BREAKING NEWS
"ROCKET BOYS" TO LIFT OFF ON STAGE IN NEW MUSICAL PRODUCTION
In an exciting development, the beloved true-story of the Rocket Boys, also known as the Coalwood High School rockets, is set to take the stage in a brand new musical production, with songs and music inspired by the 1999 film October Sky.
THE STORY
Based on the memoir by Homer Hickam Jr., Rocket Boys tells the story of a small group of teenagers in a coal-mining town in West Virginia who come together to build and launch their own rockets in the 1950s. As they face challenges and obstacles along the way, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the power of reaching for the stars.
THE PRODUCTION
The new musical production of Rocket Boys is being produced by [ Producer’s Name] and is written by [Writer’s Name], with original music by [Composer’s Name]. The story is directed by [Director’s Name] and choreographed by [Choreographer’s Name]. The production features a talented young cast, including [Lead Actor/Actress Names], who will bring to life the characters of Homer and the Rocket Boys.
THE SOUNDTRACK
The soundtrack for the Rocket Boys musical features an unforgettable score, with songs that explore themes of hope, ambition, and community. Highlights include the rousing title track "Rocket Boys", the poignant ballad "Reach for the Sky", and the upbeat ensemble piece "Building Something New". Fans of the original October Sky film will delight in the familiar nods to the soundtrack, while newcomers will find the music to be an integral and integral part of the show’s energy and charm.
THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
The cast for the Rocket Boys musical features [Number] talented young performers, with standout performances from [Lead Actor/Actress Names]. The creative team includes [Director’s Name], who previously directed [Previous Production]; [Choreographer’s Name], a three-time Tony Award nominee; [Music Director’s Name], a renowned pianist and composer; and [Cinematographer’s Name], who previously worked on [Previous Film Production].
THE RELEASE DATE
The Rocket Boys musical will officially premiere on [Premiere Date] at the [Theater Name] in [Location]. Tickets are now on sale, with special preview performances available for select audiences. Get ready to blast off on this thrilling adventure!
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I'm a huge fan of the 1999 movie October Sky and always thought it would make a great musical. A couple of years ago I went looking and was surprised to find that two separate musicals had been in development, going back almost 20 years:
One is called "Rocket Boys," the title of Homer Hickam's memoir, which Hickam himself was/is a consultant on, and the earliest version of which was first produced, according to their website, in 2005. In recent years it has been produced at Theatre West Virginia, including last summer.
The other is/was called "October Sky," and was first produced, at the Old Globe in 2016 by Universal, which had bought the rights to Hickam's memoir for the 1999 film.
What followed was a lawsuit, in which Hickam stated that Universal had ordered him to cease and desist developing the Rocket Boys musical because their original purchase of the rights to the story extended to stage adaptations as well as film. He argued that they were misrepresenting the terms of their purchase of those rights.
I can't find any update to what happened with the lawsuit, but the October Sky musical didn't seem to go anywhere, and the Rocket Boys musical still exists, so I'm really anxious to know more of the tea here. The couple of clips I can find of some of the October Sky songs are good. I can't find any clips from the Rocket Boys score, unfortunately, but visually it looks cool.
Who knows more about this than I do? Any libretto or clips for the surviving show available? Anyone know if Theatre West Virginia intends to produce it again? I want some version of this story to come to life in musical form for more people to see, one way or another!