10 Things I Hate About You Transforms into a Broadway Musical – Find Out What to Expect!

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We’re absolutely bursting with enthusiasm for this fresh musical – there’s barely any room left!

Approximately two decades following the debut of the 1999 film “10 Things I Hate About You,” which catapulted the careers of Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger into stardom, this cherished production is now set for a Broadway run.

The upcoming film, a stage adaptation of the movie inspired by “Taming of the Shrew,” featuring stars like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Allison Janney, is set to have its script co-written by Lena Dunham, creator of Girls, and Jessica Huang, playwright. The music for this production will be composed by Grammy nominee Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Gruska.

The movie, set in high school, showcased Kat Stratford’s character as a strong-willed teenager who develops feelings for Patrick Verona, played by Ledger, and ends with Stratford reading a heartfelt poem aloud about the “10 things” she dislikes most about Verona, among which is her inability to truly dislike him.

In celebration of the news, Jepsen and Dunham shared their excitement for their upcoming project. 

working on this fantastic project with an equally fantastic team!

In response, Dunham playfully hinted at a potential return to the fictitious Padua High School from the movie, posting on her Instagram Story, “Preparing my school bag with binders, tightening my braces, and clipping butterflies – we’re off to Padua High!

As a lifestyle expert, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be part of an upcoming Broadway musical, serving as both director and choreographer – none other than the two-time Tony Award winner, Christopher Wheeldon. Additionally, the talented Tom Kitt, also a two-time Tony Award winner, is on board as the music arranger and orchestrator. Our production has a unique partnership with Buena Vista Theatrical, owned by Disney Entertainment, under the guidance of producer Mike Bosner. While we’re keeping the cast and release date under wraps for now, rest assured that this project promises to be something truly special!

Delve into the exclusive backstage insights as we uncover the fascinating story of how the movie adaptation of “10 Things I Hate About You” was brought to life.

During their on-screen blossoming romance, Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger were reportedly dating off-camera by some of their co-stars on the DVD commentary. This added real-life relationship to their film romance makes the movie even more captivating, much like the legendary romantic pairs in “The Notebook” or “Twilight”.

Moreover, Heath was Julia’s first onscreen kiss.

In 2014, Stiles reminisced about his late co-star to Us Weekly, describing him as extraordinarily kind and impactful. At such a young age, he was an incredibly strong and captivating individual, a truly remarkable human being, Stiles recalled. The experience of working with him was simply amazing, he added.

2016 saw Stiles opening up a bit more to Australia’s ABC. He shared, “Heath and I lost touch after filming ended, but when I learned about his passing, I was deeply saddened and taken aback. He was an immensely powerful individual, full of life, particularly during the most dynamic phase of his life.

The screenplay was penned by debut film writers Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz, who later wrote movies like Legally Blonde, Ella Enchanted, She’s the Man, The Ugly Truth, and The House Bunny.

As a lifestyle expert, I can share my personal experience: Back in 2015, when we embarked on the journey of creating a teen movie, the groundbreaking work of Amy Heckerling left a profound impact. When her modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, titled Clueless, graced our screens, I was captivated by her genius in contemporizing a classic. This inspired us to attempt something similar, and we chose Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew as our source material.

We spent countless hours on a sun-kissed beach in Mexico, meticulously deciding which storylines we wanted to preserve, update, and how to approach the transformation. Once we had a clear vision, we sketched out each character and the narrative that would become the backbone of our movie.

They corresponded from afar, exchanging pages using the rapid delivery service, Airborne Express.

It’s clear that the bold Kat embodies a contemporary flair, and the whole film exudes a lively, clever, and sharp energy as a result.

McCullah described their work to BuzzFeed News as “badass and full of mirth.”

Smith stated, “Our creations are bold, witty women with an unyielding self-assurance that can be considered revolutionary. They may not realize it, but they’re making a significant impact on the world as they go.

