Olivia Colman, Woody Harrelson and Chlöe Bailey will star in the big screen adaptation of “Girl From the North Country,” a Broadway musical featuring the music of Bob Dylan. The musical originated at the Old Vic in London and had an off-Broadway run in 2018 at the Public Theater before heading to Broadway. However despite positive reviews, the musical struggled to sell tickets post-COVID and closed after its months-long stint. It has since played in the West End, Toronto and Australia.
“Girl From the North Country” will use Dylan’s music library, including “Forever Young,” “All Along the Watchtower” and “Like a Rolling Stone,” to score the Depression-era story about Midwesterners who cross paths at a turning point in their lives. According to a synopsis, “based in 1934 in Duluth, Minn. during the Great Depression, “Girl From the North Country” centers on a group of wayward travelers as their lives intersect in a guesthouse. Things are spiraling out of control for proprietor Nick Laine (Harrelson), whose wife Elizabeth (Colman) is suffering from dementia. All the while, the bank is foreclosing on their home and their adopted daughter Marianne (Bailey) has a closely guarded secret that no one can explain. But when an escaped convict Joe Scott (Tosin Cole) seeks shelter at the guesthouse, a relationship develops between Marianne and Joe that will change everything for everyone forever.”
Dylan himself has given his approval of the film adaptation. sharing in a statement: “To be associated with Conor is one of the highlights of my professional life. It goes without saying the man is a genius for putting this thing together and I’m thrilled to be a part of the experience. My songs couldn’t be in better hands. The play had me crying at the end. I can’t even say why. When the curtain came down, I was stunned. I really was.”
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