New Jersey's McCarter Theatre Center will stage the world premiere of Empire Records, a new musical comedy based on the 1990s cult-classic film, during its 2024-2025 season.

Trip Cullman (Choir Boy, Lobby Hero) will direct the production, which is set to run September 6-October 6 at the Princeton venue. Ellenore Scott (Funny Girl) will choreograph.

The musical adaptation features an original rock score by Zoe Sarnak and a book penned by the film’s screenwriter, Carol Heikkinen.

Empire Records tells the story of a band of idealist misfits fighting to save their beloved record store from a corporate takeover. The team comes together during a visit by over-the-hill pop star Rex Manning to discover the true value of friendship, love, and music.

“From Our Town to Anna in the Tropics to Vanya, Sonya, Masha and Spike, McCarter has a legacy of premiering bold, new work on our stages that go on to have vibrant lives on Broadway and beyond. Empire Records is set to be another landmark event in McCarter’s storied history,” said Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen in a statement. “In the intimate Berlind Theatre—and with a limited run—it's the unmissable live performance event of the fall.”

Added Executive Director Martin Miller, “Empire Records bridges generations, from the vinyl enthusiasts of Gen X to the streaming aficionados of Gen Z, and reminds us of a time when record stores were not just retail spaces, but vibrant hubs for discovering music and forging friendships. It's a tribute to an era before playlists, when every record was a story waiting to be heard.”

Casting, additional creative team members, ticket information, and the remaining titles for McCarter’s 2024-2025 Theatre Series will be announced at a later date.

The film Empire Records was released in 1995 by New Regency Productions. The forthcoming musical is produced by special arrangement with Bill Weiner, Hunter Arnold, and Cody Lassen.

Visit McCarter.org.