Okay, pause your Spotify sad girl playlist because we have news. The iconic, sarcasm-soaked, emotionally confusing fever dream that is 10 Things I Hate About You is being turned into a musical.
Yes, you heard that right. It’s been over two decades since 10 Things I Hate About You graced our screens with its sharp wit, high school drama and unforgettable ’90s charm. The film that gave us Heath Ledger singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” on the bleachers. And Julia Stiles delivering a tear-stained poem that lives rent-free in our hearts is about to be born – with jazz hands!
10 Things I Hate About You took Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and gave it a 90s teen rom-com makeover. Directed by Gil Junger, the film starred Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles, whose breakout performances catapulted them to international fame. Now, the iconic high school love story is getting a new life on stage. Thanks to the creative minds of Carly Rae Jepsen and Lena Dunham, who are teaming up to bring this beloved classic to the musical theatre world.
Theatre kids, rise up. This one is for us.
What Is 10 Things I Hate About You About?
I’d advise you to skip reading this section if you have never watched the film before. Seriously, go watch the film! You wont regret it.
10 Things I Hate About You follows two sisters, Kat (Julia Stiles) and Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). Bianca wants to date, but their dad has a rule that she can only do so if her older sister Kat does too. The problem: Kat doesn’t like anyone and scares most boys away. To solve this, a boy named Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who likes Bianca, bribes Patrick (Heath Ledger), the toughest guy at their school, to try and date Kat.
At first, Patrick is only doing it for the money, but then he and Kat slowly start to like each other. When Kat finds out about the bribe, she gets very upset and leaves Patrick. In the end, Patrick makes it up to her and they get back together. The movie ends with Kat reading an iconicly emotional poem about her feelings, which captures the anger and passion of teenage love.
Since it came out, 10 Things I Hate About You has become way more than just a ’90s teen rom-com—it’s a cultural classic. With its sharp humour, unforgettable characters, and iconic scenes, it’s inspired countless teen movies after it. Thanks to streaming, audiences still continues to discover and love it, proving that this film’s charm truly stands the test of time.
So basically, get watching the film now. It is available to stream on Disney+, Apple Tv and Amazon Prime for rental.
The Beauties Behind The Theatre Performance
Pop singer and writer Carly Rae Jepsen, known for her infectious hits such as ‘Call Me Maybe’ and ‘I Really Like You’, embarks on another musical journey by composing the score for the film’s theatre adaptation. Her experience in the theatre world is notable, starring in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2014. Jepsen is set to collaborate with singer, writer, and producer, Ethan Gurska (who has previously collaborated with Jepsen on songs from her latest album, The Loveliest Time).
Lena Dunham, who will be making her musical theatre debut with this adaptation, is co-writing alongside Jepsen to bring the film to life. Celebrated for her romcom Netflix series, Too Much, Dunham is expected to bring a modern perspective to the adaptation.
10 Things will be directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, an international choreographer of contemporary ballet. Wheeldon has risen to the top of the dance world with remarkable work in Tony Award-winning MJ: The Musical on Broadway.
American composer and two-time Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize winner, Tom Kitt is set to conduct the score, with Mike Bosner set to produce the musical.
Expectations and Reactions
Will Kat still be the queen of teen angst? Will there be a full-blown dance number in the high school parking lot? A tap number for the iconic detention scene? Is it possible to sing passively-aggressively the whole time? So many questions with so many possible answers, only time will tell and we are so here for it!
The announcement of the movie adaptation has sparked excitement amongst musical theatre and film fans. Many expect to relive their teenage romance again through this musical adaptation, most anticipating the heavy notes of nostalgia. The biggest excitement of all is that Jepsen is writing the score. Jepsen is planning to diverge from the movie’s original alt-rock influences—so expect songs with a touch of pop in them! As well, Jepsen’s collaboration with Gurska aims to bring a contemporary sound to the production.
However, others have expressed scepticism, particularly regarding Lena Dunham’s involvement, citing concerns about her previous works in the TV show Girls and her public image.
Director Gil Junger, from the original film, has expressed his support for the musical adaptation, stating he believes “The project is in capable hands and looks forward to seeing it on stage.”
The musical aims to maintain the core themes of love and individuality seen in the movie, while potentially exploring more up-to-date romance issues we experience today. Expect to see the lives of Kat, Patrick, Cameron, and Bianca unfold onstage in some unforgettable moments from Padua High.
What Next?
Of course, the highlight of the musical will be Kat’s public declaration poem, just like the movie. Although the opening date of the musical has not been announced yet, fans are eager to see how this cult classic can be captured in a musical experience.
Can’t wait for the musical? Well, get this: three sequels are currently in the works! The trilogy will include: 10 Things I Hate About Dating. 10 Things I Hate About Marriage and 10 Things I Hate About Kids.
As the production progresses, fans are eagerly awaiting more details about the musical’s debut. I hate the way that the musical isn’t complete yet. And I hate the way we have to wait for updates… Get it?
