The Robertson family of the A&E show "Duck Dynasty" wants to expand their brand from the screen to the stage in a new musical called "The Duck Commander Family Musical."
The 90-minute show about the family's rags-to-riches story hopes to open in February at the Rio All-Shuites Hotel and Casino, according to The New York Times. Broadway producer Michael David ("Jersey Boys) will lead the production based on Willie Robertson's 2012 book "The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a Dynasty."
"We've enjoyed the process of making a musical alongside the team who is interested in telling the Robertson family story from an outside perspective," Robertson, the chief executive of the Duck Commander company, told the Times.
Actors will play the Robertson family members in the musical, but the show will feature video of the real Robertsons. Duck hunting will have a part in the production that will also include family anecdotes and a 14-song score that mixes country, blues and show tunes. The likely opening number is "Faith, Food and Family," according to the Times.
The family has approval rights over the script and casting. The show will not satirize the Robertsons.
The show about the evangelical Christian family, who's patriarch Phil Robertson made some disparaging remarks about gay people in an interview with GQ magazine last December. David plans to include the remarks into the musical even though they offended him and the director Jeff Calhoun, who is gay. Both were already involved in the production when Robertson made the comparison of homosexuality to bestiality.
"The Robertsons are so unusual, their story so juicy, and theater shouldn't be limited to telling stories about people you resemble or revere," the producer said.
Other Broadway producers have voiced their concern with the show as have gay rights leaders. The Las Vegas location may also keep conservative Christians away from the Sin City show, produced by a group of New York artists.
"The show will end up challenging the views and assumptions of people across the political spectrum, more than most theater does," David said.
"Duck Dynasty" will open its seventh season on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 9 p.m. on A&E.
