'Winn-Dixie' aims for Broadway

A tuner version from the novel "Due to Winn Dixie" is incorporated in the works. Story also inspired a 2005 film. BenjaminSheikTartagliaA musical version of dog-centric tale "Due to Winn Dixie," with tunes by Duncan Sheik, has started mapping out Broadway plans which include a developmental reading through this spring.Nell Benjamin ("Legally Blonde") creates it and lyrics for that show, which is helmed by John Tartaglia, whose Rialto thesping credits include "Avenue Q" and "Shrek the Musical."The only real actor to sign onto the project to date is definitely an Irish Wolfhound named Taran, triggered board underneath the proper care of veteran Rialto animal trainer Bill Berloni, who'll function as animal director on the program.Dog assists because the lead character from the musical, in line with the 2000 Kate DiCamillo novel which inspired a 2005 pic. Story focuses on a stray dog who helps a youthful girl embrace existence and reunite together with her father.Producers estimate the show is going to be allocated between $six million and $7 million, having a cast around 15 stars. Team is shooting for any mid-size Rialto house around 1200 seats.Sheik, who acquired a Tony for his score to "Spring Awakening," can also be at the office on other stage projects which include the brewing legit version of "American Psycho."Gerald Goehring, Michael F. Mitri and Dorothy Berloni lead the creating team of "Winn-Dixie." Goehring and Mitri also make the tuner version of "A Christmas Story," presently playing a national tour throughout the holidays.Exact dates for that "Winn-Dixie" reading through haven't been set, having a production timeline, including an out-of-town tryout, still to become hammered out. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com