After traveling to Wally World , Europe, and Las Vags, it's been announced that the Griswold family is planning a vacation for the Broadway stage!
News of the Griswold's next ambitious outing arrives via Deadline, who in a recent report stated that characters from the National Lampoon's Vacation series of films will star in their very own musical adaption titled Broadway Vacation The Musical. The off-the-wall adaptation will take the stage at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre in the fall and will feature a book, music and lyrics by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, with direction and choreography by Donna Feore. For the moment, no castmembers have been announced, though we'll be sure to keep you in the loop as this project develops.
If you're a New York native who is looking to experience Broadway Vacation The Musical, I'm sorry to report that the stage show has yet to arrange a residency for Broadway proper. That being said, the Seatlle venue has been the starting home for plenty of productions over the years, such as Hairspray, Aladdin, Memphis and First Date. Should Broadway Vacation The Musical become a smash hit, chances are that we'll see the Griswold's charting a course for the Big Apple in due time.
“We could not be more thrilled to create the world premiere of this joyfully riotous story at The 5th,” said 5th Avenue’s Artistic Director Bill Berry. “I can’t wait to begin our 2020/21 season with a bang and for Seattle’s incredibly smart and savvy audiences to once again play an important role in the development of a new piece of the musical theater canon.”
“I couldn’t think of a better place for the Griswolds to start their journey to Broadway than the 5th Avenue Theater. Can’t wait to throw our bags in the family truckster and head to Seattle,” said Broadway producer Ken Davenport, who'd been referring to the plot’s Broadway, not announcing a move to NYC's real Broadway.
In terms of additional credits, Broadway Vacation The Musical will feature costume design by Emily Rebholz, with music direction by Meg Zervoulis and music supervision and arrangements by Glen Kelly.
So far, there are five films in National Lampoon's Vacation series, which are based on John Hughes’ short story "Vacation ’58" that was originally published by National Lampoon magazine. The films revolve around the Griswold family, who upon doing their best to enjoy a nice family vacation, find themselves invaded by in-laws, at the mercy of foreign social conventions, and plagued by the dim-witted actions of their patriarch, Clark Griswold. In other words, things rarely come up Milhouse for the Griswolds, no matter where they go or how hard they try to make the best of plans gone awry. Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo starred in all five films as the parents, Clark and Ellen Griswold, while the Griswold children were portrayed by a series of young actors.
We'll be sure to let you know when more information for Broadway Vacation The Musical becomes available.