Latest news with #MJ:TheMusical
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'10 Things I Hate About You' Director Weighs in on Broadway Musical Adaptation: 'Don't Hurt My Baby' (Exclusive)
Gil Junger, director of 10 Things I Hate About You, is weighing in on the upcoming Broadway musical, 25 years after the release of the 1999 original While not involved in the production, Junger says he's "so excited to see what" Lena Dunham, who is cowriting the book, "does with this" The musical will also feature a score co-written by pop star Carly Rae JepsenThe director of 10 Things I Hate About You is weighing in on the recently announced Broadway musical adaptation. In a conversation with PEOPLE, Gil Junger says he's "so excited" for the upcoming production based on his hit 1999 teen rom-com of the same name, despite not being directly involved in it. "It's funny because years ago, I was offered [the opportunity to direct a stage production]," says Junger, 70. "That was brought up to me a couple of times over the last 15 years. And I always said, 'Look, if you get your financing together, I'm down.' And they never got back to me." That being said, the show — which will be directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, from a book co-written by Lena Dunham and a score co-written by Carly Rae Jepsen— is something Junger still looks forward to taking in as a viewer. "I'm so excited to see what Lena does with this," he says of Dunham, 38. "She's just so incredibly talented. She has that voice." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. 10 Things I Hate About You follows teen Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles), a high-achieving, sharp-tongued loner who is constantly compared to her perky, popular younger sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) by their overprotective single dad, Walter (Larry Miller). But Kat's world is soon turned upside down by Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), an edgy new student who challenges her cynical views. PEOPLE confirmed the in-development 10 Things I Hate About You Broadway musical on April 23. Jepsen, 39, is partnering with Ethan Gruska on the score, while Dunham has been tapped to co-write the book with playwright Jessica Huang, according to Billboard. Two-time Tony winner Tom Kitt will serve as music supervisor, arranger and orchestrator, with Mike Bosner producing. Junger admits to PEOPLE that "there's a little bit of 'Don't hurt my baby' " in terms of his feelings about the upcoming show, as he doesn't "want it to hurt the essence" or "legend" of the movie. "I did put a little curse on the guy," he jokes of Wheeldon, 52, who's known for productions like An American in Paris and MJ: The Musical. "No, I wish them great luck with it." And considering the creative team including Dunham and Jepsen, "It's in such good hands," the filmmaker adds. "I'm just excited to see it." Junger isn't out of the 10 Things game completely, though. In fact, he is developing a follow-up film that he is planning to direct, and he is currently writing the screenplay with Naya Elle James. Titled 10 Things I Hate About Dating, the movie will be the first of a planned trilogy, according to Junger, followed by 10 Things I Hate About Marriage and 10 Things I Hate About Kids. Similarly to how the original film was a modern retelling of William Shakespeare's 16th-century comedy The Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About Dating will be inspired by Molière's 1666 play The Misanthrope, Junger tells PEOPLE. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! And although it's unclear at this moment how much of the original film will play a part in the new story, the director would love to see some familiar faces in the next iteration, which will be aimed at an audience in the 30 age range as opposed to the first movie's teen target. Asked whether there might be a nod to Ledger, who died in 2008 at age 28, in 10 Things I Hate About Dating, Junger says, "I think that's a beautiful idea, and the answer is now going to be yes. ... He deserves to be loved." An opening date for 10 Things I Hate About You on Broadway has not yet been announced. Read the original article on People
Telegraph
17-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
‘I'm a West End choreographer with an unpredictable income – can I afford a buy-to-let?'
Receive personalised tips on how to improve your financial situation, for free. Here's how to apply or fill in the form below. Self-employed choreographer Christopher Tendai, 31, was renting an apartment in West Finchley, North London, when he decided it was time to think about buying his first home. It was November 2020 and he was working as a performer in a pantomime at the National Theatre when the UK went into its second lockdown. Mr Tendai says: 'My first step was to spend a few months sorting out my credit score and making sure it was up to standard.' He had £30,000 saved for his deposit, but being self-employed during the pandemic with uncertain income Mr Tendai struggled to get a mortgage in principle (an initial agreement of what a lender can offer you). 'I was teaching online and running workshops, but lenders wanted a yearly plan of your income and mine fluctuated with no proper continuous work.' He was finally able to buy in spring 2021 using a Help to Buy loan and an additional £5,000 from his mum that he has since paid back. He paid £305,000 for a two-bedroom flat in Ealing at The Quarry development by L&Q, with a 35-year mortgage costing £626 a month. Since then Mr Tendai has focused on rebuilding his savings and is working seven days a week – including starting and running his own teaching business alongside his theatre roles. His efforts have paid off and he now has £30,000 saved in cash Isas. He explains: 'My mother taught me the way of savings and when I was back in work I would save as much of my earnings as possible and just be very strict on that so I could recover a little bit more quickly and feel comfortable.' He currently has a full-time job as the resident choreographer at MJ: The Musical, running in London's West End, with an annual income of £35,000 after tax. Excluding his mortgage, his outgoings are around £600 a month but he worries about the rising cost of living eating into his finances.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Jackson's Son Prince Attends Australian Premiere of ‘MJ: The Musical'
Michael Jackson's son Prince Jackson made a rare public appearance Saturday when he attended the Sydney, Australia, premiere of 'MJ: The Musical.' 'MJ: The Musical' focuses on Michael Jackson's preparation for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The musical opened on Broadway in December 2021. Prince and his siblings Paris and Bigi attended a preview night for the play in London in March 2024. The original Broadway production was followed by a touring show of 'MJ: The Musical' that began casting actors for the roles of 'MJ' and 'Little Michael' in 2023. Actors are asked to prepare their favorite Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 song for the auditions held at Gus Giordano in Chicago and the Doubletree Hilton in Detroit. 'MJ' is directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon, with a book written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. The Broadway production now stars Elijah Rhea Johnson as Michael Jackson. Jackson's story will also be told in the upcoming biopic 'Michael.' The movie is produced by Graham King and penned by 'Gladiator' director John Logan. King is co-producing the film alongside John Branca and John McClain. The movie has the participation of the coexecutors of Jackson's estate. The post Michael Jackson's Son Prince Attends Australian Premiere of 'MJ: The Musical' appeared first on TheWrap.
