The 1999 teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You is moving to Broadway as a new musical scheduled to begin performances Aug. 17, 2027. Lena Dunham and Jessica Huang are writing the book, while Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Gruska are creating the music and lyrics for the stage adaptation.
Key Takeaways
- 10 Things I Hate About You will begin Broadway performances Aug. 17, 2027.
- Lena Dunham and Jessica Huang are writing the musical’s book.
- Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Gruska are writing the music and lyrics.
- Christopher Wheeldon will direct and choreograph the production.
- Casting and the Broadway theater have not been announced.
The Broadway production has a scheduled performance start date of Aug. 17, 2027, bringing the film property to the stage as a musical adaptation. The project is based on the 1999 teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, which centered on two sisters dealing with romance, school life and their different approaches to teenage expectations.
The production combines writing, music and choreography from creators with backgrounds in film, popular music and Broadway theater. Dunham and Huang are responsible for the book, while Jepsen and Gruska are writing the music and lyrics.
The project joins a Broadway slate that includes other adaptations of established screen and music properties. A separate Broadway musical based on Prince is also scheduled for 2027, with Purple Rain set to begin previews in March before its official opening in April.
Christopher Wheeldon will direct and choreograph the musical. Tom Kitt will handle music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations.
The production has not yet announced its Broadway theater or casting. Those details will determine the venue and performers for the scheduled 2027 run.
The musical’s story follows two sisters as they navigate “crushes, cliques, and teenage angst” while trying to establish their identities on their own terms. The stage version is described as a story about growing up, discovering yourself and refusing to follow other people’s expectations.
Lena Dunham and Jessica Huang Write the Musical’s Book
Dunham is writing the musical’s book with Huang. The book will provide the stage adaptation’s dialogue and dramatic structure while the songs and choreography are developed by the rest of the creative team.
Dunham is known for creating, writing, directing and starring in HBO’s Girls. Her work on the series earned eight Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe Awards.
She also wrote and directed the Netflix series Too Much. Her other recent work includes the upcoming Netflix film Good Sex, which stars Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, Meg Ryan, Rashida Jones, Tramell Tillman and Tucker Pillsbury.
Huang is an award-winning playwright and Juilliard graduate. Her works include Mother of Exiles, The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin, Blended 和 (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters and The Birth of the Pill.
The pairing gives the musical two writers responsible for adapting the original story for a stage format. Their work will form the book that connects the characters and plot with the new songs and choreography.
The original film was written by Karen McCullah and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith. The Broadway musical therefore uses a new creative team to develop the story for a different medium.
Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Gruska Create the Score
Jepsen and Gruska are creating the music and lyrics for the musical. Jepsen became known internationally through her 2012 hit “Call Me Maybe” and has released albums including Kiss, E•MO•TION, Dedicated and The Loneliest Time.
Her previous theater experience includes the title role in the 2014 Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She also played Frenchy in Grease: Live.
Gruska is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and musician who has worked with Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Remi Wolf, Conan Gray, John Legend, Ryan Beatty and Jepsen.
He has also released three solo albums, including Slowmotionary in 2017 and En Garde in 2020.
The musical pairs Jepsen’s songwriting work with Gruska’s production and songwriting background for its original score. Their responsibilities cover the music and lyrics rather than the book, which is being written separately by Dunham and Huang.
The division of roles gives the production separate creative leads for its script and musical material. Kitt will oversee the musical arrangements and orchestrations as part of the production’s broader music team.
The production is part of a Broadway season that includes new works, revivals and adaptations. A look at the Broadway 2026 season includes productions spanning established properties and new stage projects.
Christopher Wheeldon and Tom Kitt Join the Production
Wheeldon will direct and choreograph the Broadway musical. He is a two-time Tony Award winner whose Broadway credits include An American in Paris and MJ the Musical.
His Tony wins include recognition for choreography on both productions, and he also directed both shows. His role on 10 Things I Hate About You combines the staging and choreography responsibilities.
Kitt will serve as music supervisor while also handling arrangements and orchestrations. His Broadway résumé includes composing Next to Normal, If/Then, Almost Famous, Flying Over Sunset, High Fidelity and Bring It On: The Musical.
He has also worked as an orchestrator on productions including Hell’s Kitchen, Jagged Little Pill, The SpongeBob Musical and American Idiot.
The musical is produced by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical. The producing team includes Bosner, whose Broadway producing credits include Shucked, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and the Glenn Close-led revival of Sunset Boulevard.
The production’s creative responsibilities are therefore divided among the book writers, composers and lyricists, director and choreographer, and music supervisor. The Broadway theater and performers remain to be announced.
Original Film Cast and Story Return to the Spotlight
The stage musical is based on the 1999 film directed by Gil Junger. The movie starred Julia Stiles as Kat Stratford, Larisa Oleynik as Bianca and Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt played Cameron James, who falls for Bianca and becomes involved in a plan connected to Kat. The cast also included David Krumholtz as Michael, Andrew Keegan as Joey Donner, Gabrielle Union as Chastity, Susan May Pratt as Mandella, Larry Miller as Walter and Allison Janney as Ms. Perky.
The film adapted William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew for a late-1990s American high school setting. Its central conflict involved Bianca’s desire to date and her father’s requirement that Kat also date before Bianca could pursue a relationship.
The film was released March 31, 1999. It earned more than $53 million worldwide and became associated with the careers of Stiles, Gordon-Levitt and Ledger.
The film’s place within the history of screen-to-stage adaptations also fits a long-running theatrical practice of bringing movie stories into musical form. A selection of classic movie musicals includes films that have connected cinema, music and theatrical performance across different eras.
Ledger’s performance as Patrick included a rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” performed from the school’s football stadium with the marching band. The scene became one of the film’s recognizable musical moments.
Ledger was 19 when 10 Things I Hate About You was filmed. He died Jan. 22, 2008, at age 28 from an accidental overdose of prescription medications. His performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight was released months after his death and earned him a posthumous Academy Award for best supporting actor.
The Broadway adaptation retains the film’s central focus on the two sisters while introducing new music and a new stage creative team. Its scheduled performance date is Aug. 17, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the 10 Things I Hate About You Broadway musical begin performances?
The musical is scheduled to begin Broadway performances on Aug. 17, 2027. The production has not announced its Broadway theater.
Who is writing the 10 Things I Hate About You musical?
Lena Dunham and Jessica Huang are writing the book. Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Gruska are writing the music and lyrics.
Is Carly Rae Jepsen involved in the Broadway musical?
Yes. Jepsen is writing the music and lyrics with Ethan Gruska. She previously appeared on Broadway in the 2014 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
Who will direct and choreograph the 10 Things I Hate About You musical?
Christopher Wheeldon will direct and choreograph the production. He is a two-time Tony Award winner with Broadway credits including An American in Paris and MJ the Musical.
Has the Broadway cast been announced?
No Broadway cast has been announced. The production has also not announced its Broadway theater.
