The eminently quotable “Bull Durham” will be transformed into a musical and premiere at the Alliance Theatre in September as part of its 2014–15 season.
The live production, based on the 1988 Kevin Costner-Susan Sarandon movie that celebrates the Church of Baseball, will have a book by Academy Award nominee Ron Shelton, the director and screenwriter of the film.
“Bull Durham,” the musical, will be directed by Kip Fagan, who has directed off-Broadway’s “The Revisionist” and “Asuncion.” Renowned folk singer-songwriter Susan Werner will provide music and lyrics.
“The piece is a love letter to baseball, free spirits, and to finding your soul mate in unexpected places. The music is perfectly suited to the story, and the story is every bit as entrancing onstage as it was in the film,” said Susan V. Booth, Jennings Hertz artistic director at the Alliance.
Shelton loosely based the story of veteran catcher “Crash” Davis coming to play for the minor league Durham Bulls in North Carolina to prepare rookie Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh to pitch in the majors, on his own experiences. The story, of course, also includes Annie Savoy, who plucks a player each season to turn into an all-star by sharing her wisdom, experience and bed.
The creative team behind the musical includes Emmy-winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse, Tony winner Derek McLane (scenic design), Tony nominee Toni-Leslie James (costume design) and music director Jason DeBord.
The Alliance, which last season premiered the Barry Manilow-Bruce Sussman musical “Harmony” and the season prior, John Mellencamp and Stephen King’s collaboration, “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,” landed “Bull Durham” thanks to those “Ghost” ties.
Booth worked with Broadway casting director Laura Stanczyk — who, along with Jack Viertel is a producing partner on “Bull Durham” — on “Ghost Brothers.” About a year ago, Stanczyk contacted Booth to inform her of a New York workshop for “Bull Durham” and invited Booth to a public showing.
“Being a baseball junkie, a major fan of that movie and of Laura’s taste and ability, I said yes,” Booth said. By the end of the first number — “a gorgeous, athletic piece of choreography that was unlike anything I’d seen on stage before,” Booth added — she knew she wanted the show for the Alliance.
Rehearsals are set to begin in July 2014. The musical will run Sept. 13-Oct. 5.
Season tickets for the Alliance Theatre go on sale in February 2014. All other tickets will go on sale in July 2014.
Visit www.alliancetheatre.org for more information.
