Writer/director Adam McKay (who has worked with comedian Will Ferrell on his films "Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights," as well as his Broadway solo show You're Welcome America) and the website Funny Or Die have joined forces with Archie Comics to create an original Broadway musical based on the strip, which has also been seen in animated cartoon form. Action focuses on strip regulars Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the rest of the malt-shop-frequenting Riverdale crowd.
McKay is writing the libretto, with a creative team and dates for a New York run to be announced later.
McKay released the following statement: “Archie represents a bygone era of America. And like all bygone eras, there are elements we miss and elements that should be bygone. This will be a musical that deals with both those realities in a bright, colorful and slightly demented way.”
Jon Goldwater, Archie Comics CEO/Publisher, said, “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Adam McKay and Funny Or Die to finally bring Archie to the stage. We’ve always thought that Archie was destined to be a big Broadway star – and now that moment has come! I’ve long admired Adam’s work and the pairing of Archie’s world with his brilliant humor and sensibility is the perfect fit. We look forward to developing this project together with this incredible team.”
Visit ArchieMusical.com for details and updates.