Playbill.com is reporting that
"Gabba Gabba Hey!", the new musical featuring the music of the rock group the
RAMONES that debuted in Perth, Australia in August 2004, is headed to the U.S.
Michael Herrmann, who penned the musical's book, told
Playbill.com that a showcase performance of
"Gabba" will be presented March 19, 2006, at the
South By Southwest Festival in Austin, TX. An Off-Broadway run at New York's Zipper Theater is expected in May. Casting for the U.S. productions will be announced at a later date.
The U.S. creative team will include
Herrmann (writer/producer),
Tommy Ramone (music director) and
Nick Sheppard (music arranger).
Theatregoers will hear such tunes as
"I Wanna Be Sedated",
"Beat on the Brat",
"Biltzkrieg Bop",
"53rd & 3rd" and
"Sheena Is a Punk Rocker".
Librettist
Herrmann said in a previous statement, "
'Gabba Gabba Hey!' is a fun show that aims to reinvent the traditional stage musical for performance in rock clubs. As the first musical to celebrate the perennially popular music of New York's rock scene — specifically, the
RAMONES and
NEW YORK DOLLS — this show has a definite edge and attitude, in keeping with the aesthetic demands of its target audience. But
'Gabba' is also very sweet and lyrical."
About
"Gabba",
Herrmann added, "Think
'Grease'-on-speed and you're on the money — albeit with a generous dollop of colorful Lower East Side characters. With 18 high-energy
RAMONES songs and a rather touching love story all performed in 70 minutes,
'Gabba Gabba Hey!' is streetwise yet heartfelt; retro but also new and innovative. Plus there's not a dull moment in it, I promise!"
