An Adam Sandler inspired Musical

[Your Mom]

Broadway Melody for "Wedding Singer"

Friday April 15 7:19 PM ET

Is Julia Guglia the next Tracy Turnblad?

The oddly monikered character, originated by Drew Barrymore opposite Adam Sandler in 1998's The Wedding Singer, is shaping up to be a hot draw on Broadway next season.

New Line Cinema, the studio behind the romantic comedy, is teaming up with Margo Lion, Tony-winning producer of the hit Broadway adaptation of Hairspray, to launch a musical stage version of The Wedding Singer.

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The stage production will hold its world premiere at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre on Jan. 31, 2006. After a three-week warm-up run, the show is slated to begin previews on Broadway in March 2006 followed by an April opening.

"I am thrilled to be returning to Seattle with a new Broadway show," said Lion in a statement. "Our experience with Hairspray convinced me that there is no better venue to get it right than the 5th Avenue Theatre."

The Wedding Singer musical will stick to the plot of the PG-13 film, which followed aspiring singer-songwriter Robbie Hart, who lives in his grandmother's basement in New Jersey, on a quest to get married.

Realizing that he'll never attain his musical dreams, Robbie begins looking for the right woman to settle down with. But when he's stood up at the altar by his fiancé, he takes his bitterness out on guests at wedding receptions and bar mitzvahs via awful renditions of such schmaltzy '80s hits as the J. Geils Band's "Love Stinks."

But Robbie's life changes when he falls for Julia, who's engaged to marry a wealthy Wall Street junk broker named Glenn Guglia (the middle 'g' is silent). With a little help from Lady Luck and even Billy Idol, our mullet-headed hero ends up winning her heart.

Aside from Sandler's bad hair, the film was notable for its '80s soundtrack, featuring tunes by the likes of Madonna, David Bowie, the Cure, Journey, The Psychedelic Furs and Culture Club.

The stage version will feature a new score. Music will be composed by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, with a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, Sandler's longtime writing partner and the film's screenwriter. According to the New York Times, Sandler and Herlihy will contribute two songs to the score.

While the notion of an Adam Sandler vehicle playing the Great White Way might seem like heresy to highbrow theater fans, The Wedding Singer looks to follow the success of such recent movie-to-musical productions as Hairspray, The Producers and the new Monty Python-inspired Spamalot. Broadway producers are mining hit Hollywood flicks because of the perception that known properties will attract big crowds. The Weddding Singer grossed $80 million domestically and $123 million worldwide.

No word yet on a cast--Sandler and Barrymore have too many film commitments to even be considered--but expect producers to seek name talent to open the show.

Now if only they'd get cracking on Happy Gilmore on Ice.

I could see it as not so bad. Thoughts?

[Guest Blade]

anything by adam sandle to me is worth seeing, i can't wait for his new film longest yard and this project looks to be sucessful

[punky]

I'd actually rather see Happy Gilmore on ice.

[DMN in the House]

I'm kinda disappointed. I was hoping it would be a musical using his comedy songs.

My Hobby is Murder and The Talking Goat = GOLD!

[Guest Blade]

Happy Gilmore on Ice would be Hilarious and i'd love to see Billy Madison somehow re-made.

The Horny Principal, The penguien and that bus driver lmfao all day long

[Guest Wrestling_Man]

If they did an entire show out of the album "They Are Gonna Laugh at You" then I think it would be the greatest thing ever.

[Hellfire]

Happy Gilmore on Ice would indeed rock. I say that someone should get on that right now. Thats instant money in the bank lol.

[Heel Turn]

God, I hate the Wedding Singer. This horrible ex-girlfriend of mine loved that movie. I'm actually physically unable to watch it without wanting to put a chair through the television.

As for a musical, no thanks. I don't want it to spread.

[Death Before Dishonor]

God, I hate the Wedding Singer.  This horrible ex-girlfriend of mine loved that movie.  I'm actually physically unable to watch it without wanting to put a chair through the television.

As for a musical, no thanks.  I don't want it to spread.

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Edited April 18, 2005 by Death Before Dishonor