Smith recollected receiving a message which asked, “What’s causing her anger?” To clarify, McCullah mentioned, “They failed to grasp that at times, being a teenage girl means dealing with numerous frustrations and annoyances, which can lead to anger.

McCullah and Smith hastily completed their revision on a teen romance screenplay when they learned that Disney’s Touchstone Pictures was keen on producing one. Their goal was to submit their work before another script, titled “School Slut,” which the studio had already purchased.

Somehow, that one didn’t end up getting made. By Disney.

The title of the victorious film “10 Things I Hate About You” was drawn from a genuine list that author McCullah created about her high school boyfriend.

The title for the winning movie, “10 Things I Hate About You,” came from a real list made by author McCullah about her high school boyfriend.

She mentioned during an interview with UCTV that the title originated from a diary entry she wrote in high school. At that time, she had a boyfriend named Anthony whom she often felt unhappy with. She created a list titled “Things I Hate About Anthony.” When Kirsten and she started writing this piece, she delved into her old high school diaries to refresh her memories of those turbulent times. Upon sharing about the list with Kirsten, she reacted, ‘That’s our title.’

Furthermore, “Anthony takes great pride in that detail,” McCullah noted. “We remain friends to this day. Occasionally, I’ll receive an unexpected call in the dead of night: ‘My nephew doubts that the title refers to me. Inform him.’ Over the phone, I might say, ‘Yes, I used to dislike Anthony at school.’

Producer Andrew Lazar reminisced, “We encountered countless actors, but it wasn’t until halfway through our search that we discovered a truly exceptional girl who seemed ideal for the main role – that was Julia Stiles. From thereon, our focus shifted towards finding a suitable male actor to star opposite her.

Imagining this film with a different cast in the lead roles is quite challenging. However, let’s take a moment to consider an alternate scenario: Larisa Oleynik, known for her fame from Nickelodeon’s ‘The Secret World of Alex Mac’, was keen on portraying Kat. And this led to speculation, later proven false, that Julie Stiles might have been interested in the role of Bianica.

Whaaat?

Initially, it was possible that neither Stiles nor Ledger would have played the crucial roles of Kat and Patrick. Instead, Josh Hartnett was considered for Patrick, and he even auditioned with Eliza Dushku, who had recently made a name for herself as Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Andriew Lazar, the producer, reflected on the outstanding performances of the three possible male leads he mentioned. He emphasized that a massive number of actors were considered before narrowing it down to Stiles, following numerous auditions.

According to casting director Marcia Ross, speaking to The New York Times in 2019 for an oral history on the film, Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger had exceptional chemistry together. She was fond of Katie Holmes, who was soon to land Dawson’s Creek, but we needed to make a quick decision. Another actress I admired was Kate Hudson. However, her mother didn’t appreciate the script for her role, so she declined the offer.

It seems like those names are quite recognizable. High school was a draw for Hartnett, who was the popular guy in “The Virgin Suicides”, and Dushku, whom we continue to applaud from her days in “Bring It On”. Additionally, Goldie Hawn recognized the potential in Hudson for “Almost Famous”, for which he received an Oscar nomination.

I tried out for both Kat and Bianca right until the final moments, and my heart was set on Kat. In hindsight, I believe I was so fixated on showing them who I truly was, that by the time I reached the Bianca scenes, I had become more nonchalant – ‘Oh, alright, whatever.’ And I suspect this attitude helped me land the part, as I was incredibly laid-back about it.”

(This version attempts to maintain the original meaning while using simpler and more natural language.)

It’s not surprising at all that Oleynik seemed like a perfect fit for Kat, considering she went on to study at Sarah Lawrence College – the very institution the older Stratford sister had dreamt of attending, located in New York.

In 2006, she expressed to Girls’ Life that college was her most satisfying decision yet. She had a clear ambition to attend school for four years, specifically in New York. Her favorite subjects were writing workshops, where she delved into poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting. These classes provided a nurturing and productive environment. The camaraderie among students was admirable – everyone respected each other’s ideas, and no one claimed to have all the answers.

