WaldenFans » Because of Winn-Dixie

In what I consider to be one of the most unexpected news items of the year, Because of Winn-Dixie, the hit 2005 film, is set to hit the stage as a new musical.  The movie, which starred Jeff Daniels and musician Dave Matthews, will be to converted into a theatre production by Avenue Q director John Tartaglia.  In a way, this makes sense, as I believe that Walden Media has created a few other stage shows in the past.

The production will follow the exploits of a young girl who befriends a stray dog she finds at a Winn-Dixie supermarket.

Producers have tapped Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik and Nell Benjamin to compose the songs and lyrics, and an Irish wolfhound called Taran will lead the cast.

The programme will begin workshop readings this spring and producers ultimately hope to take the show to Broadway.

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As a consultant to the president of Walden Media between 2001-2005, he played an important role in the development and marketing of a number of films like The Chronicles of Narnia, Ray, Holes, Amazing Grace, I Am David, Joshua, Because of Winn Dixie and several others. In 2004 Mr. Joseph put that experience to work as producer on two short films, Cupid and The Bridge, which he co-produced with producer Ralph Winter (X-Men, Fantastic Four) Currently, Mr. Joseph is developing five film projects, The Crusader, Sensei, In His Image, Amakusa and Starmen. He is also a co-founder of the Damah Film Festival.

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