Jeff Arch, who penned the film's original story and co-wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay with Nora Ephron and David Ward, will write the musical's libretto. Joel Zwick, who helmed the hit film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," will direct.
Citrin is the co-creator, writer and star of YouTube sensations "Rosh Hashanah Girl," "20 Things to do with Matzah" and "Pass the Candle." Garin co-wrote and co-starred in the Off-Broadway hit musical Song of Singapore, winning awards for his work from both Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk. Nelson is a composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter; he has released five CDs of original music, and has produced dozens of albums for other artists.
"We are thrilled to have Michelle, Michael, and Josh on board to make this timeless musical sing in a contemporary, exciting way," said producer Shor in a statement. "The process that we went through to find our writing team is unique to say the least. We are glad we found them and are thrilled with the results of their collaboration. Who knew that Facebook and YouTube would break the mold to discover new voices for the theater?"
"Nothing was more important than getting the sound we wanted," book writer Arch added. "If it came from people with household names and multiple Tony Awards, that would have been welcome too – but these three are the ones who brought it home. I've known Michael for almost 40 years and was a huge Song of Singapore fan — to work together on a Broadway musical with him is a rare and unexpected treat. And Michelle and Josh came straight from wish-list heaven — I'm in awe of what they've been turning out. The music for this show is in the best possible hands."
Sleepless in Seattle, according to press notes, "centers around Sam, a widower and single father. When Sam's son, Jonah calls into a talk-radio program looking for a new mother, Sam ends up getting on the phone and laments about his lost love. Thousands of miles away, Annie hears the program and immediately falls in love with Sam, despite the fact that she has never met him and that she is engaged to another man. Believing they are meant to be together, Annie sets out for Seattle to meet Sam, who, meanwhile, contends with an onslaught of letters from available women equally touched by his phone call." Oscar and Grammy winning author-composer-lyricist Leslie Bricusse (Stop the World—I Want to Get Off, Jekyll & Hyde, Victor/Victoria) announced July 14, 2009, that he had withdrawn from the creative team for the stage musical version of "Sleepless in Seattle," the hit 1993 film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan that garnered two Academy Award nominations. Bricusse's decision was due to "creative differences with the show's producer and director," according to a press statement at that time.
