EXCLUSIVE Big Broadway news: Gwyneth Paltrow, Oscar winner, website owner, cookbook author, is launching a new career. Paltrow has agreed to co-produce a Broadway musical. The show is based on the music of the GoGo’s, the California New Wave girl group of the early 1980s. Paltrow’s partner in the endeavor is Donovan Leitch, son of the 60s rock and folk icon Donovan, of “Mellow Yellow” and ‘Sunshine Superman” fame.
The pair have enlisted Jeff Whitty of “Avenue Q” fame to write the book, and I’m told it’s almost done. The GoGos’ iconic hits included “We Got the Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed.” I’m told the idea is for a jukebox show with a twist– it will be set in the 1600s and based on surprising source material that can’t be revealed yet. “It’s all still in the early stages,” says Leitch, who wisely secured the GoGos’ rights a while ago.
The project sounds like such a winner that last night at Sting’s Gucci-hosted after party at Indochine, The Public Theater’s Oskar Eustis had his interest piqued when it was being discussed. Several other Broadway biggies have expressed enthusiasm as well. I’ve always been a fan of Donovan’s. My money is on him. And Gwyneth, as we know, is no slouch.
