A musical based on the life of martial artist film star Bruce Lee is being readied for a future Broadway debut. Bruce Lee: Journey To The West is being targeted for a 2010 or 2011 premier by its producer Elephant Eye Theatrical.
Bartlett Sher, who currently has a revival of South Pacific running at the Lincoln Center Theatre, will be directing. The show’s book will be by m. Butterfly playwright David Henry Hwang with a score by The Full Monty and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels composer David Yazbeck. No cast has been chosen yet.
According to BroadwayWorld–
Bruce Lee: Journey To The West tells of the martial arts legend’s difficult road to success, as figures from Chinese mythology follow his quest and The Monkey King, a beloved warrior god, becomes his heavenly ally. In a show fusing sources as diverse as martial arts, Chinese Opera, modern dance, and pop music, Bruce struggles to master his skills, purify his spirit and forge a link to unite East and West.
It definitely sounds interesting, and the theme of forging a “link to unite East and West” almost sounds like a reversal of The King And I. It should be interesting to see how they cover his film work. Perhaps in an interpretive ballet sequence? If so, I can’t wait to see their version of Lee’s Return Of The Dragon co-star Chuck Norris jete-ing across the stage.
