Griffin
NEW YORK -- On the heels of its Broadway-bound production of tuner "Spring Awakening," the Atlantic Theater Company is set for its second foray into musical theater, a still-untitled offering currently known as the Patty Griffin musical project.
Stringing together pre-existing and new tunes by alt-country singer-songwriter Griffin (whose songs have been recorded by the Dixie Chicks, among others), the show will occupy the fourth slot in the Off Broadway troupe's 2006-07 season, aiming for a June opening.
Book, about a road trip in a beat-up pickup, is by Keith Bunin ("The Busy World Is Hushed"). "Spring Awakening" helmer Michael Mayer will direct.
Like "Spring Awakening," which is prepping for a Rialto transfer this fall, the Griffin musical was brought to the Atlantic's attention by producer Tom Hulce, who, along with Ira Pittelman, shepherded "Awakening" to its upcoming commercial berth.
No casting for the new project has been announced, but a recent workshop starred Sutton Foster ("The Drowsy Chaperone"), Matthew Morrison ("Hairspray"), Linda Emond ("Homebody/Kabul") and Daniel H. Jenkins. Jenkins is booked in "Mary Poppins" next season, but there are hopes that some of those other thesps will reprise their roles in the full production.
As in "Spring," which has a score by pop tunesmith Duncan Sheik, the Griffin project pairs a playwright with a composer new to legit.
"It's in keeping with some of the ideas that we had about doing musical theater at the Atlantic," said Atlantic a.d. Neil Pepe. "I'd always had this idea of combining a rock 'n' roll concert with a theater event."
The Atlantic is coming off a strong season that included a hit production of Pinter one-acts "Celebration" and "The Room," the Broadway transfer of Martin McDonagh's bloody comedy "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" and the impending move of "Spring." Meanwhile, a 2004 Atlantic offering, the ventriloquist show "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only," is set to bow on Broadway in September.
Founded by David Mamet and William H. Macy, 20-year-old org also moved its offices last season to a new space (which also includes a second stage) near its Chelsea theater, in part to accommodate the needs of a school with about 350 students participating in its various actor training programs.
All the Rialto attention is helping the company boost biz. "It impacts membership and single-ticket sales," said Atlantic managing director Andy Hamingson. "Our donations are up significantly."
The Griffin project joins a season that includes a Mamet adaptation of "The Voysey Inheritance," Tina Howe's "Birth and After Birth" and the world preem of Jez Butterworth's "Parlour Song."
"Spring" has not yet confirmed a Broadway venue, but legiters expect it to show up this fall in the Eugene O'Neill.
Contact Gordon Cox at
gordon.cox@variety.com