Stop the presses, folks — it’s true! Hercules is going to be adapted for the stage in New York City! The Public Theater’s musical adaptation will be having a short off-Broadway run this summer at the Delacorte Theater, which is super appropriate since it’s an open-air theater (I’m looking at you, ancient Greek history buffs!) Performances run August 31 through September 8.
All the classic Alan Menken/David Zippel hits from the movie will return (and who isn’t excited to hear a live, staged version of ‘I Won’t Say I’m in Love’? because I know I am…), along with some new songs and an adapted book by Kristoffer Diaz, who is a Pulitzer Prize finalist! Lear deBessonet will be directing the Public Works presentation, and choreography will be done by Chase Brock.
There’s not a lot known about the production as of now, only that a reading is set to take place this April, and the role of Hercules will be played by an African American actor. There are no names out there just yet, but it’s fun to daydream about who could be featured in this production! It might be a wild one, but I’d love to see Okieriete Onaodowan, as he already played one Hercules (Mulligan, in Hamilton), so why not play this one either, right?
Who do you think could fill those gladiator sandals? Leave a comment below or tweet us @BoardwalkTimes on Twitter!
Iris Nijholt is a Columnist for the Boardwalk Times
