10 Things I Hate About You Musical Set for Broadway

The popular 1999 teen romantic comedy film, '10 Things I Hate About You,' is being adapted into a Broadway musical, with its premiere slated for exactly one year from the announcement. The production has confirmed the involvement of Lena Dunham, known for her work on the television series 'Girls,' as a writer, and Carly Rae Jepsen, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, as a composer. The musical aims to capture the spirit of the original film, which starred Julia Stiles as the fiercely independent Kat Stratford and Heath Ledger as the charming Patrick Verona. The film itself was inspired by William Shakespeare's play 'The Taming of the Shrew,' transplanting the classic story to a modern American high school setting. The musical's creative team also includes music supervision by Will Van Dyke, who has previously worked on Broadway productions such as 'Waitress' and 'Kinky Boots.' The book for the musical will be penned by Dan E. Gordon, who also wrote the screenplay for the original film. The announcement was made on April 11, 2024, indicating a target opening date of April 11, 2025. While Dunham and Jepsen are attached to the project, the full cast, including the actors who will portray Kat and Patrick, has not yet been revealed. The musical's development marks a significant step in bringing the beloved story to the live stage, following a trend of film-to-musical adaptations that have found success on Broadway. The original film's enduring popularity, often cited for its witty dialogue and memorable characters, provides a strong foundation for the stage production. The involvement of established figures like Dunham and Jepsen suggests a high level of creative ambition for the project. Further details regarding the production's director, choreographer, and specific theatre venue are expected to be announced in the coming months as the creative team works towards the 2025 opening. The musical's success will likely depend on its ability to translate the film's unique blend of humor, romance, and sharp social commentary for a live audience, while also appealing to fans of the original movie and new theatergoers alike. The creative team's experience in both television and music industries suggests a potentially innovative approach to the musical's score and narrative structure. The production is being developed by a team of producers that includes Kevin McCollum, who has a history of producing successful Broadway musicals such as 'Rent' and 'In the Heights.' This collaboration between a screenwriter, a pop music icon, and experienced Broadway producers signals a significant undertaking to reimagine the iconic story for a new medium. The anticipation for the musical is already building, with fans of the film and musical theater enthusiasts alike eager to see how the beloved characters and plot points will be brought to life on stage.