BWW Interviews: Baz Luhrmann: STRICTLY BALLROOM to Hit Broadway 'If It's Any Good'

In an exclusive interview with BroadwayWorld surrounding tomorrow's release of THE GREAT GATSBY on Blu-Ray and DVD, Tony and Academy Award nominated director, Baz Luhrmann, gave a quick glimpse into his next project, the stage adaptation of his 1992 film STRICTLY BALLROOM. The new musical is currently in preparations for a premiere in Australia in March 2014. Check out what he had to say below!

I know that you are working on STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL, is there any news you can share with us?

Yea, I'm trying to cast Fran (the show's female lead), and I'm gonna have a go at doing some casting in New York. I've done a lot of casting, and I've done a lot of work on it in the last month in Australia. We did a little, kind of mini-workshop, and we've got another one coming up. It is advancing and we are very much moving towards our opening which is in March-April next year. Other than running to China (for GATSBY's release), right now I'm working on STRICTLY BALLROOM.

Are there any plans to bring it to New York after the Australian run?

I think that's a pretty simple answer. If it's any good, Matt, we'll be on our way to Broadway.

Read the entire BroadwayWorld conversation with Baz Luhrman, at BroadwayWorld Movies.

The show's official Global Premiere will be at the Sydney Lyric from 25 March, 2014, with tickets currently on sale. STRICTLY BALLROOM THE MUSICAL is the inspiring story of a championship ballroom dancer who defies all the rules to follow his heart. This uplifting and courageous tale originated as a stage play that Luhrmann devised with a group of students at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) back in 1984.

Following the first performances, Luhrmann was invited to re-stage the play for the Czechoslovakian World Youth Drama Festival in Bratislava in 1986 where it won best production and Luhrmann best director. Then, after a preview season at the Brisbane Expo in 1988, the play opened at the Wharf Studios in Sydney.

STRICTLY BALLROOM went on to become one of the most successful Australian films of all time, earning more than $80 million at the box office. Discovered at the Cannes Film Festival, it was winner of the Prix de Jeunnesse and runner up for the Palme D'Or. When released in Australia, Strictly Ballroom swept the field at the 1992 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards, gaining 13 nominations and winning in eight major categories. It was also a major success at the 1993 BAFTA awards, where it garnered eight nominations and won three awards for Best Costume Design, Best Original Film Score and Best Production Design, as well as a 1994 Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture.

Photo credit James Morgan / GLOBAL CREATURES