Lots of movies have become musicals, with varying results. But even the low hit rate isn't stopping stage producers from taking a chance on recognisable titles. The latest looking to make the transition from the silver screen to the Great White Way and the West End is 1988's Working Girl.
The original film, which starred Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver, Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin and Joan Cusack, focused on secretary Tess McGill (Griffith), who has executive ambitions. Tired of sleazy treatment by male colleagues and after her idea for a new merger is stolen by boss Katharine Parker (Weaver), Tess takes the chance when Katharine breaks her leg skiing to make a move for her own chance at a better job and actual respect.
Cyndi Lauper, who worked on the successful Kinky Boots musical adaptation, is writing the music, with New Girl writer Kim Rosenstock on book duty, adapting Kevin Wade's original screenplay. The rest of the team still has to be found, and there's no sign yet of when the eventual show will arrive.
"I’m really excited for so many reasons to start composing the score for Working Girl," says Lauper. "I love the film, and its story about a woman’s very unconventional road to success in the ‘80s is something I know a lot about. Women are still fighting for fundamental rights and equal pay! It’s also laugh-out-loud funny, which is why Kim Rosenstock is the perfect person to write the book."