'In The Heights' and 'Spring Awakening' Sounding Big Screen Bound

The big screen's love affair with Broadway continues as some very strong comments were made at Monday night's REVIVAL: Broadway's Next Act panel discussion and performance at Carnegie Hall regarding potential movie versions of current Tony Award winning musical hits, In The Heights and Spring Awakening. Our BroadwayWorld photographer Peter James Zienlinsk not only caught the vibrant images of the evening, but also all the dish being served up during the lively and informative discussion.

The topic of the film transfers came up when the Tony winning star and creator of  In The Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda asked fellow Tony Award winning composer, Duncan Sheik when his Broadway musical Spring Awakening might debut on the big screen, while Sheik was unwilling to comment, Hairspray movie director Adam Shankman divulged the rights had already been optioned and acquired. 

It was then Miranda's turn on the hot seat as Shankman revealed that Jennifer Lopez is very interested in guiding In The Heights to the silver screen. The diplomatic answer from Miranda was that while he'd be leaving the show in February 2009, he hopes the musical will continue to thrive without him, but did not comment directly on a film version. Lopez recently spent the evening at a performance of In The Heights with her husband, Marc Anthony to celebrate her birthday and is a very vocal fan of the sow.

On Monday, October 6 at 8:00 p.m. in Zankel Hall, The Carnegie Hall Notables hosted REVIVAL: Broadway's Next Act, a panel discussion focusing on the fresh approach that composers have recently introduced to Broadway, attracting audiences through a new range of media, from YouTube to MTV.

The discussion was moderated by Actress Ana Gasteyer and Panelists included Grammy- and Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik; actor, lyricist, and Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda; film director, choreographer, and executive producer Adam Shankman; Broadway director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell; and actor and author-songwriter Anthony Rapp. Duncan Sheik, Anthony Rapp, and Lin-Maneul Miranda gave a special performance as part of the panel event in Zankel Hall.

REVIVAL: Broadway's Next Act is one of many events specifically created by The Notables, Carnegie Hall's membership program for music enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s.

More information is also available by visiting www.carnegiehall.org/notables. 

This evening was generously underwritten by Pia and James Zankel.

Photo by Peter James Zielinski