Duncan Sheik to Compose 'American Psycho' Musical

Drenched in equal parts blood and hit '80s pop tunes, Bret Easton Ellis' novel "American Pyscho" chronicled the fissured state of mind of Patrick Bateman, a homicidal New York yuppie who harbored a taste for designer suits and blunt instruments. The 1991 novel's runaway success spawned a movie starring Christian Bale, which opened in 2000. A musical theater adaptation has been in the works for a while and now appears to be on the fast track, with Duncan Sheik signed on to compose the songs.

Sheik, who won two Tony Awards for "Spring Awakening," will write the music and the lyrics for the show, it was announced on Tuesday. Playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is set to write the book. In a statement, Sheik said that after re-reading Ellis' novel this summer, "I came to feel that what some people (including myself) may have seen as an over-the-top literary folly of the early nineties was in fact a pretty timeless tale of alienation and solipsism."

He added: "And, really, what could be more subversive fun than murderous bankers breaking into song?”
Sheik's score will channel the spirit of the '80s alongside pop hits from the era, according to promoters. They did not say when or where the musical will be staged. Most recently, Sheik worked on the musical "Whisper House," which currently is running at the Old Globe in San Diego. Aguirre-Sacasa is an accomplished playwright who has recently been working on HBO's series "Big Love." His new play, "Doctor Cerberus," is set to have its world premiere at South Coast Repertory beginning April.
David Ng - Credit: Vintage Books
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