There are certain music-centric films in the 90’s that defined a generation. Empire Records probably isn’t one of them. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a huge faction of 90’s kids who grew up idolizing the Empire bunch, envious of their record store gigs, musical taste and Music Town uniforms (well, maybe not that last one.) Some may argue with calling Empire a “cult classic;” that take is wrong. Empire has a rabid fanbase that just can’t get enough of Mark’s antics, Lucas’ bizarre philosophies and Rex Manning’s haircut. This writer included.

Original screenwriter Carol Heikkinen is teaming up with composer Zoe Sarnak to create a Broadway version of the (yes) cult classic with an anticipated premiere of 2020. The news arrives just in time for nerds like me who celebrate Rex Manning Day every April 8th. Please see below. Thank you.

Rex Manning Day Supercut

Happy Rex Manning Day!

In our streaming world of instant gratification, a movie like Empire might seem like a dinosaur. Released in 1995, the movie featured an impressive bunch of actors who were all bubbling just below the surface, ready to break out. Renée Zellweger, Liv Tyler, Ethan Embry, Robin Tunney, Rory Cochrane and Johnny Whitworth played the record store employees, all of whom worked for Joe, played by Anthony LaPaglia. Directed by Allan Moyle, the movie followed the employees as they tried to save their store from being bought by a large retail chain called Music Town, while they also navigated the complexities of being young kids trying to figure out their dramas. All of this while prepping for an in-store appearance from a washed-up pop star named Rex Manning (Maxwell Caulfield). There’s tons of 90s lewks, rock and punk tunes, and absolutely hilarious quotables. You probably never, ever want to watch this movie with me. OR MAYBE YOU DO….maybe you do.

In a conversation with Rolling Stone, musical producer Bill Weiner spoke about the movie’s lasting power and explained why it was the perfect film to bring to Broadway.

“The film has developed a cult audience over the years, and addresses issues that people of all ages can identify with,” he said. “It also evokes an interesting period in time, the Nineties, where the music business was changing – and a lot of people remember that as part of their youth. I knew we had something when I would tell people about the show and consistently see faces light up – everyone has a story, whether it’s that they saw the movie 10 times, stole the video cassette from an older sibling or the soundtrack was the first CD they ever purchased.”

Original Empire Records writer, Carol Heikkinen, is on board to adapt her script for the musical. I am on board to start freaking out this Rex Manning Day.