Rehab, meet the stage door. A musical based on the life of Amy Winehouse is officially in development for London’s West End, Variety has exclusively revealed, with veteran Broadway producer Catherine Schreiber understood to be involved and casting said to be already underway. The project is still in its early days — no title, cast, theatre or premiere date has been announced — but after years of rumors, the show finally appears to be moving forward.
(Credits: Island Records)
What We Know About the Amy Winehouse Musical
Schreiber’s credits give the project serious weight: she has produced Cabaret, Rent and the stage adaptation of High School Musical, and one theatre source reportedly called the Winehouse musical “the worst kept secret in theater.” Her father Mitch Winehouse, who oversees the late singer’s estate, is also believed to be involved — which likely means the show will feature her best-known songs, from “Back to Black” and “Valerie” to “Rehab.”
The possibility of a Winehouse musical has been floated since at least 2017, when Mitch first discussed the prospect publicly. It would follow the mixed reception of the 2024 biopic Back to Black, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and starring Marisa Abela, and would join a West End crowded with jukebox musicals including Mamma Mia!, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and MJ the Musical.
The Back to Black 20th Anniversary Wave
The timing is no accident. Winehouse’s landmark second album Back to Black celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, with an expanded anniversary edition landing on October 23 featuring four previously unreleased demos, rare B-sides and recordings from her February 2007 concert at Amsterdam’s Paradiso, plus new liner notes from Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi.
Earlier this week, Ronson and Remi also led an all-star tribute concert at London’s Roundhouse, where Jorja Smith, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lianne La Havas, FLO and Jessie Reyez covered every song from Back to Black. Whether the stage musical becomes a triumph or another cautionary tale, Amy’s music is having its biggest moment in years.
Also Read: Sara Bareilles Is ‘Still Holding Out’ for a Girls5Eva Movie: “We’d Do It in a Heartbeat”
Source: JustJared — read the full story there.
