Cyndi Lauper Leads Working Girl Stage Musical Revival

2 days ago7 min read5 comments

The Great White Way is about to get a serious dose of shoulder-padded power, as the iconic 1988 film 'Working Girl' prepares for its long-awaited stage musical revival, spearheaded by none other than the eternal queen of quirky anthems, Cyndi Lauper. This isn't just another movie-to-musical adaptation; it's a full-circle moment for a story about a secretary from Staten Island who uses her street smarts to climb the corporate ladder, now being retold by a composer who herself redefined what it meant to be a successful woman in the 1980s.Lauper, who won a Tony for her triumphant Broadway debut with 'Kinky Boots,' brings a profound understanding of the outsider's journey, infusing the project with the same authenticity and heart that made 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' an enduring feminist rallying cry. The casting of JoJo, a pop phenom who navigated the treacherous waters of the music industry from childhood stardom to a respected adult career, in the lead role of Tess McGill is nothing short of inspired.JoJo’s own narrative of reclaiming her voice and career from corporate entanglements mirrors Tess’s struggle, promising a performance layered with lived-in resilience. The ensemble, rumored to include a mix of Broadway veterans and fresh faces, is tasked with translating the film's sharp, witty dialogue and iconic moments—the hair, the sneakers, the triumphant boardroom finale—into the language of theatre: song, dance, and raw, immediate emotion.This revival arrives at a potent cultural juncture, where conversations about class, gender, and ambition in the workplace are more urgent than ever. The original film, a product of its time, now gets a chance to be re-examined and re-contextualized for a post-#MeToo generation, exploring whether Tess’s methods of assimilation and covert intelligence are still the only tools available.Will the musical lean into the gritty, pre-gentrified New York aesthetic, or will it offer a more polished, contemporary vision? Lauper’s musical sensibility, known for its blend of pop-rock catchiness and emotional depth, suggests a score that will both propel the narrative and provide soul-baring solos for its leads. The creative team faces the challenge of honoring Mike Nichols’ beloved classic while carving out a distinct theatrical identity, a tightrope walk between nostalgia and innovation. The success of this production could signal a new wave of 80s revivals, but more importantly, it has the potential to cement the story of Tess McGill not just as a period piece, but as a timeless commentary on the enduring hustle of the American working woman, sung from the rafters with the same defiant spirit that Lauper has championed for decades.

#Cyndi Lauper

#Working Girl

#musical

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#JoJo

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#adaptation