A Crazy Rich Asians musical set for Broadway is in the works

If you thought you’d seen the last of Rachel Chu, Nick Young, and the glitzy, ritzy world of the Crazy Rich Asians, think again. A Crazy Rich Asians musical is now in development and set for Broadway. Director Jon M Chu, who was the maestro behind the 2018 movie, is set to reprise his directorial role. Though no official premiere date has been announced, it’s safe to say that fans of the top grossing movie have a lot to look forward to.

Crazy Rich Asians was a huge success for more reasons than one. Beyond the money it made — USD 239 million worldwide against a production budget of USD 30 million — the movie, which was based on Kevin Kwan’s eponymous novel, became an instant on-screen hit, highly lauded by critics and moviegoers alike.

On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a sturdy 91 percent fresh rating; on IMDb, its rating stands at a respectful 6.9, whilst its Metacritic score stands at 74 percent.

Six years since its debut, the movie continues to be a feel-good film well-loved among romantic comedy buffs. And for good reason. Crazy Rich Asians is a shining symbol of Asian representation done right in Hollywood, tied together with stellar cinematography, beautiful sights and scenes, an incredible soundtrack, and top-notch acting performances from a stacked, star-studded cast.

The movie is widely credited for kicking off an Asian renaissance in Hollywood, introducing an all-Asian cast whose stories reflect the journeys of immigrants living abroad. Yet, on a deeper scale, it also showcased Asian cultures, poignantly highlighting themes like the importance of family ties and filial piety.

And while the luxurious on-screen lifestyles of the Young family aren’t the average Asian experience, the on-screen representation provided an impetus for Asians to rally behind. Through the effervescent performances of top-tier Asian actors and actresses like Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Constance Wu, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Harry Shum Jr., and Ronny Chieng among others, viewers got to live vicariously outlandish lives.

According to Production Weekly, the sequel for Crazy Rich Asians based on Kevin Kwan’s follow up novel China Rich Girlfriend is set to begin filming in 2025.

In the meantime, director Jon M Chu, who has recently wrapped his two-parter Ariana Grande-starrer Wicked, has set his sights on Broadway, where it has been confirmed that a Crazy Rich Asians musical will soon land.

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Crazy Rich Asians musical set for Broadway, to be directed by Jon M. Chu

Developed in collaboration by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Kevin Kwan, who is the original writer of Crazy Rich Asians, the musical will be helmed by director Jon M Chu. Chu, who famously brought us the Crazy Rich Asians movie in 2018, is fresh from a string of Broadway-to-screen adaptations, the most recent of which is Wicked, which stars Ariana Grande, and will be released in two parts across 2024 and 2025.

Prior to Wicked, Chu had also worked on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, which premiered to great success in 2021 with a 94 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.3 score on IMDb. Crazy Rich Asians will be Chu’s first foray into Broadway, and it is expected that he will bring his unique style of rich storytelling to the stage with great aplomb.

The Crazy Rich Asians musical will also feature a book by American playwright Leah Nanako Winkler, music by Helen Park, and lyrics by Amanda Green and Tat Tong. Winkler, who boasts writing credits for numerous television productions including A24’s Ramy, medical drama New Amsterdam, Love Life, and Tuesday Nights, is also responsible for the plays God Said This, Two Mile Hollow, Kentucky, and Hot Asian Doctor Husband.

A ‘CRAZY RICH ASIANS’ Broadway musical is in the works. pic.twitter.com/uLvHeyY9nD

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) April 17, 2024

Winkler’s script will play off against the lyrics of Tony award nominee and songwriter Amanda Green, who worked as co-composer and lyricist for Hands on a Hardbody. Other notches in her cap include work as a co-lyricist alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda in Bring It On. For the Broadway musical adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians, Green will be partnering up with celebrated Singaporean record producer and songwriter Tat Tong. To complete the collective of talents, Crazy Rich Asians will also feature the work of Tony award nominee Helen Park, who scored, orchestrated, and produced the music for KPOP on Broadway in 2022.

The producers of the musical are aiming for Broadway, and have stated that a pre-Broadway engagement will also be announced in due time. No casting decisions have yet been shared. However, it bears noting that Constance Wu, who played the lead character of Rachel Chu in the movie adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians, recently performed in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway. And with the play set to follow in the original storyline of the movie, it’s anybody’s guess which of its original Hollywood cast could, quite literally, stage a return.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What hotel is at the end of Crazy Rich Asians?

The magnificent hotel shown at the end of Crazy Rich Asians is Singapore’s crown jewel, Marina Bay Sands.

– What is the story of Crazy Rich Asians?

Crazy Rich Asians follows the story of Rachel Chu, an American of Chinese descent who is an economics professor at New York University. Raised by a single immigrant mother, she is the epitome of a self-made woman. When she travels to Singapore with her longtime boyfriend Nick Young, she discovers that he is extremely wealthy — or Crazy Rich. Through a series of events, Rachel discovers the many hurdles her relationship is poised to face, from jealous socialites and cunning ex-girlfriends. The drama comes to a head when Rachel faces down her dragon future-mother-in-law, Eleanor Young, who is less-than-pleased with her low societal standing.

– What is considered Broadway music?

While any play can be performed in any part of the world, a Broadway show adheres to stricter rules. For any play to be considered a Broadway show, it must be performed in the Theatre District surrounding Times Square in Midtown, Manhattan, in venues certified by the Broadway League with 500 seats or more.