The Tragically Hip’s songbook is getting the jukebox musical treatment under the guidance of Come From Away producer Michael Rubinoff.
Named after a Hip song, the show dubbed It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken promises to draw on the band’s deep catalogue of Canadian classics, including lyrics by late frontman Gord Downie.
WATCH | The official video for ‘It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken’:
Rubinoff will be assisted by fellow producers David and Hannah Mirvish.
“The Tragically Hip are a foundational part of Canadian culture and music. We are thrilled to support a musical that uses their music to tell a wonderful and uniquely Canadian story,” they said in a press release.
The book is written by Brian Hill, who worked on the Broadway musical The Story of My Life, and Ahmed Moneka, a nominee at this year’s Juno Awards for global music album.
Producers say the musical will premiere at Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius next year with plans to further develop the project at Toronto Metropolitan University’s theatre school.
An open casting call is set for March 9 at the Creative School Chrysalis at Toronto Metropolitan University.
The song “It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken” appeared on the Hip’s 2002 album In Violet Light.
“Some of the country’s best theatre makers have come together to create a show that honours our music,” said the Tragically Hip in a press release. “It’s exciting to see our songs interpreted in a new way that will continue to connect audiences, while supporting a compelling story for the theatrical stage.”