Bill and Ted’s Most Excellent Rock Opera

Bill and Ted’s Most Excellent Return

By Mikii B

STAAAAAAAAAATIOOOOOOONNNNNNN! 

The most intelligent scientist in the universe

Most excellent news dudes! It has just been brought to our attention that, yes, our favorite duo will be returning in the most triumphant way. We’ve seen them on the big screen, we’ve seen them as cartoons and even on our cereal boxes. However, we haven’t seen the Wyld Stallyns like this before, on stage, right where they belong. That is correct dude and dudettes, Bill and Ted will be having their own Rock Opera that is slated to premier on Broadway sometime in 2027, titled Bill and Ted’s Most Excellent Rock Opera. With this recent boom of movies into musical adaptations, it was just a matter of time. Heathers, Beetlejuice and even Back to the Future have all had their cult classic to broadway makeover. Okay, I am aware that Back to the Future was in fact one of the biggest blockbusters of all time. However, it still remains to be an 80s movie that wasn’t a musical that turned into a musical. Now that’s cleared up, let’s continue! 

the Wyld Stallyns

We have recently been given some insight on what production has been working on thanks to Playbill’s Logan Culwell-Block as he had the chance to sit down with Chris Matheson, one of the original screenwriters for the Bill and Ted trilogy. Joined by Matheson was project producer Russel Miller and composer Jason Lyter. The story seems like it will be following the first movie, as Bill and Ted will be rushing against the clock to create the most excellent history report of all time, by creating a live rock opera for San Dimas High. We will be seeing the return of iconic characters such as Beethoven, Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, and Genghis Khan. As well as, the always interesting Sigmund Freud and waterpark loving, ice cream addicted, Napoleon. The play will be written by Chris Matheson, and produced by Freedom Theatricals and Radar Pictures. 

Now, here’s where things get interesting. The Bill and Ted team has enlisted the help of Emerson College, Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory to help develop the story for the stage. They have recruited talented student actors, musicians and designers for this project. When asked why, Russel Miller of Freedom Theatricals told Playbill, “We wanted to challenge the traditional development model by partnering with Emerson and Berklee, we’re creating an environment where students aren’t simply observing the process, they’re helping shape it. New work thrives on fresh perspectives, and there is tremendous value in putting emerging artists at the center of a show’s earliest development.” When it comes to the sound of the musical, Lytle said to Playbill, “The goal has been to capture the humor, heart and unpredictability of these characters while building a musical language that works in the theater. It’s been a chance to explore everything from rock and metal to more intimate moments, all in service of the story.” 

My friend and I's excellent halloween costumes.
Alex Winter Approved!

In the same interview, Matheson said of Bill and Ted, “At its heart, the story is still about friendship, music, and the idea that optimism can change the world. We need to play with each other, in the end that’s what Bill and Ted is all about.” The little girl in me who used to constantly check BillandTed.org everyday for news in middle school and once made her and her best friend dress up as Bill and Ted for halloween is ecstatic over hearing this amazing news. I just hope they actually get it out by 2027 and it’s not a situation like Bill and Ted 3. That movie was announced when I was in middle school and by the time it finally came out, I had received a whole college degree. 

Though, one can’t help but wonder… Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have recently reunited and this time it was on Broadway. They came together for Waiting for Godot, so would it be too much for us to expect them to reunite again for this next Bill and Ted project? They now have the esteem credentials. 

Just remember to be excellent to each other and that SAN DIMAS FOOTBALL RULES! See you on Broadway my friends.