disclosure Day!” that includes a line of tap-dancing aliens shuffling off to Jupiter.
I collect — and if Spielberg and Kushner’s display collabs are any indication — it’s more “Caroline” than “Saving Private Ryan.”
A spokesperson for the Public Theater had no remark.
Director Steven Spielberg could be doing his first-ever stage present in NYC. Getty Images
What is understood is that the present is supposed to be timed to outgoing Public creative director Oskar Eustis’ farewell, and would open someday in 2027-2028, his final season.
Sixty-eight-year-old Eustis, who just lately told the New York Times, “I think the American nonprofit theater movement is over,” clearly needs to greet the apocalypse with a bang.
During his 21 years in the top job, his theater’s exhibits “Hamilton,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Here Lies Love,” “Suffs” and lots more have made the leap to Broadway — one a lot more efficiently than the others. He used to get flack for his obvious obsession with it. Spielberg’s present also certainly would switch uptown, too.
How could they resist? This would be the extraordinarily uncommon circumstance the place the director’s identify alone has the potential to promote some tickets. But you never know. When major pop stars write musicals, for instance, their involvement doesn’t always budge the box workplace. Only high quality and buzz do.
Tony Kushner is said to be writing the new musical. Variety through Getty Images
Strangely, well-known filmmakers giving the stage a go is a rising development.
Historically it flowed in the other way: theater folks headed to Hollywood. Think playwright and director Martin McDonagh, whose Oscar hopeful “Wild Horse Nine” hits theaters this weekend. Sam Mendes, Mike Nichols, Bob Fosse and Orson Welles are others.
But it was just lately announced that cinephile favourite Quentin Tarantino will also make his theater directing debut next February in London with a new swashbuckling play he’s written called “The Poppinjay Cavalier” starring Sacha Baron Cohen. Sadly, it’s not “Inglourious Bastards: A Musical Fable.”
The Public would truly make a straightforward commute for 79-year-old Spielberg. Earlier this 12 months, he and spouse Kate Capshaw moved from LA to Manhattan. And his Amblin Entertainment opened an workplace in New York.
Jeanine Tesori (“Kimberly Akimbo”) is composing the music. Getty Images
And there have been hints of Spielberg’s love of musicals sprinkled throughout his storied profession. Obviously, there was the movie adaptation of “West Side Story.” But nerds will also recall he also had “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” open with a Mandarin-language rendition of “Anything Goes.”
Nevertheless it’s a dangerous transfer. Spielberg is famend for his genius at shifting round a digital camera. Visually, every one in all his movies is a surprise. But in the theater, we’re the digital camera. And we sit still until intermission. It’s a very different skill.
But I certain stay up for Tesori’s uptempo ballad “It’s A Dinosaur!” from “Jurassic Park the Musical.”
We offer you the latest trending subjects on C-lebrity. Get the best latest Entertainment news and content on our web site daily.