Spider-Man Scribe Glen Berger Will Write Broadway-Bound Musical Adaptation of August Rush

Producers Southpaw Entertainment and CJ E&M have announced plans for a developmental lab presentation of August Rush, a new Broadway-bound musical based on the Oscar-nominated 2007 motion picture, which starred Robin Williams and Freddie Highmore.

August Rush tells the story of a musically gifted orphan who runs away from his New York City foster home in search of his birth parents. On his journey he is taken in by a street maestro named Wizard (originated by the late Williams), who discovers his musical genius and devises a plan to profit from his talent after renaming him "August Rush." All the while, unbeknownst to August, his parents are searching for him too.

The closed industry presentation, set to take place December 9 and 10 at Gibney Dance Studios, will be directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle. The adaptation will feature a book and lyrics by Glen Berger (Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark), music and lyrics Grammy Award winner Mark Mancina (who composed the film's Grammy-nominated score), choreography by Sam Pinkelton, musical direction by Kimberly Grigsby, and orchestrations and musical arrangements by Dave Metzger.

The cast will feature Ethan Khusidman (Soul Doctor) as August Rush, Joe Carroll (Cinderella) as Louis, Sydney Shepherd (First Date) as Lyla, Terrence Mann (Pippin) as Wizard, Mark Jacoby (Sweeney Todd) as Thomas, DeAndre Sevon (The Scottsboro Boys) as Arthur X, Will Connolly (Once) as Marshall, Grace Capeless (Matilda The Musical) as Hope, Isabel Keating (It's Only a Play) as Mrs. Gordon, Lisa Helmi Johanson (Avenue Q) as Lizzie, and Alexander Gemignani (Violet) as Richard Jeffries. The ensemble will include Brandon Ellie, Lulu Fall, Nkrumah Gatling, Nathan Koci, Shaina Taub, and Elisa Winter.

The original film boasts a platinum-selling soundtrack, featuring the film’s original anthem "Raise It Up," which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song at the 2008 Academy Awards.