Vanessa Williams has promised that fans of The Devil Wears Prada will be able to hear Miranda Priestly’s lines from the beloved film in the new musical adaptation of the hit movie.
The production will see Williams, 61, take on Meryl Streep’s iconic role as the fearsome magazine editor during its run in London’s West End.
Giving fans an update on what to expect when the show kicks off later this year, Williams revealed that theater-goers will be delighted to witness several famous lines from the film.
“A lot of the dialogue is taken from the movie, so what you’ll hear me say on stage is the dialogue that people know and love and have memorized,” he told Good Morning America on Tuesday.
‘The first number I perform is called Miranda’s House. On the last words, I sing “That’s it!” and I walk away. You’ll understand that this is the movie from the beginning. My first lines are “Emily! Emily!” so the audience knows, “Oh God, she’s coming.”‘
Vanessa Williams has promised that fans of The Devil Wears Prada will be able to hear many of their favourite movie lines in the new musical adaptation.
The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel and the hit 2006 film starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt (pictured, left to right).
While some have been skeptical of the decision to turn the film into a musical, Williams argued that it makes perfect sense.
“The Devil Wears Prada is a perfect movie… That’s why it has a future and stands the test of time,” said the former Miss America. “This is another step in taking something that is perfect to another genre and making it spectacular.”
He continued: “You’ve got the lines that people know and you’re adding music to them. You’re adding layers to it, it’s going to make it bigger and better.”
The music for the piece was created by legendary British musician Sir Elton John, and Williams revealed that the two enjoyed a collaborative experience in bringing the songs to life.
“I grew up with Elton John, like all of us,” she said. “As the pop star, the icon that he is.
“For him to write new music and hear my voice and what I do with it and be inspired and say ‘I’ve got something we can do, let’s do it.’ Making him smile and making him feel good and happy… that’s iconic.”
The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling 2003 novel and the hit 2006 film that grossed $326.7 million worldwide on a budget of $35-41 million, on its way to two Oscar nominations.
As many Ugly Betty fans will know, this isn’t the first time the actress has taken on a role in which she plays a fierce boss at a fashion magazine.
Williams will play Miranda Priestly, the powerful editor-in-chief of the fictional New York City-based fashion magazine Runway.
Streep made her breakthrough in the role in the 2006 film, which grossed $326.7 million at the worldwide box office.
Asked why he enjoyed playing a villain, Williams replied: ‘When you play the villain, when you play someone so over the top, it’s quite liberating.
“It allows you to sit in your fierceness, something you don’t often get the chance to do.”
As for what role fashion will play in the production, she explained: ‘I guarantee you there will be coats thrown and bags placed on desks.
“You’ll see fashion, you’ll see it beautifully worn and executed amazingly. The runway sequences will be incredible!”
The interview comes just a day after it was revealed that Disney is working on a sequel film, nearly two decades after the first theatrical release.
The story will follow Priestley and his career in the present day, when traditional magazine publishing is in decline.
While the return of the original cast has yet to be confirmed, it has been claimed that both Streep, 75, and Emily Blunt, 41, who played Emily Charlton, will be back.
Previews of The Devil Wears Prada will begin at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, England, ahead of the West End premiere at the Dominion Theatre on October 24.
It was revealed this week that Disney is working on a sequel film and that Streep could reprise her role.
Disney has also recruited screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, who adapted the original 2006 film.
Until then, fans can enjoy preview performances of the new musical at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from 6 July to 17 August. The play will officially open at the Dominion Theatre in the West End in October.
Williams, who made his Broadway debut in 1994’s Kiss Of The Spider Woman, leads a cast that includes British actor Matt Henry playing Nigel, as well as Georgie Buckland (Andy), Amy Di Bartolomeo (Emily), Rhys Whitfield (Nate) and James Darch (Christian).
The new production is being directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell with set design by Tim Hatley, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Bruno Poet, sound design by Gareth Owen and casting by Jill Green CDG.
The musical features lyrics by Shaina Taub.
