\'Flashdance\' Musical Set for Broadway in August 2013

September 4, 2012, 3:00 pm

By ERIK PIEPENBURG

The stage adaptation of “Flashdance,” based on the 1983 movie about a female welder-dancer, will begin performances on Broadway in Aug. 2013, the show's producers announced on Tuesday. A theater, dates and casting are still to be announced.

A Broadway run of “Flashdance” has been in the works for several years. Following a 2010 London production, a group of veteran theater producers announced last year that the show would come to Broadway in the fall of 2012. In May of this year, however, the producer Marc Routh said the show would be pushed to spring 2013, citing a lack of available Broadway theaters this fall, and to give time for more work to be done on the show.

In an interview Mr. Ro uth said an August opening would give the show more attention than if it opened in the fall or spring, as most Broadway shows do.

“I think one of the advantages is that with our title, we're not relying on being blessed by the critics,” he said. “The tourist market, the primary summer market, is well aware of our title. On audience surveys it ranks high for what people want to see. We're optimistic of being able to attract audiences.”

Before its Broadway opening the show will embark on a North American tour with a production separate from the one that will play Broadway. The tour starts in Jan. 2013 in Pittsburgh, where the film is set.

The musical version of “Flashdance” features a book by Tom Hedley (who co-wrote the original screenplay with Joe Eszterhas), and Robert Cary; music by Robbie Roth; lyrics by Mr. Cary and Mr. Roth; and direction and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (“Jersey Boys”). The score includes original numbers and hit so ngs from the film, including “Maniac,” “Gloria” and “Flashdance … What a Feeling.”

As for casting, Mr. Routh didn't tip his hat. But like “Flashdance” the film, which made Jennifer Beals a star, Mr. Routh said “Flashdance” the musical has the potential to be a “star-making” production.

“There could easily be a name involved but at this point there's not,” he said. “The female lead is so monumental. She has to be an amazing triple threat performer.”