“Weird Al” Yankovic has dared generations of fans to be stupid (complimentary). Now he’s going to do the same to Broadway itself (again, complimentary), with a new “Weird Al” musical, Dare to Be Stupid.
Seaview Productions is developing a new Broadway show (we first heard about at The Hollywood Reporter) based on the music of the pop culture parody icon. Yankovic is writing it along with Scott Brown and Anthony King, the team behind both Gutenberg! The Musical! and Broadway’s Beetlejuice. Tony-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Oh, Hello) will direct.
The show will feature songs spanning “Weird Al’s” entire catalogue. It will include (at least): “White & Nerdy,” “Amish Paradise,” “Eat It,” “Smells Like Nirvana,” and “Like a Surgeon.” Plus, you know, the whole thing is also named after the titular album song “Dare To Be Stupid.” We figure there’s a good chance his Devo-style parody will also make the cut.
“Ever since I was a middle-aged man, I’ve always wanted to be a part of the New York theatre community,” said Yankovic in a statement. “Plus, the one thing people always say about Broadway is that it’s ‘severely lacking in Weird Al-based entertainment,’ and I think this musical should fix that problem immediately.”
I know he’s being funny about Broadway lacking Weird Al-based entertainment, but we feel that way sincerely. But it doesn’t sound like the musical will just be a jukebox-style show. “Dare to Be Stupid feels like the kind of musical that only comes around once in a while — wildly original, deeply funny and powered by the unmistakable heart that has made ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic a singular voice in American culture,” said Seaview CEO and show producer Greg Nobile. “Beneath the absurdity and the joy, is a show about creativity, individuality and the freedom to be unapologetically yourself.”
That’s what Weird Al has always been about. Now Broadway will get to show live audiences why.