Queen and Ben Elton’s We Will Rock You, the worldwide smash-hit ‘rock theatrical’ built around 24 of Queen’s biggest hits, makes its anticipated South Florida premiere at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in the Ziff Ballet Opera House beginning Tuesday, December 10 through Sunday, December 15, 2013. We Will Rock You is part of the Broadway in Miami 2013-2014 subscription season presented by Bank of America.
This hilarious, multi-award-winning and record-breaking phenomenon is created by celebrated British comedian and writer Ben Elton (TV’s “Mr. Bean” and “The Young Ones”), and boasts a fantastic score of Queen’s biggest songs including “Another One Bites The Dust,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “We Are The Champions,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and, of course, “We Will Rock You.”
For the U.S. production, writer and director Ben Elton has redrafted his original script to resonate with U.S. audiences as well as reflect the cultural changes since he first penned the storyline.
“Apart from addressing the broader social and technological changes, I also get the chance to update moments of topical humor,” says Elton. New additions to the show include the most current pop culture references (yes, there is a Miley Cyrus twerking joke!) and the addition of another Queen song, “You’re My Best Friend.” “There is a scene where our two leads run away and discuss their loneliness and isolation,” Elton says. “In 2013, it seemed ridiculous for two kids to discuss friendship without reference to Facebook. Young people now live in a world where it’s possible to have many virtual ‘friends’ and ‘likes’ and yet still be entirely isolated and alone. The new dialogue with this changed emphasis brought the song You’re My Best Friend into the show.”
Tribeca producer Jane Rosenthal says, “With Ben’s updates, it’s almost a new show. However, in 
some ways, it was already ahead of its time when it opened in 2002. The overarching theme is a demand for individualism and intimacy in a world where everything is downloadable.” Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor are musical supervisors to the show, taking an active role in casting the singer/actors and musicians for every production worldwide.
We Will Rock You takes place in a future age on a planet once called Earth that is now controlled by a mighty corporation. Globalization is complete. Individuality is taboo. Everyone watches the same movies, wears the same clothes and thinks the same thoughts. Music is generated by the corporation’s computers, rock music is unheard and all musical instruments are banned. The hope of breaking free rests with an unlikely resistance – an alliance of rebel Bohemians, waiting for a hero to lead the battle to bring the power of rock back to the people.
The original production of We Will Rock You is a Phil McIntyre Entertainment, Tribeca Theatrical Productions and Queen Theatrical Productions presentation. Book and direction by Ben Elton. Music and music supervision by Queen/Roger Taylor and Brian May. Musical staging and choreography by Arlene Phillips. Production design by Mark Fisher and lighting design by Willie Williams. Sound by Bobby Aitken. Costumes by Tim Goodchild. Tracey Flye is the associate director and associate choreographer of the North American tour.
The performance schedule for We Will Rock You at the Ziff Ballet Opera House, Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, is as follows: Tuesday, December 10th at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, December 11th at 8 p.m.; Thursday, December 12th at 8 p.m.; Friday, December 13th at 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 14th at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, December 15th at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets for We Will Rock You are $26.00 – $96.00; “Ultimate Rock and Roll Party Pit” seats are available for $40.00. The Party Pit area consists of premium front row seats and encourages patrons to dress up and rock out during show as they channel their best Freddie Mercury. For tickets visit ArshtCenter.org, or call the Box Office at (305) 949-6722. Groups of 10 or more should call (786) 468- 2326 or (954) 626-7814.
For more information about We Will Rock You, please visit WeWillRockYou.com and SchoolsWillRockYou.com.
