King Kong will be taking over New York yet again as the show announced a Broadway run beginning Oct. 5, 2018.
The musical “King Kong” is slated to run at the Broadway Theatre next season, with Carmen Pavlovic of Global Creatures and Roy Furman producing. The show, which had a 2013 run in Melbourne, is scheduled to officially open on Nov. 8.
The show’s book is written Jack Thorne, who also wrote the book for this season’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” and features a score by Marius de Vries and songs by Eddie Perfect. Drew McOnie is directing.
The musical is based on the 1932 novel, “King Kong,” but this production offers a “contemporary take” on the monstrous story, according to the press release. The production is authorized by the estate of Merian C. Cooper, who originally created the character.
The gorilla in the room is a 20-foot high, 2,000 pound puppet. It will be manned by a team of artists and technicians, according to the press release.
“I believe that Drew McOnie and Jack Thorne will bring an exciting new dimension to Kong’s story, propelled by the score and songs written by Marius de Vries and Eddie Perfect along with the most magnificent leading man to ever appear in a Broadway show!” Pavlovic said in the press release.
The puppet was designed by Sonny Tilders and built in the Creature Technology Company in Australia. Creature Technology has also created animatronic figures for shows such as “Jurassic World: The Exhibition” and the three mascots for the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games.
The company is in a partnership with Universal Studios to create large scale animatronic figures for its theme parks.
In addition to Tilders, the design team includes Peter England on set and projection design, Roger Kirk on costume design, Peter Mumford on lighting design, Peter Hylenski on sound design and Gavin Robins in charge of aerial and the director of King Kong movement.
The cast and other creative team members will be announced at a later date.
The production put tickets on sale Wednesday, one year ahead of the opening.
