We have some groundbreaking news for fans of The Devil Wears Prada. With the brand-new musical adaptation all set to take over the Dominion Theatre later this year, this exciting production has just announced that Vanessa Williams will play the iconic role of Miranda Priestlythe undisputed Queen of Fashion, and Editor-in-Chief of Runway Magazine!
Originally played by Meryl Streep in the 2006 hit film, Vanessa Wiliams is renowned for flawlessly tackling a similar editorial position, famed for her scene-stealing role as Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Bettyas well as her appearance in the beloved Desperate Housewives series.
The Tony Award nominee is no stranger to the stage either, with previous theatre credits including Into The Woods, Kiss of the Spider Womanand more. Williams rose to fame back in 1984 after winning (and resigning) the Miss America pageant.
Since then, she has established herself as a multi-award-winning singerand an iconic actress, so we couldn’t think of a better person to play the diva that ends all divas, an all-singing, all-dancing Miranda Priestly.
However, this isn’t the only superstar involvement in the musical. Elton John is in charge of the musical scoremaking it one of the must-see new musicals of not only the year, but the decade!
The production was first announced in 2017 when Elton John was first connected to the musician adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada. “Re-imagining The Devil Wears Prada for the musical theatre is super exciting. I’m a huge fan of both the book and the feature film and a huge aficionado of the fashion world. I can’t wait to sink my musical teeth into this hunk of popular culture,” he said at the time.
Amongst Elton John and Vanessa Williams, other big names in the biz will also be involved to bring the film to the stage with lyrics by award-winning American musician Shaina Taub, actor-writer Kate Wetherhead taking the reins over the script, award-winning Broadway director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell of Kinky Boots and Legally Blonde directing, and set design from Back To The Future’s Tim Hatley.
For those unfamiliar with the film, the plot follows ambitious writer and journalist Andy, who scores a job at one of the most prestigious fashion magazines in the country. Having to meet the demands of her powerful (and absolutely terrifying boss) Miranda, her life gets turned upside down in the chicest way possible.
The film starred some of the biggest names in Hollywood, most notably Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, intrinsically becoming a cult noughties film fave. So naturally, we’re so excited that this anticipated musical is one step closer to opening.
Tickets for The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical are now on sale. An exclusive preview will be taking place in Plymouth in July, before the production takes over London’s Dominion Theatre starting October. Click here to visit their website for more information and tickets.
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