It's not every day that one of our favourite 90s comfort films gets turned into a Broadway musical. It's also not every day that iconic writer Lena Dunham gets tapped to do it. But in the case of 10 Things I Hate About You, that's exactly what's happened. The high school rom-com is officially heading to the theatre, nearly three decades after it first hit cinemas, and Dunham has been charged with the honour. The film, which debuted in 1999, has long been considered a cult classic, known for its witty dialogue, sharp feminist edge, and unforgettable performances. So, what will this musical adaptation have in store? All the important details, below.
Who is involved in the 10 Things I Hate About You Broadway adaptation?
As mentioned, Lena Dunham is helming the adaptation, under the banner of her production studio, Good Things Going. Dunham is sharing co-writing duties with acclaimed playwright Jessica Huang. As for the musical side of things, the job of writing the score has fallen to Carly Rae Jepson. She's co-writing alongside producer Ethan Gruska, who also worked with Jepson on her most recent album, The Loveliest Time. While we haven't heard much of Jespon in the musical world, we'd guess
her knack for emotionally resonant pop melodies makes her a perfect fit for capturing the highs and lows of teen romance.
Also working on the adaptation is Tony-winning director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, plus music supervisor, arranger and orchestrator Tom Kitt.
As for the cast, there are big shoes to fill, with the movie originally brought to life by Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Alison Janney. We're yet to hear who has been afforded this honour, but one thing's for sure, they'll need to be a triple threat.
When will the 10 Things I Hate About You musical open?
Details are scant on an opening date. It's also not yet clear if the musical will travel beyond Broadway, or if we'll need to book a ticket to New York to catch a glimpse. Insiders have, however, suggested a workshop is slated for late 2025, with a full production potentially hitting the stage in early 2026. We'll keep you updated as we know more.
In the meantime, we'll be keeping busy speculating about which iconic moments from the film—from Kat’s poem to Patrick’s serenade—will make it into the final production.
