Just when Broadway seemed to have exhausted its pipeline of movie adaptations, along comes a glitter bomb of Eurovision proportions. Will Ferrell’s pandemic-era Netflix hit “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” is taking its sequined dreams to the Great White Way — and honestly, where else could this wonderfully bizarre spectacle truly belong?
The 2020 film landed like a much-needed hug during those isolated lockdown days. Remember watching Rachel McAdams and Ferrell belt their hearts out as the charmingly earnest Icelandic duo Lars and Sigrit? That particular brand of joy is getting ready for its second act, with Ferrell himself picking up the pen alongside Harper Steele and Anthony King to craft the stage adaptation.
“We’re more than excited to bring Eurovision to Broadway,” Ferrell announced, practically radiating the same infectious enthusiasm that made the film such a comfort watch. And really, who better to translate this celebration of musical excess and heartfelt determination than the man who lived and breathed it from the start?
Speaking of perfect matches — the creative team reads like a Broadway fantasy draft. Alex Timbers, fresh off his triumphant runs with “Moulin Rouge!” and “Beetlejuice,” is stepping in to direct. His knack for theatrical spectacle seems almost too perfect for Eurovision’s particular brand of fabulous excess. “The film lifted spirits during a very dark time,” Timbers noted, and don’t we all still need a bit of that magic?
Sure, the original movie didn’t exactly sweep critics off their feet (that 63% on Rotten Tomatoes tells its own story). But sometimes critics miss the point entirely — the film’s heart and unabashed celebration of musical dreams struck a chord with audiences that still resonates. Those earworms like “Ja Ja Ding Dong” and the Oscar-nominated “Husavik” are getting another shot at glory, with original songwriter Savan Kotecha returning to expand the score.
The Eurovision organization’s stamp of approval doesn’t hurt either. Martin Green, speaking for the contest that’s been uniting Europe through the power of power ballads since 1956, seems confident they’ve found the right team to capture that distinctive Eurovision magic.
For Netflix, this marks another calculated step into the theatrical realm, following shows like “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.” As streaming subscriptions plateau heading into 2025, the company’s clearly betting on Broadway’s enduring appeal to diversify its entertainment portfolio.
While we’re all dying to know who’ll don those spectacular costumes (and let’s be honest, they’ll have to be even more outrageous for Broadway), the production timeline remains under wraps. But perhaps that’s for the best — some things are worth waiting for, especially when they involve flame-throwing pianos and epic key changes.
In these fractured times, couldn’t we all use a dose of Eurovision’s particular brand of unity through gloriously over-the-top entertainment? After all, if there’s one thing Broadway knows how to do, it’s turning spectacle into pure theatrical magic.