Regarding Stiles, she confided in Entertainment Weekly that “I yearned for this role. It was invigorating to encounter a rebellious teenage girl. I felt the writers infused their humor with a touch of skepticism, which isn’t common in typical teen romantic comedies.

As a hopeful thespian on the audition circuit, I found myself frequently vying for commercial roles where I was consistently advised that my demeanor lacked sufficient bubbliness. Often, they perceived me as angry rather than passionate. Yet, when I encountered the role of Kat, it felt like a tailor-made opportunity – a perfect fit for my unique acting style!

Turns out Joseph Gordon-Levitt and David Krumholtz wanted each other’s parts too!

As a die-hard fan, I had always dreamed of embodying Cameron on screen, but fate had a different plan. You see, I’ve collaborated with Gil on numerous TV projects before, and he was convinced that I could slip into the role of Michael as easily as slipping into a pair of comfortable shoes – portraying a neurotic Jewish kid being my specialty. And here’s the kicker: I knew Joe yearned to play Michael too.

Gordon-Levitt shared that he auditioned not only for the part of Krumholtz but also his own role since he found it amusing. Later, Gil decided to cast him as Cameron instead.

In an interview for the 10th-anniversary DVD supplements, director Gil Junger explained that the role of Patrick Verona was intricate and demanding. He required an actor who could exude masculinity effortlessly, yet maintain intelligence. Furthermore, he needed to be detached or removed, and possess unparalleled charm. In simpler terms, Gil Junger sought a versatile actor capable of embodying a complex character with ease.

Australian actor Heath Ledger, still unfamiliar on the American stage, captivated all who witnessed his audition with an undeniable screen presence. As Karen McCullah put it, “he was simply electric.

According to Ledger, Hamlet was the role he yearned to play above all others, but The Taming of the Shrew’s character Petruchio ranked a very close second. He expressed that the current opportunity was the closest he had come to portraying Petruchio thus far, showing off his broad grin in the process.

During another interview, the 18-year-old stated, “I’m drawing inspiration from Richard Burton’s portrayal of that character in the well-known film adaptation of ‘The Taming of the Shrew.’ However, my version of Patrick also incorporates a touch of Jack Nicholson’s charm and mischievousness through his wit and smiles.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding whether Heath Ledger could have appeared to consume a live duck, as some rumors suggested about Patrick, the actor himself remained enigmatic when he eventually showed up on set during filming, having just finished working on the Australian television series “Roar.

David Krumholtz wrote for Vulture in 2015, “We’d just heard tales from the producers about a charming and good-looking Australian from Perth who had a captivating grin. We had formed such close bonds among ourselves … We wondered how someone named Heath could possibly fit into our circle of friends.” But soon they discovered that “our group became even stronger with Heath in it.

In her role at the age of 27, Gabrielle Union was nearly a decade older than her on-screen peers in the movie. However, as anyone who watched Bring It On in 2000 can attest, age was (and continues to be) merely a figure for the exceptionally youthful-appearing actress.

In an interview with the Times, Union shared that she was significantly older than some of her co-stars who were still in high school. This made her wonder about the gap between her current age and her character’s high school years, and if it would seem strange for her to play a 15-year-old. She also requested not to discuss Earth Wind & Fire or reveal her actual age.

Padua High School, in reality, is Stadium High School located in Tacoma, Washington. This public institution stands above Commencement Bay and was initially designed to be a luxurious hotel. As a result, its structural design bears the resemblance of a French chateau.

