TRW Releases New SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Broadway musical licensor TRW (Theatrical Rights Worldwide) announces the release of the new SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER the Musical. Written for the North American stage by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti, this definitive new version of the musical features all of the original smash hit songs from The Bee Gees and others, with new music as well.

Upon acquiring the show for Stock and Amateur licensing in 2014, TRW President and CEO Steve Spiegel assembled the writing team and began work on the new musical edition of the beloved film. "I've long wanted the opportunity to give the theatrical marketplace a narrative treatment of Saturday Night Fever that works for the stage. The writers I put together for this project have delivered a fantastic new way to bring these characters to life that will give it a vital presence in theaters everywhere in North America for years to come," Spiegel said.

The new show has had a rolling world premiere, with the first production at Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn, NY. Tony Curulla of Syracuse.com described it as "a big show with virtual non-stop kinetics." SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER is currently running at North Shore Music Theatre through August 23 with subsequent productions at Gateway Playhouse, Arvada Center for the Arts, and Ogunquit Playhouse.

With permission from RSO (Robert Stigwood Organization), Abbinanti wrote three new songs for the show. "We were very careful to create songs that not only fit the characters' emotional state of mind, but also sounded musically true to the time," says Abbinanti. "Sean (Cercone) and I were very mindful of this as we approached the project." The response for the new songs has been very warm. Boston Events Insider said "the added tunes enhance the dramatic plot, (and) "Stuck" may be the best number in the show, which is saying a lot considering the original movie soundtrack sold 30 million copies."

The new SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER is written to provide accessibility to the material while retaining the heart of the story. "We've created a version of 'Fever' that can be done in professional theaters as well as community and school drama groups. This meant adjusting some of the more edgy plot lines and language while retaining and even enhancing the emotional and musical impact of the story," Abbinanti said.

In tandem with the roll-out of the new edition, 54 Below will be hosting a SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Reunion Concert August 31, featuring some of the new version's music. Many of the original Broadway cast members will be joining the concert, including Bryan Batt, James Carpinello, Orfeh, Paul Castree, and Paige Price.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER THE MUSICAL is based on the Paramount/RSO film and the story by Nik Cohn. It was originally adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oaks. SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER is now in limited release for stock and amateur licensing in North America. Licensing inquiries available at www.theatricalrights.com.