Stephen Trask & Chris D’Arienzo Team Up for Broadway-Aimed Musical Adaptation of The King of Comedy

We’re wigging out! Hedwig and the Angry Inch co-creator Stephen Trask and Rock of Ages’ book writer Chris D’Arienzo have joined forces to work on a new musical. The pair will adapt Martin Scorsese's 1982 cult classic film The King of Comedy for the stage, with an eye to bringing it all the way to Broadway.

The King of Comedy centered on a desperate comedian who stalks and kidnaps a talk show host in an effort to land the TV appearance that will make his dreams come true. Helmed by Scorsese and written by Paul D. Zimmerman, the black comedy starred Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Tony Randall, Diahnne Abbott and Sandra Bernhard.

“I saw King of Comedy in film class at Wesleyan and I still can’t get it out of my head,” said Trask in a statement. “To get asked…to make a musical with my friend Chris D’Arienzo, out of what might be the greatest movie ever, is one of the most exciting opportunities to come my way. And, we didn’t have to kidnap anybody to make it happen.” D’Arienzo added: “The film is an absolute classic and it is an honor to explore this timely and twisted view of ‘fame obsession’ with such talented and thoughtful collaborators.”

Check out the trailer to the movie below.