1891 saw me witnessing the commencement of a grand project that would later captivate my heart. However, the Panic of ’93 sent investors fleeing, leaving this magnificent structure unfinished, serving as nothing more than a storage shed until a devastating fire ravaged it in ’98. But fate had other plans, for in 1904, I was overjoyed to learn that my beloved Tacoma School District had acquired its shell. The brilliant mind of local architect Frederick Heath brought the unfinished masterpiece to completion, and by 1906, it stood tall and proud, ready to impart knowledge upon eager minds like me.

The 15,000-capacity Stadium Bowl, where Patrick performed his routine, is jointly owned by Stadium and Woodrow Wilson High School.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on how Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Larisa Oleynik graced our screens as an on-again, off-again teen couple in “3rd Rock From the Sun.” This remarkable role served as a bridge between his child and teenage stardom for JGL, and since then, he’s never turned back.

Admitting his honest feelings, Gordon-Levitt confessed that he wasn’t keen on starring in a high school romantic comedy back then. Instead, what he truly desired were roles in independent films like those shown at Sundance. Fortunately, five years later, he was able to fulfill his dream. In essence, he was a young and unaware or pretentious 17-year-old.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I found myself in an unexpected situation when Andrew Keegan strayed from his artistic comfort zone, sketching an unintended design on my face – a design that was, shall we say, not typically associated with fine art. In another scenario, if Mike were to share a groundbreaking idea with Joey, I would be the one providing some guidance or suggestions to ensure its successful execution.

In an interview with Huffington Post in 2014, Krumholtz reminisced about instructing Andrew Keegan on how to draw a well-proportioned phallus on his face. This was somewhat unusual, but he reassured the apprehensive Keegan, saying, “I draw lots of these. Begin with the head, followed by the shaft, and don’t forget the scrotum. Add some hair to the scrotum. It’s a well-shaped one. It’s slightly erect. It’s nearly done.

In 2019, as he read the New York Times, Keegan agreed with their sentiment. He admitted, “Honestly, I wasn’t aware of how to draw a caricature on someone’s face, and it seems David was the one who provided creative guidance for that.

In simpler terms, the founder of Full Circle, a spiritual and wellness center in Venice, California, stated, “I’ve been familiar with that situation throughout my adulthood, so I believe I did quite well.

Krumholtz remarked, “People continue to joke, ‘Don’t I have a beard on my face?’ and it’s stuck with me ever since. Yet, in an oddly satisfying way, it’s been a part of my existence for good.

In an interview with Broadly, Smith recalled seeing Kat’s room for the first time and thinking, “Why does this room look like this?” He was displeased with the music, as he had imagined a more hardline, riot grrrl soundtrack. However, he was wrong in his assumption, and it ultimately turned out well. This experience taught him that sometimes, as an artist or writer, you can hold onto the idea of how something should be, but true collaboration may result in an even better outcome than initially imagined.

A notable change: Initially, Kat and Bianca’s mother was part of the story, but her character has been transformed into an absent parent who left, adding a more realistic backdrop for Kat’s constant defensive demeanor.

At the house party, Stiles’ spontaneous and exuberant dance on top of a table to Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” unexpectedly secured her a position as a ballet dancer with ambitions for Juilliard in Save the Last Dance.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d share that in my discussions with the Times, I pondered over the idea of inviting Paula Abdul to choreograph a particular scene, but unexpectedly, Stiles stepped up and offered to take charge and sort it out independently.

I couldn’t muster the nerve for such a move these days, but boy, am I grateful someone captured it on camera! Dancing is my passion, yet, performing provocatively atop a table was a bit beyond me back then. I guess you could say I was green as grass. Rumor has it that very scene was the key to landing my role in Save the Last Dance. The director told me he’d seen that video, and that’s when he realized I wasn’t just a ballet dancer, but could also groove to hip-hop!

The entire movie was filmed in the Seattle-Tacoma region, starting from the opening scenes that showcased an aerial perspective of Kerry Park and Queen Anne Hill, through to the Stratford family’s five-bedroom Victorian house on North 28th Street (which was sold for $1.54 million in the spring of 2018), and ending at Lake Union, where Kat and Patrick enjoyed a pedal boat ride.

