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Who would’ve known that the same drug manufacturer that created the erectile dysfunction drug would produce one of the leading breakthrough vaccines for COVID-19? And who would’ve known that Spike Lee, the man who brought us BlacKkKlansman, School Daze, and She’s Gotta Have It, would be directing a movie musical on the miracle drug better known as Viagra?
Written by Lee and British playwright Kwame Kwei-Armnah, the musical is based on a 2018 Esquire article that tells the story of how Viagra was invented and marketed to some of America’s most powerful institutions.
The original songs and music will be written by Tony-winning songwriters Stew Strewart and Heidi Rodewald from the musical “Passing Strange.”
The Morehouse College alumnus showed just how excited he is for his first musical in a statement acquired by Deadline:
“First And Foremost, I Thank Ms. Jacquelyn Shelton Lee,” he said. ” I Thank My Late Mother For As She Would Say Taking “My Narrow,Rusty Behind” Dragging, Kickin’ And Screamin’ To The Movies When I Wuz A Nappy Headed Kid Growing Up In Da Streets Of Da People’s Republic Of Brooklyn. I Did Not Want To See Corny People Singin’ And Dancin’.”
He also shouted out his father, Bill Lee, who “HATED HollyWeird movies,” which resulted in him taking his father’s place as his mother’s movie date.
“She Was A Cinefile. Thank You Lawdy She Didn’t Listen To My Ongoing Complaints About Musicals. So Finally Going Into My 4th Decade As A Filmmaker I Will Be Directing A DANCIN’,ALL SINGIN’ MUSICAL Spike Lee Joint And I Can’t Wait. My Moms Has Been Waiting TOO!!! And Dats Da Rodgers And Hammerstein Truth, Ruth.”
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