In the latest edition of Hollywood Mad Libs, we have the new project from Spike Lee, who is set to direct a feature musical about the creation of Pfizer’s erectile dysfunction pill, Viagra.
According to Deadline, Spike Lee has signed on to direct a film musical that he wrote with Kwame Kwei-Armah about the creation of Pfizer’s most famous drug, Viagra. Lee’s musical will feature songs written by Stew Stewart and Heidi Rodewald, who previously created the Tony-winning musical “Passing Strange.”
The musical is based on the Esquire article by David Kushner titled “All Rise: The Untold Story of The Guys Who Launched Viagra.” The film will chart the discovery of Viagra from its roots as a heart medication to the unintended side effects that helped solve the problem of erectile dysfunction. The report claims the title of the musical will likely not be “All Rise,” considering that’s the title of a recent CBS drama series.
“First And Foremost, I Thank Ms. Jacquelyn Shelton Lee,” said Lee. “I Thank My Late Mother For As She Would Say Taking ‘My Narrow,Rusty Behind’ Dragging, Kickin’ And Screamin’ To The Movies When I Wuz A Nappy Headed Kid Growing Up In Da Streets Of Da People’s Republic Of Brooklyn. I Did Not Want To See Corny People Singin’ And Dancin’. I Instead Wanted To Play With My Friends On Da Block, Stoop Ball, Stick Ball, Punch Ball, Soft Ball, Basketball, 2 Hand Touch, Tackle Football, Coco Leevio, Johnny On Da Pony, Hot Peas And Butter, Crack Top, Down Da Sewer And Of Course-Booty’s Up. All The Great New York City Street Games That Might Be Sadly Lost Forever. My Father, Bill Lee, Jazz/Folk Bassist,Composer HATED HollyWeird Movies, Henceforth And What Not, Me Being The Eldest Of 5 Children I Became Mommy’s Movie Date. She Was A Cinefile. Thank You Lawdy She Didn’t Listen To My Ongoing Complaints About Musicals. So Finally Going Into My 4th Decade As A Filmmaker I Will Be Directing A DANCIN’,ALL SINGIN’ MUSICAL Spike Lee Joint And I Can’t Wait. My Moms Has Been Waiting TOO!!! And Dats Da Rodgers And Hammerstein Truth, Ruth.”
There’s no release date set for the new musical but it’s expected to be the next feature directed by Lee. In 2020, he released two films, the feature “Da 5 Bloods” and his concert film, “David Byrne’s American Utopia.”