'Carmen: The Musical' to be directed by Franco Dragone targeted to open on Broadway 2006/2007

Robin de Levita, Dragone and The Firm have announced the creative team for Carmen: The Musical, based on the classic 1845 novel by Prosper M�rim�e, directed by Franco Dragone.

With music by John Ewbank, and a book by Sarah Miles, a developmental staging will be work-shopped later this year, with a Broadway production targeted for the 2006/07 season.

Franco Dragone has been the creative vision behind Cirque du Soleil for the past 15 years, directing the productions of Nouvelle Experience (1990), Alegria (1994), Quidam (1996), La Nouba (1999), Myst�re (1993) and �O� (1998). His awards include three Obies and the Los Angeles Critics� Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Composer John Ewbank has been turning out hit records in the Netherlands for the past 15 years, the English-born, Dutch-raised writer/producer�s music can also be heard in numerous European movie scores, including the recent Floris, Zien and Superstition, as well as Quentin Tarantino�s True Romance.

Book-writer and Choreographer Sarah Miles studied dance at the Royal Ballet and went on to perform in film, television and on the stage before becoming involved in choreography with the likes of Rob Marshall. Her credits include Blake Edwards� Victor Victoria, Stephen Sondheim�s Company, and �Forum (with Nathan Lane).

Production notes say "Carmen: The Musical is set in the background of war-torn Spain, featuring one of the theatre�s most iconic characters. The raw emotional power of Flamenco is used to tell the story, along with dramatic original contemporary music, shaped with the indelible stamp and vision of one of the most innovative directors of our generation."

Carmen: The Musical producers are Robin de Levita Productions, DRAGONE and The Firm.