Pure Country: musical based on the film of the same name, to play Broadway in 2008/09

A new musical, based on the 1992 film of the same name, Pure Country, will have its World Premiere as part of the 2008-09 Broadway Season. The production will begin previews in Spring 2009, with exact dates and a theater to be announced.

The musical will be directed by Peter Masterson, who also co-wrote the book for the musical with Rex McGee, and will feature a score by Steve Dorff, with lyrics by John Bettis.

Complementing the musical�s Creative Team is scenic designer Derek McLane, costume designer Ann Roth, lighting designer Kevin Adams and the sound designers Acme Sound Partners. In addition, choreography will be by Se�n Curran.

Pure Country tells the story of Rusty, a country music superstar at the height of his career with all the high stakes pressures that come with it. When they start to take their toll and he walks out of an overblown concert tour, his search begins to find himself � and the love he left behind.

Pure Country is based on the 1992 Warner Brothers� film of the same name, written by Rex McGee and directed by Christopher Cain. It starred George Strait (in his film debut), Lesley Ann Warren, Kyle Chandler and Rory Calhoun (in his final film appearance).

The films' soundtrack went to number 1 on the U.S. Country Album Chart and spawned two number 1 Country singles, 'Heartland' and 'I Cross My Heart.' Both songs were written and co-produced by Steven Dorff, the composer of the musical, and have been added to Dorff�s otherwise new and original score for the musical Pure Country.

Casting and dates for Pure Country will be announced in the coming months.

Peter Masterson (Director and co-librettist), is a film, theater writer and director who is best known as the co-writer and co-director of the hit Broadway musical 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' (1978 original & 1982 revial).

Steve Dorff (Score) is a 3-time Grammy nominee and 6-time Emmy nominee, and has written nine number 1 songs and 15 Top Ten hits (including such classics as Kenny Rogers� 'Through the Years,' Celine Dion�s 'Miracle' and the Country staple and hit movie theme 'Every Which Way But Loose' by Eddie Rabbit).

John Bettis (Lyrics) is a 2-time Emmy nominee, 3-time Grammy nominee and Golden Globe and Oscar nominee. His songs have sold over 250 million records worldwide (writing everything from George Strait�s �Heartland� to Madonna�s �Crazy for You�).

Rex McGee (Co-librettist), is a prot�g� of the legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder, wrote the original Warner Brothers film Pure Country, on which the new musical is based.