On the Right Track! James Ponsoldt to Pen Screenplay for New Pippin Film

Pippin could be heading to the movies! Writer and director James Ponsoldt has been tapped to adapt the hit Steven Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson musical for the big screen, according to Deadline.com. No casting, filming or release dates have been announced. A revival of Pippin is currently playing at Broadway’s Music Box Theatre and will open officially on April 25, starring Patina Miller and Matthew James Thomas.

The musical tells the story of a young prince as he is guided on a journey by a mysterious group of performers, led by the Leading Player. Originally directed by Bob Fosse, Pippin features a score of memorable songs including “Magic to Do,” “Glory” and “Corner of the Sky.” The musical originally opened at the Imperial Theatre on October 18, 1972, starring John Rubinstein as Pippin and Ben Vereen as the Leading Player. The production won five 1973 Tony Awards, including Best Director and Best Choreographer wins for Fosse and a Best Actor win for Vereen. The production closed on June 12, 1977 after 1,944 performances.

Ponsoldt is the writer and director of Smashed and Off the Black, as well as the director of The Spectacular Now and co-director of We Saw Such Things. His short film writing and directing credits include Coming Down the Mountain and Junebug and Hurricane.