J.J. Abrams producing Broadway comedy

J.J. Abrams is co-producing a comedy play for Broadway.

The 50-year-old filmmaker is best known for his directorial roles on sci-fi productions such as ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and ‘Star Trek’, but he has now decided to turn his talents to comedy as he takes on ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’.

The play was originally made for audiences in London’s West End, and is now being transferred over to New York City where it will land a spot on Broadway.

Abrams will be joining a team of producers led by New York stage veteran Kevin McCollum, along with London producer Kenny Wax, who led the play to success on the West End.

A long-time fan of the theatre, both Abrams and McCollum – who previously produced versions of ‘Rent’ and ‘Avenue Q’ – became fans of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ when they managed to catch a performance whilst visiting London.

The play centres around an amateur actors group who attempt to perform a 1920s murder mystery play with disastrous – and hilarious – consequences.

Having ran in the West End since 2014, the play has also spawned two more titles in the franchise, ‘The Comedy About a Bank Robbery’, and ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’.

On Broadway, the play is expected to open in April at the Lyceum Theatre and will star the original West End cast, including co-writers Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields.

‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ is the Broadway producing debut for Abrams, whose next piece of work for the big screen will be ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’.

Previews for ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ begin on March 9 2017, just under a month before the April 2 opening date.

Pre-sale tickets start at the low price of just $15 for balcony seating, and range up to $25 for seats in the front mezzanine.