Initially, the play required Patrick to court Kat using the Partridge Family’s “I Think I Love You.” Later, it was changed to the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself.” However, Ledger pushed for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” during the grand musical performance where Patrick serenades Kat, aided by the school marching band. Moreover, he took charge of the scene that became an iconic moment in the production.

In 2017, Smith shared that he was incredibly particular about the outfit he desired; it had to be a specific kind of dark shirt with an exact fit. Interestingly, when you watch the movie, the ensemble appears quite ordinary, but seeing him carefully select and tailor his costume for preparation was truly remarkable, given that he was just 19 years old.

Was there any connection between Jerry McConnell serenading Neve Campbell with “I Think I Love You” in Scream 2 (1997), and Austin Powers already charming the fembots to “I Touch Myself” that same year – a song Kat likely wouldn’t have been interested in – and the subsequent changes?

In a remarkable performance, Stiles poured out her raw emotions while reciting her poem spontaneously, causing unexpected tears that seemed genuine.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan UK back in 2015, the actress explained that her actions weren’t deliberate. She added that on some level, she sensed she was meant to show emotion during the performance, as during the table read, she recalled merely reciting the poem instead of it feeling like reading the phone book.

Initially, I hadn’t anticipated that I would start crying. I can’t quite pinpoint why I did. It might have been due to something happening at the moment, or perhaps it was because the entire process of creating my first major film was simply too overpowering for me.

In the movie “14 Things I Hate About You,” there’s a slight mismatch between the event that unites the plot and the title itself. However, it’s understandable why they chose “14 Things I Hate About You” instead.

Simultaneously, Stiles shared with the Times, her feelings were likely a mix of happiness and sorrow as the shoot had ended, yet she also admitted to being incredibly vulnerable.

She mentioned Heath, recalling an instance when, during their turn for his reaction shot, he commented something along the lines of, “I don’t need to act because this scene isn’t about me.” Often, one actor may cry in a scene and feel compelled for the other to do the same, but he knew how to maintain composure. I found that quite impressive.

Hmm.

Letters to Cleo, the band that played at the club, prom, and closed the film with “I Want You to Want Me” on the roof of Padua High (Kay Hanley and Michael Eisenstein teamed up with Save Ferris for a rendition of “Cruel to Be Kind”), can be seen as the unofficial in-house band for the movie 10 Things I Hate About You. They boosted their already substantial indie rock reputation with this added dash of mainstream popularity. The band disbanded in 2000, but they later reunited for a reunion tour and released the EP Back to Nebraska in 2016.

Indeed, it was undoubtedly the band consisting of singer Hanley, guitarists Eisenstein and Greg McKenna, bassist Scott Riebling, and drummer Jason Sutter who were perched up on that rooftop.

Hanley, known for supplying Rachael Leigh Cook’s singing voice in Josie and the Pussycats, recounted to the New York Times that we were all perched precariously on a tiny rooftop secured by chicken wire, potentially plunging to our deaths into the Puget Sound. He continued, describing how as the music began playing, we acted out a music video scene. As we heard the helicopter overhead, it suddenly dived towards us. We performed this twice, and it was generally believed that the shot wouldn’t turn out well, and Gil might never make it in Hollywood again due to squandering nearly half a million dollars on this forbidden shot. However, it ultimately became a memorable scene.

Adaptations of popular movies into TV shows often fail to capture the magic, and this was true for the short-lived ABC Family (now Freeform) sitcom “10 Things I Hate About You” from 2009-’10 – not because it was poor quality, but simply because the original movie was exceptionally well-done.

In her initial review, the New York Times’ critic Alessandra Stanley expressed that while adapting the movie into a TV series called “10 Things” seems almost disrespectful given its iconic status, she found it neither terrible nor unbearable; at times, even enjoyable. However, she noted that it lacked originality.

