A musical stage adaptation of the Award-winning 1959 Brazilian film Black Orpheus is being prepared for a Broadway premiere next season, according to producers Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones-Harvey.
Set against the colorful backdrop of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Black Orpheus revives the Greek love story of Eurydice and Orfeu. The film became an immediate classic of popular culture with its equally erotic, triumphant, and hauntingly tragic moods.
“It is our privilege to ready Black Orpheus for the Broadway stage alongside this incredible creative team. America has never been the same since the new wave of Brazilian music came north and washed over us, and we are especially honored to be collaborating with Sergio Mendes who is one of the main architects of Brazilian pop, and whose musical genius will fit right at home on Broadway – at long last, and especially at a time when we will be welcoming the world back to New York City, with open arms,” said producers Bryd and Jones-Harvey in a statement.
Black Orpheus will feature original music by Brazilian star Sergio Mendes, and choreography from the Tony-winning choreographer Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud). A book by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz will also be released alongside the Broadway play’s premiere. Black Orpheus will mark Mendes’ Broadway debut.
Casting and production details have yet to be announced, but are expected to be released soon.
