‘Because of Winn-Dixie' Heads to Broadway
RSSBy SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 07/03/2009
Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie (2000), about the courage a girl gains from her new dog, is being made into a Broadway musical.
Although the talent and the timing of the show’s release is still unknown, what is known is that it is being produced by Patriot Productions and Dorothy Berloni and that the dog in the starring role will be trained by Bill Berloni, who has trained numerous animals for the stage over the last 30 years.
Patriot Production producers Gerald Goehring and Michael F. Mitri, as well as Dorothy Berloni, say they were struck by DiCamillo’s first children’s novel and were interested in the project for years.
“The message of the book is personal and affects so many people, including me,” says Goehring. “The opportunity to surround Kate’s story with top Broadway artists lends itself to creating an exciting new Broadway musical.”
Because of Winn-Dixie, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2010, was a New York Times bestseller and the inspiration for a popular film. DiCamillo is also the author of The Tale of Despereaux (2003), which won the Newbery Medal and was released as an animated feature film last year. Her book, The Tiger Rising (2001), was a National Book Award Finalist, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (2006, all Candlewick), was winner of a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.
The deal was developed by Charlie Schroder, former vice president at large for licensing and development for Candlewick Press. A creative team surrounding the project is expected to be announced by the end of the year.
"We are so thrilled about this opportunity and this team; they provide the perfect talents for bringing this show to life,” says Karen Lotz, Candlewick’s president and publisher. “Because of Winn-Dixie on stage will leave a whole new world of audiences smiling."
