‘Muriel’s Wedding’ is set to become the latest screen hit to make its way to the stage, with a stage musical adaptation to debut in December.
The original film charmed cinema fans and made a star of Toni Collette when it appeared in 1994, and the good news is that the new show promises to have the same ABBA hits that were included on screen.
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Toni Collette starred as Muriel in the original film
Miramax
The world premiere of the new show will take place on 6 November in Sydney, following the story of Muriel Hislop, a young girl with two simple obsessions - the songs of ABBA, and becoming the perfect bride (despite not having a groom or in fact a boyfriend).
The film’s writer and director PJ Hogan will be writing the stage script, set for a 21st century update. Muriel’s dream will now include winning herself a million Twitter followers, by hook or by crook.
Simon Phillips, who previously directed the stage version of ‘Priscilla’ will be helming the show, set for an initial run of two months in Sydney, before its inevitable transfer to nearer shores.
Broadway Musicals Based On Movies
'Ghost'(01 of08)
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"Ghost," based off the 1990 film starring Demi Moore and the late Patrick Swayze, follows a young couple -- Sam and Molly -- who get mugged while walking home to their New York apartment one night. Sam is murdered and becomes trapped in this world as a ghost, unable to leave Molly, who he learns is in grave danger.
'Newsies'(02 of08)
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"Newsies," the stage adaptation of the popular 1992 Disney movie, recently opened on Broadway to rave reviews. The musical follows Jack Kelly (played by Christian Bale in the film), a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged "newsies," who dreams of a better life away from the mean streets of New York City. They just want to seize the day. But he has to deal with publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst first. Can you say newsboy strike?
'Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark(03 of08)
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Drawing from over 40 years of Marvel comic books -- and more than a few blockbuster movies -- for inspiration, "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" spins a new take on the troubles of Peter Parker.
'Sister Act'(04 of08)
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Whoopi Goldberg starred in "Sister Act" in 1992 and the 1993 sequel, " Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit." Now, Raven-Symone plays disco diva Deloris Van Cartier in the musical adaptation of the film, which follows a pop star who disguises herself as a nun.
'The Lion King'(05 of08)
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"The Lion King," based off the Disney animated feature, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, was an instant success when it opened on Broadway in 1997. The Disney production won six Tonys, and it's now the highest grossing musical on Broadway.
'The Phantom of the Opera'(06 of08)
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The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical -- based on the French novel "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra" by Gaston Leroux -- was loosely inspired by the 1925 Lon Chaney film, as well as the 1943 Claude Rains movie version of Leroux's book. The musical opened in the West End in 1986 and on Broadway in 1988. It is the longest-running musical -- and the second highest-grossing musical -- in Broadway history. It also received another big screen adaptation in 2004.
'Priscilla Queen of the Desert'(07 of08)
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Based off 1994's "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," the musical tells the story of Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. It opened on Broadway in 2011.
'Mary Poppins'(08 of08)
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Everyone's favorite nanny, "Mary Poppins," made her Broadway debut in 2006. The musical is based off the 1964 Disney musical of the same name. It also took home a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design.