No specific dates or place have been set for the workshop, according to a production spokesperson, but the aim is for early spring as the next step in the development process.
The Cry-Baby world premiere, previously scheduled for February-March 2007 at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, was delayed because there was no available Broadway house for a transfer.
Earlier this month, producers issued an announcement that read, "Due to a shortage of suitable Broadway theatres this spring, the New York producing team and The 5th Avenue Theatre have agreed to postpone the Seattle Cry-Baby debut until a Broadway venue becomes available. The delay will allow the creative team to further develop the production and prepare for its 5th Avenue premiere at a later date."
Adam Epstein, Allan S. Gordon, Elan V. McAllister and Brian Grazer are slated to produce the work with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre; the latter hosted the pre-Broadway debuts of Hairspray and The Wedding Singer.
Cry-Baby, based on the movie of the same name, features a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, a score by Adam Schlesinger and David Javerbaum, choreographry Rob Ashford and direction by Mark Brokaw. Cry-Baby was described in 5th Avenue Theatre production notes thusly: "Baltimore 1954. Everyone likes Ike, nobody likes communism, and Wade 'Cry-Baby' Walker is the baddest boy on town. He's a rebel with a cause — truth, justice and the pursuit of rock 'n' roll — and when he falls for a good girl who doesn't want to stay that way, this square little suburb is sure to rock around the clock."
Casting for the workshop will begin in mid-November for the leads (Cry-Baby and Allison), principal players (Mrs. Vernon-Williams, Baldwin, Judge Igneous Stone, Pepper, Wanda, Mona, Lenora, Dupree, Suzie Q and Snaredrum), ensemble roles (Mr. Ozzie Woodward, Mrs. Harriet Woodward, Jo Jo, Gertie) and ensemble singers (to play male and female Squares, Drapes and Conks).