A new bio-musical about hit songwriter Diane Warren is currently in development: “Obsessed, The Story of Diane Warren … so far.” The new musical about the Grammy–, Emmy– and Golden Globe–winning artist is produced by Irit TenHengel.
Warren, herself, paired book writer Joe DiPietro and director Kathleen Marshall to lead the creative team. The musical will feature songs by Warren, including “Rhythm of the Night,” “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” “If I Could Turn Back Time,” “Unbreak My Heart,” “Because You Loved Me” and “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” She is also expected to write several new songs for the show’s score.
The full creative team will be announced at a later date.
DiPietro and Marshall are also developing the recently announced Frank Sinatra bio-musical. Their previous collaborations include “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and “Living on Love.” A two-time Tony Award winner for his work as the book writer and lyricist of “Memphis,” DiPietro’s other Broadway credits include “Diana, The Musical” and “All Shook Up.” Marshall, a three-time Tony winner, was last represented on Broadway as director and choreographer of “In Transit.” Her other select director-choreographer credits include the 2011 revival of “Anything Goes,” the 2007 production of “Grease” and the 2006 mounting of “The Pajama Game.”
“Obsessed” tells Warren’s story: how she climbed the ranks of the music industry to write some of the world’s most famous love songs for artists like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Cher, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga — despite never having been in love herself.
Warren, who rose to fame in the 1980s, has penned nine No. 1 Hits and 32 Top 10 Hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
A private presentation of “Obsessed” will be held this month.
In a statement, Warren said, “Broadway is a new chapter for me and to work with such amazing artists like Kathleen Marshall and Joe DiPietro makes me excited to see where this will lead!”
