King Kong Tickets

By: Book by Jack Thorne, with Music by Marius de Vries
Songs by: Eddie Perfect
Director: Drew McOnie
Producer: Global Creatures and Roy Furman
Cast list: Christiani Pitts (as Ann Darrow), Eric William Morris (as Carl Denham), and Erik Lochtefeld (as Lumpy)
Design: Peter England
Lighting: Peter Mumford
Costume: Roger Kirk
Choreography: Drew McOnie
Sound: Peter Hylenski
Other info: Creature designed by Sonny Tilders, Aerial and King Kong Movement Direction by Gavin Robins, Music Supervision by David Caddick, and Hair
Design: by Tom Watson

After eight years in the making, a 20-foot-tall, animatronic silverback gorilla — weighing more than 2,400 pounds — stomps his way to Broadway in “King Kong.” Based on the 1933 film of the same name, the musical features a book by Jack Thorne (“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”) and a score by Marius de Vries (“La La Land”) and Eddie Perfect.

For his latest blockbuster, filmmaker Carl Denham is on the search for the perfect leading lady. When he stumbles upon Ann Darrow on the streets of New York City, he hires her on the spot — and ships her off to Skull Island to begin production. Upon their arrival, Ann is abducted and taken by the monstrous Kong into a secluded spot on the island, where she is held hostage. Jack Driscoll, a member of the crew, journeys into the jungle to rescue Ann and — in doing so — captures Kong. The beast is taken back to New York City and subjected to public ridicule. But Ann has found a soft spot for the monster and sets out to save him.

Recommended for ages 8+. Children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

What to watch for

In the musical version of “King Kong,” the story is told from the perspective of Ann. “In this version, she’s incredibly strong and compassionate and thoughtful,” says actor Christiani Pitts.

The onstage Kong is controlled by a group of 14 puppeteers and aerialists and 16 microprocessors.

While Kong’s major moves are preprogrammed, one of the offstage puppeteers can tweak them in real time so the monster interacts naturally with the set and the actors.

Kong’s arms are made of a high-pressure inflatable tube, which prevents the onstage actors from getting crushed and absorbs the impact when he pounds his fists into the ground.

Kong packs about 1,000 feet of electrical cable and 16 microprocessors.