Producer Bill Weiner announced an industry reading Tuesday of the new musical adaptation of “Empire Records.”
The adaptation of the 1995 film features original music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak and a book by Carol Heikkinen, the film’s screenwriter. Trip Cullman, director of “Choir Boy,” will lead the Dec. 7 reading at Roundabout Studios.
The cast for the reading includes Kathryn Gallagher, Drew Gehling, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Lorna Courtney, Hilary Fisher, Ilan Eshkenazi, Brody Grant, De’Lon Grant, Veronica Otim, J Daughtry, Sam Poon, Eric Weigand, Gabe Violett and Ashley Perez Flanagan.
The film centers on a group of young employees working to save their small-town record store.
Weiner, who previously worked as executive vice president and general consul as part of New Regency’s theatrical stage business, described the project as “Broadway-bound.”
“I am beyond thrilled to bring this iconic film to the Broadway stage. As a film, ‘Empire Records’ captured the hearts of millions of Americans, and I am so excited for Carol’s words to be brought together with Trip’s vision, and Zoe’s incredible music and lyrics,” Weiner said in the press release.
