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“Nine” dazzles from stage to film

Yesterday on Nov.18, Oprah welcomed part of the cast for the upcoming film musical “Nine” to her show. “Nine” is the film adaptation of the original stage musical of the same name. The original musical first debuted in 1982 and is based on Frederico Fellini’s autobiographical film “8 1/2.” The musical’s story recounts the life of film director Guido Contini celebrating his recent and greatest cinematographic success. However, Contini’s success is juxtaposed against the background of the director’s fortieth birthday and impending midlife crisis which saps his creative energy and ensnares him in a web of romantic difficulties in 1960s Venice. Original lyrics and score were composed by Maury Yeston for the musical. Apparently Yeston penned the title as “Nine” for the stage show because he decided that with music, the story of 8 1/2 would be “half a number more.”

The beautiful women of "Nine"

We’re very excited that Hollywood is undertaking a film version of this sultry stage musical – particularly because choreographer and director Rob Marshall will be at the helm. The last time that Marshall took the reigns and convinced an all-star cast to sing and dance he brought in 13 Oscar Nominations. Of course we’re referring to the film hit “Chicago” starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere. Interestingly, the cinematic style “Nine” adopts looks very close to what we saw in Marshall’s last success. From the trailer peeks it looks like there will be fantasy/imaginary musical numbers going on in Contini’s mind just like we saw take place in Roxy’s world in “Chicago.”

This time around, the star-studded cast includes: Daniel Day-Lewis in the lead as Guido Contini, Marion Cotillard as his wife, Penelope Cruz as his mistress, Judi Dench as his confidante, Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson as his first sexual experience with a whore, Kate Hudson as his admiring American writer, Nicole Kidman as his muse, and Sophia Loren as his mother.

The film tries to highlight the glamor and glory that was Italian cinema in the 60s, as well as Guido’s struggle to write a script while his world is spinning out of control – all the while finding some comfort and inspiration from the different women in his life.

Enjoy the trailer below and get excited for the film’s release this December: