"Rocky The Musical" Is Apparently a Real Thing
Mon, April 29, 2013 
Yep, I thought it was originally a headline from The Onion too. But it's not, as The New York Times is reporting that Rocky: The Musical will be opening on Broadway in February 2014.
Okaaaay...
Adapted from the many-sequeled 1976 Oscar-winning film that made Sylvester Stallone a household name, the stage show has actually been around for awhile. Rocky das Musical opened in Germany last year to rave reviews and has been a box office hit. It even has a cast recording already. And yes, the score includes the classic Bill Conti theme music from the film and a full cast version of "Eye of the Tiger", even though that song is actually from the Rocky III soundtrack. The new music comes courtesy of composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime), with a book by Thomas Meehan (Annie).
What does Stallone himself think? He loves it. The musical was actually his idea in the first place, and he's one of the show's producers. Said in a statement:
"I couldn't be more proud or more excited about this production and how my original story of Rocky Balboa has been brought to spectacular life onstage. The story of Rocky was very much like my life at the time – starting out with nothing, having to fight for roles and recognition. So I put those feelings into the body of a boxer and I had no idea there were so many millions of people that felt the same way. Alex Timbers and the entire creative team have not only honored that original impulse, but have made his story as exciting, heart-breaking, and inspiring as it was when Rocky first went the distance on screen."
So there you have it. Rocky is coming to Broadway. As a musical, no less. I still can't picture it, but then again, I sat through the original version of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (the one that had spiders dancing in high heels), so I guess that they really can make a musical out of anything these days. And hopefully Rocky will be better than Spider-Man was. There's no word on casting yet, but Alex Timbers, who directed the German production (and the amazing Peter and the Starcatcher), will be directing the New York production.
Here are some clips from the show (and a beaming Sylvester Stallone - he really likes this show), courtesy of BBC News:
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