bruce lee: the musical

Bruce Lee is coming to Broadway. I remember hearing about the Bruce Lee musical in the works when it was first announced several years ago, and then wondered what had happened to it. Bruce Lee: Journey to the West, a musical telling the story of Bruce Lee's success, will be hitting the Broadway stage in 2010 or 2011: Bruce Lee, Nelson Mandela coming to Broadway. I am so there. It'll be directed by Bartlett Sher, with music by David Yazbek, and book by David Henry Hwang:

The Bruce Lee production will track the kung fu superstar's journey using figures from Chinese mythology to follow his quest and The Monkey King, a warrior god, who becomes his heavenly ally, according to a statement from the production's publicists.

Lee, who died in Hong Kong in 1973, was beloved by fans for martial arts movies like "Enter the Dragon" and "Fists of Fury." At least four documentaries have been produced about his life. He was born in San Francisco in 1940, grew up in Hong Kong and became a kung fu whiz kid by the age of 10.

The show will include martial arts, Chinese opera, modern dance and pop music as Lee struggles to master his skills, purify his spirit and forge a link to unite East and West, the statement said. The lead actor has yet to be chosen.

It will be directed by Bartlett Sher, who directed the current Broadway revival of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center, and will be produced by Elephant Eye Theatrical.

More details here: Sher Will Direct Bruce Lee Musical, by Yazbek and Hwang, for Broadway. Sounds crazy, but I love it. Let it be known, that aside from Flower Drum Song, I'm generally not a big fan of musicals. However, a musical about Bruce Lee, I will see. Sign me up. Hell, I will watch this thing on opening night. No word yet on who will play the title role... it just better not be a white guy.