MOVIES:
- Don't Breathe
- Hands of Stone
- The Hollars
- Mechanic: Resurrection
- Southside with You
During a press day today for the home media release for his latest film, Now You See Me 2, TheMovieReport.com had the opportunity to ask director Jon M. Chu about one of his most anticipated projects in the pipeline, the long-gestating film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning Broadway debut, In the Heights. He did not have too much to impart at this point--especially as he's set to next direct Crazy Rich Asians, the adaptation of Kevin Kwan's best-selling novel of the same name--but he offered the below morsel. The film is currently targeted to be released by The Weinstein Company in the next couple of years.
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STAGE ADAPTATION CELEBRATES 20th ANNIVERSARY
OF THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED '90s FILM
Starring Chrisette Michele, Musiq Soulchild,
MC Lyte, Dave Hollister, Marsha Ambrosius,
Raheem Devaughn and More
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the popular romantic comedy, the stage play takes the essence of the film and tells its story through music. Fusing chart-topping hits and fan favorite songs from the music artists, along with a few original songs, love jones The Musical, will be a transformative experience for the audience.
Produced by veteran theater producer Melvin Childs of Produced By Faith with stage play written by Timothy Allen Smith and directed by Zadia Ife, love jones The Musical tells the universal and timeless story of love, heartbreak and starting over. The film’s original writer and director, Theodore Witcher, serves as consulting producer.
“We are really excited about this opportunity to break new ground with this musical, as it relates to African American offerings in theater around the country,” says producer Melvin Childs. “Our team has created something truly special and sincerely hope to live up to the expectations of the fans of the iconic film love jones.”
love jones was originally released on March 14, 1997 and became a cult classic film that captured the hearts and imagination of an entire generation. The soundtrack was equally impressive with a blend of neo-soul and R&B hits that fueled the 90s. The film was written and directed by Theodore Witcher and tells the classic, yet gritty, love story of Darius Lovehall (an up & coming writer and self-proclaimed renaissance man) and Nina Mosley (an aspiring photographer). The film starred Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington, Bill Bellamy and Lisa Nicole Carson.
Set in Chicago, Darius (Larenz Tate) and Nina (Nia Long) meet in a nightclub, where an unassuming open mic event quickly turns into an explosive spoken word give and take that leaves the audience speechless. From the moment they lay eyes on each other, Darius and Nina’s lives are turned upside down. Their mutual attraction is obvious, but they are both on the rebound from unfinished previous relationships and neither of them are ready for “the real thing.” As much and as hard as they try and fight it, neither of them can resist what is pulling them together. It’s a passion, an obsession…a ‘love jones’ that comes along once in a lifetime.
The film was considered one of the greatest cinematic love stories of the 90s and portrayed a side of black culture that was not reflected onscreen at a time when heavy drug and violent gang films populated the theaters.
Join the conversation and stay informed about love jones The Musical on social media using the hashtag #LoveJonesTheMusical and by following the musical on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @LoveJonesTheMusical.
For more information about love jones The Musical, go to www.lovejonesthemusical.com.
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