'The Bridges Of Madison County' Is Becoming A Musical

For all of you diligent fans who have been waiting with bated breath for "The Bridges Of Madison County" to become a musical, your time has come.

The romantic Robert James Waller novel about a photographer and a farmer's wife falling in love was originally published in 1992 and became a bestseller and then a film in 1995, directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Eastwood and Meryl Streep. The film grossed over $175 million in theaters, and earned Streep an Academy Award nomination.

The New York Times reports that the stage musical version will receive a developmental workshop this month, with Broadway producers already attached. Kelli O'Hara, a two-time Tony award nominee for "South Pacific" and "The Light in the Piazza," will star as the farmer's wife. Bartlett Sher, who directed O'Hara in both of those shows, will direct. No word yet on who will step into the role made famous by Eastwood.

The book for "Bridges" was penned by Marsha Norman, a Pulitzer Prize winner for her play, "'night, Mother," recently revived on Broadway with Edie Falco in the starring role. The music was composed by Jason Robert Brown, who previously won a Tony award for "Parade."

No word yet on whether "A Thousand Country Roads," Waller's sequel to "Bridges Of Madison County," will become a film, musical, opera, or dance number.