Kerry Washington is the latest star name to be attending The Prom at Netflix.

The movie, which is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, is the latest project from the ever-prolific Ryan Murphy. The Glee and American Horror Story creator has an excusive deal in place at Netflix and he has wasted no time in lining up movies and series for the streaming giant, including The Politician, Ratched – a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prequel – and Hollywood.

Murphy added The Prom to the list this year, describing the original stage show as “one of the most uplifting, heartfelt and special musicals I have ever seen on Broadway”.

He’s mounted an impressive guest list, including Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Awkwafina, James Corden, Keegan-Michael Key and Andrew Rannells. Washington is the latest to add glitz to the starry affair.

The film will follow Dee Dee Allen (Streep), who teams with Corden’s Barry Glickman in a flop musical about Eleanor Roosevelt. After career-ending reviews, they decide – along with Broadway newcomers Angie (Kidman) and Trent (Rannells) – to champion a cause to rehabilitate their careers. They find one in Emma, a senior pupil in an Indiana high school who isn’t allowed to take her girlfriend to the prom. Key will play Dee Dee’s love interest and Awkwafina will play a publicist.

Washington’s role isn’t confirmed yet, but she is no stranger to Netflix, with her film American Son produced by the streaming giant and recently premiering at TIFF.

Awkwafina, Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman attend Netflix’s The Prom

25th June 2019

Awkwafina, Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman will be going to The Prom with Netflix.

The movie, which is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, is the latest project from the ever-prolific Ryan Murphy. The Glee and American Horror Story creator has an excusive deal in place at Netflix and he has wasted no time in lining up movies and series for the streaming giant, including The Politician (out on 27th September), Ratched – a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prequel – and Hollywood.

Murphy added The Prom to the list this year, describing the original stage show as “one of the most uplifting, heartfelt and special musicals I have ever seen on Broadway”.

“It’s truly an original that celebrates the underdog and says in a loving spectacular way that LGBTQ rights are human rights. I feel a special connection to it because it’s set in Indiana, and that’s where I grew up, too,” he said.

Now, he’s putting together his guest list, and it’s an unsurprisingly starry bunch, with Awkwafina, James Corden and Ariana Grande all tapped to star, alongside Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, plus Keegan-Michael Key and Andrew Rannells.

Streep will play two-time Tony winner Dee Dee Allen and Corden will play Barry Glickman, while Rannells will play actor Trent Oliver, Kidman will play chorus girl veteran Angie Dickinson, Grande will play the daughter of the PTA head, Key will play Dee Dee’s love interest and Awkwafina will play a publicist.

Ryan Murphy to adapt Broadway musical The Prom for Netflix

10th April 2019

Ryan Murphy will adapt Broadway musical The Prom for Netflix.

The feature film will be a “movie event” for the streaming giant, made in conjunction with the musical production’s creative team.

“THE PROM is one of the most uplifting, heartfelt and special musicals I have ever seen on Broadway,” Murphy said on Instagram, where he announced the project. “It’s truly an original that celebrates the underdog and says in a loving spectacular way that LGBTQ rights are human rights. I feel a special connection to it because it’s set in Indiana, and that’s where I grew up, too.”

Created by Jack Viertel with a book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, plus music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Beguelin, the musical is a comedy about Broadway stars on a mission to change the world, a girl who wants to change her small town, and a love that brings them all together.

“I’m thrilled to announce I’m turning it into a MOVIE EVENT for Netflix,” Murphy added, “and I’m bringing producers Bill Damaschke and Dori Berinstein and the amazing creative team with me – Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, Tony Award winner Bob Martin, Tony award nominee Matthew Sklar and Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin. See it first at the Longacre Theatre. It has a musical score that will leave you singing for days, a hilarious and moving book and some of the most showstopping direction, choreography and performances I’ve ever seen on Broadway.”

It marks a rapidly growing array of Murphy projects in the works for Netflix, where he has an exclusive overall deal, including The Politician (out on 27th September), Ratched – a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prequel – and Hollywood.