After Nine Drafts, Writer Marsha Norman Departs King Kong Musical

The long-in-the-works production of King Kong has run into another stumbling block: Marsha Norman, the show's book writer, has left the production. "We exhausted the possibilities, I believe, of what I could do in writing a book where the main character doesn’t speak or sing,” the Tony winner told the New York Times, after penning nine drafts of the musical.

"What has become evident throughout the process of readings and workshops is that King Kong—with its distinct physicality—doesn't fit the traditional book musical format," said Carmen Pavlovic, the show's producer, in a statement to Broadway.com. "We are greatly indebted to everyone involved in this exploratory phase of the work...As a result of this earlier development we feel confident about the new structure we've found for the show. The next steps will be announced soon."

Norman replaced Craig Lucas on the project, while Jason Robert Brown was brought in to supply additional songs to those written by the original composer of the tuner, Marius de Vries. Directed by Eric Schaeffer, an industry-only reading of the musical took place earlier this year, starring Marc Kudisch, Robert Creighton and more.

Set against the backdrop of bustling New York City in the 1930s, the show tells the story of the infamous ape and his encounter with aspiring actress Ann Darrow, megalomaniac filmmaker Carl Denham, Natural History Museum head Jack Driscoll and the people of NYC.

No word yet on if or when King Kong will stomp on Broadway. Daniel Kramer was at the helm for the musical's world premiere in Melbourne, Australia in June 2013.