Lindsey Shaw and Ethan Peck (the grandson of Gregory), admirably took on the roles of Kat and Patrick, while Meaghan Martin and Nicholas Baum gave impressive performances as Bianca and Cameron. However, with some viewers having a stronger attachment to the original series, comparisons were unavoidable and those who were more nostalgic than eager for something new may not have been fully engaged.

Despite the challenges that come with remakes, our reimagined series managed to captivate a loyal following for 20 episodes. Prior to the final ten airing in the spring of 2010, I shared with Pop Sugar my conviction: “Given its origins, there were numerous obstacles we faced. People often resist remakes because they hold the original close to heart. Yet, our goal was to create something fresh and engaging, and I believe we’ve achieved that.

Speaking about Peck, who assumed a challenging part by not just taking over a cherished character but also one previously portrayed by an actor who had passed away, “The pressure was always self-imposed, speaking for ABC Family and the television series. We knew that our goal wasn’t to replace anything or anyone. Instead, we approached it with earnestness, open hearts, and open minds, which I believe is why we find ourselves in the position we are today.

Following their termination, series creator Carter Covington expressed to EW.com that it felt similar to a breakup: “It’s as if someone has ended the relationship with you. You’re left thinking, ‘Hold on a minute. We had something fantastic together. Why would they leave me?’

Discussions arose about a sequel to “10 Things I Hate About You,” but a film with a similar tone, titled “10 Things I Hate About Life,” began production in 2012. However, this project, featuring Evan Rachel Wood and Thomas McDonnell as two individuals who cross paths while both contemplating suicide, never saw the light of day.

However, director Gil Junger, working alongside producer Andrew Lazar once again, kicked off production enthusiastically. “We were eager to secure a vibrant, youthful cast,” Lanz expressed to Vumanity, “yet it turned out, as we commenced auditions, Evan Rachel Wood – similar to Julia Stiles before her – simply dazzled everyone with her talent, depth, and emotional range. Consequently, we decided on her.

As an overjoyed fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the casting process that took six attempts to find the perfect fit for a co-star alongside Wood. And let me tell you, we struck gold! The chemistry between McDonnell and Wood was nothing short of electrifying, as Lazar described it. Plus, Skylar Grey added an amazing cool-live-music vibe to her role in Letters to Cleo, a perfect match for the production.

The manufacturing process came to a stop in February 2013 as the CEO of Intandem, the British firm funding the movie, resigned from their position.

By that point, Wood had already been pregnant with her son, who was born in July. However, the new CEO of Intandem stated that the production was postponed due to her pregnancy and would restart in September. Contrary to this, in June 2014, 10 Things Films sued Wood for breach of contract, alleging she received $300,000 initially and then appeared to back out from finishing the film during principal photography, ultimately rejecting her obligations under the contract without any legal grounds and instead abandoning the project.

According to a representative from Wood, the claim that he wasn’t prepared to return to work in November 2013 is absurd. The representative explained that Wood was indeed ready to resume work as scheduled, but the producers were unable to organize themselves properly even after the promised date.

It’s no wonder that everyone associated with 10 Things I Hate About You, along with countless others, would love to have Heath Ledger here for the movie’s 20th anniversary. Sadly, he wasn’t around even for its 10th anniversary, as he passed away in 2008 due to an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

Krumholtz expressed that he deeply admired Heath,” he said to the Times. “As time passes and the movie becomes more significant to newer viewers, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to accept the fact that Heath died in such a tragic way. I would have been overjoyed if he could be included in this piece, recognized for his exceptional performance in 10 Things I Hate About You, as he put in a tremendous amount of effort on that film.

Gabrielle Union recollected that Heath possessed a unique talent: when he looked at you, it was as if you were Princess Diana in a crowded Hollywood scene, feeling special and acknowledged. This is an exceptional trait, one that isn’t often highlighted, she added.

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2025-04-23 21:49