Crazy Rich Asians Musical Now in Production
The critically acclaimed box-office hit romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians is set to come to the stage in a brand new musical adaptation.
On April 17, Playbill announced that a stage musical adaptation of the 2018 rom-com Crazy Rich Asians is under development. Jon M. Chu, director of the film, will make his stage directorial debut with the project. Based on the novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians centers on Chinese-American professor Rachel Chu, who travels to Singapore to visit her boyfriend, Nick. To her surprise, he comes from one of the wealthiest families in the country.
The musical will feature an original score from Tony-nominated composer Helen Park, who composed the music and lyrics for the original Broadway show KPOP, which premiered in November 2022. Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! writer Leah Nanako Winkler will pen the book, and Tony-nominated songwriter Amanda Green and Singaporian lyricist Tat Tong will provide the lyrics to Park’s score.
Casting has yet to be announced, but in 2023, Constance Wu, who originated the role of Rachel in the film, portrayed Audrey in the long-running off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horror opposite Corbin Bleu. Upon its release in 2018, Crazy Rich Asians was the first modern Hollywood film to feature an all-Asian cast in 25 years. The film was a commercial success, garnering $239 million globally on a budget of $30 million.
just saw constance wu in little shop of horrors pic.twitter.com/NN5KHRlPZv
— harry‼️ (@hls427) January 13, 2024
Chu is no stranger to taking on musical endeavors. He directed two Justin Bieber concert films, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011) and Justin Beiber’s Believe (2013). He was also at the helm of two Step Up films and, more recently, the film adaptation of Lin Manuel-Miranda’s musical, In the Heights (2021). Chu’s latest project, Wicked (Part One), will be released in November and will star Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo and two-time Grammy winner Ariana Grande.
Imagine being loved by these two. The feeling is actually beyond description… but then again #SophyHolland did a pretty good job capturing this moment between us while shooting their @VanityFair spread 🙂
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) March 21, 2024
it is the honor of my life to be introducing the world to #CynthiaErivo… pic.twitter.com/KuWKtmOkk7
Chu is also slated to direct an adaption of Dr. Suess’ Oh The Places You’ll Go! and direct and co-produce a film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Crazy Rich Asians is available to stream on Hulu and rent on Amazon Prime Video. You can view the trailer below.
Isaiah is an entertainment writer for Glitter Magazine with a focus on music and film stories. He enjoys the aforementioned topics as well as performing, yoga, and fashion.
