Marsha Norman to Pen Book for Don Juan DeMarco Musical

More details have been announced for the Broadway-bound musical adaptation of the film Don Juan DeMarco, starring Antonio Banderas.

According to Variety, Marsha Norman--the Pulitzer Prize-winner who penned the books of The Color Purple and The Secret Garden as well as plays such as 'night, Mother--has signed on to write the book, while New Line will produce. David Leveaux, who helmed the hit Broadway revival of Nine that starred Banderas, is still said to be the likely candidate for director, although his involvement has not yet been confirmed.

A composer and lyricist have not yet been found for the show, although producers were hoping to sign Michael Karmen and Bryan Adams, who wrote "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman"--the Oscar-nominated hit song from the movie.

Production dates are also unknown for the musical. Banderas previously stated that Don Juan DeMarco will come to Broadway next year, but Mark S. Kaufman, New Line's executive VP of production and theatre, said the show will probably have a Broadway berth a little later. "I don't think it can be put together that quickly. We're going to get it right, and then we're going to do it," he said.

Don Juan DeMarco will star Banderas as the psychiatric patient who believes that he is the legendary ladies' man created by Lord Byron; in the film version, Johnny Depp played "Don Juan."

Directed by and with a screenplay by Jeremy Leven, the movie also featured Marlon Brando as Dr. Jack Mickler, who treats the would-be Don Juan for his delusions, and who finds his own approach to life--and his marriage--changed in the process. Faye Dunaway played his wife Marilyn Mickler.

Although Nine (for which he received a Tony nomination) marks Banderas' only Broadway appearance to date, he appeared as Che in the film version of Evita and was also in the running to play the title role in the film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera (before it went to Gerard Butler). A film star in his native Spain before coming to America, he has acted in such films as Desperado, Original Sin, Femme Fatate, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Frida, Shrek 2, and the Spy Kids movies, as well as in the HBO film "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself." His next film is the dance movie Take the Lead, which opens this week.

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