Christopher Gatelli is putting on his Top Hat! The Tony-winning Newsies choreographer is slated to direct and choreograph a developmental lab of the musical Top Hat, according to an Equity casting notice. It was previously rumored that Broadway legend Tommy Tune would stage the show. Tony nominee Chad Beguelin (Aladdin) is on board to write the book.
Top Hat is adapted from the 1935 Irving Berlin movie musical starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The London stage adaptation had a book by Matthew White and Howard Jacques and included songs from the whole of Berlin’s musical catalogue. The production premiered in the West End in April 2012 and went on to win three 2013 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical.
The lab will take place March 7 through 20.