By Andrew Gans
18 Oct 2007
Tara Smith and B. Swibel, two of the producers of the new musical Xanadu, have another stage project in the works.
The novel was inspired by the Pamela Smart murder scandal and was adapted for the screen by Buck Henry. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the 1995 film featured Nicole Kidman in her first Golden Globe-winning performance. The motion picture co-starred Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck and Matt Dillon.
In a statement producer Swibel said, "We are very excited about this musical. When my collaborator Maggie Fine introduced me to Joyce, I knew I had met someone I wanted to work with and now I feel great excitement about this musical. With To Die For, we hope to deliver upon the brilliance of the story and characters created in the novel and film with an original musical score. The message of To Die For is more timely and provocative than ever."
Author Maynard, who is involved with the stage project, added, "If ever there was a larger than life character, destined to belt out her songs on Broadway, it’s the character of Suzanne Maretto—a woman who recognized the power of reality television about twenty years ahead of the rest of America. I feel excited, watching the story I wrote and the characters I created taking shape for the stage."
No musical team has been announced.
