Tony winner Kevin McCollum (Rent) and TV Producer Michael Novick (Glee) have teamed up to adapt and produce the Leila Sales music-centric novel, This Song Will Save Your Life, for both the screen and the stage, EW reports. Following misfit teenager Elise Dembowski who has a passion for music but little skill in making friends, she finds a family in the indie rock scene as she DJs at an underground nightclub.
Sales’ reaction to their optioning of her novel could not have been better.
Like most music lovers, I am such a fan of Kevin and Michael’s work, so it’s an honor to have this project with them. I can’t wait to see how they interpret this story. I bet it’s going to be very rock ‘n’ roll– just how Elise would want it!”
According to McCollum, the two were drawn to Sales’ story because they “thought the journey of the main character was compelling, and the way she weaves her story and the songs together is unique.”
This year’s Begin Again– another music infused story– was originally titled Can A Song Save Your Life?, but was changed between its festival premiere and its release. It will be a case of cinematic fate then, if Sales’ original title sticks.