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Ohiogal

(32,091 posts)
Thu Jul 18, 2019, 04:30 PM Jul 2019

Paul McCartney writes first musical, stage version of It's a Wonderful Life

He has written perhaps the greatest canon of pop music, collaborated with everyone from Elvis Costello to Rihanna, and even soundtracked a video game, but at 77, Paul McCartney is ticking off another career first: writing a musical.

His first stage musical is to be an adaptation of Frank Capra’s 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life, and will open late in 2020. McCartney will write music and lyrics for the project. Lee Hall, author of Billy Elliot and screenwriter for the recent Elton John biopic Rocketman, is also writing lyrics, and the show’s book.

The musical was initiated by Bill Kenwright, the British theatre producer known for hit productions of Blood Brothers and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, as well as recent West End shows such as Heathers: the Musical. Kenwright acquired the rights to It’s a Wonderful Life and approached McCartney – a fellow Liverpudlian – with the idea three years ago.

“Like many of these things, this all started with an email,” McCartney said. “Bill had asked if it was something I might be up for. Writing a musical is not something that had ever really appealed to me, but Bill and I met up with Lee Hall and had a chat and I found myself thinking this could be interesting and fun.”

More: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/18/paul-mccartney-stage-musical-its-a-wonderful-life-frank-capra-lee-hall-billy-elliot-beatle

The guy is amazing ... at 77, still coming up with new stuff and broadening his horizons.

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Paul McCartney writes first musical, stage version of It's a Wonderful Life (Original Post) Ohiogal Jul 2019 OP
honestly, if I had to name THE musician of my lifetime Skittles Jul 2019 #1
This is excellent news for McCartney fans, and music fans in general. planetc Jul 2019 #2
There is nothing like seeing and hearing PMac sing. Let It Be. LakeArenal Jul 2019 #3

Skittles

(153,202 posts)
1. honestly, if I had to name THE musician of my lifetime
Thu Jul 18, 2019, 04:39 PM
Jul 2019

it would be Paul McCartney, hands down.....and I have loved him for 55 years

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