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A Broadway musical based on Weird Al Yankovic is officially in development from the creative team behind the hugely successful stage productions of Beetlejuice and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
The production, titled Dare To Be Stupid: The Weird Al Musical, is currently being prepared for Broadway in New York, although official details about opening dates and the venue have not yet been revealed (via Deadline). Alex Timbers, who directed Moulin Rouge!, is attached to the project, while Beetlejuice writers Scott Brown and Anthony King are also involved.
Reports say the stage show will feature many of Yankovic’s most recognisable parody hits, including White & Nerdy, his parody of Ridin' by Chamillionaire, along with Eat It inspired by Beat It from Michael Jackson, and Like a Surgeon, which famously reworked Like a Virgin by Madonna.
“Ever since I was a middle-aged man, I’ve always wanted to be a part of the New York theatre community,” Yankovic joked in a press statement. “Plus, the one thing people always say about Broadway is that it’s ‘severely lacking in Weird Al-based entertainment,’ and I think this musical should fix that problem immediately.”
Widely regarded as one of comedy music’s most iconic figures, Yankovic has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide, earned five Grammy Awards, and appeared in numerous films and television projects.
Back in 2022, Daniel Radcliffe portrayed the singer in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. The movie playfully mocked traditional music biopics and presented an intentionally exaggerated version of Yankovic’s journey to fame. Yankovic also co wrote and produced the film while making a cameo appearance himself.
NME awarded the film four stars in its review, describing it as “a cult classic in the making”, while also praising Radcliffe’s performance by saying: “Radcliffe’s winning performance – like a goofy high-schooler who wins the lottery – is enough to keep everyone laughing.”
Late last year, “Weird Al” Yankovic was also confirmed as part of the line-up for Bonnaroo 2026.
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The Rolling Stones have revealed the full tracklist for their upcoming album Foreign Tongues, and they did it in a unique way by translating most of the song titles into different languages from around the world.
Apart from the opening tracks Rough and Twisted and In The Stars, the legendary band presented the remaining song titles in languages such as French, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, Polish, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Indonesian and Filipino.
The album also includes a cover of You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse, alongside guest appearances from Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood and Robert Smith.
Guitarist Ronnie Wood also recorded a special guitar solo tribute for Brian Wilson on the track Back In Your Life.
Speaking during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Ronnie reflected on the emotional recording session, saying: "I was so moved that day, and disappointed and sad, I had so much feeling because Brian Wilson died that day. I’ll never forget.
"That week Sly Stone died too, I thought: 'Oh, no. It’s so sad. It came out through my guitar, the feeling you know, in just one take ... I didn’t do that, the guitar played itself."
Frontman Mick Jagger recently explained that he personally invited Robert Smith to appear on Foreign Tongues after unexpectedly meeting him at a London recording studio.
While speaking with Conan O'Brien during a live event in Brooklyn following the album announcement, Mick recalled: "I turned up one day to do my vocals in London, and there’s this bloke standing there with his back to me and this long gown on.
"When he turned around, it was covered in lipstick. I said: 'I’ve never met you before, but you’re Robert Smith of the Cure.’
"He said: ‘Yeah!’ I said: ‘While you’re here, we better go and do something.’ He sings a backing vocal."
Conan later joked that it would have been “really funny” if Paul McCartney had been forced to audition for a spot on the album.
Just like Robert Smith, the former The Beatles star happened to be recording in the neighboring studio while the Stones were working on their 2023 album Hackney Diamonds.
Guitarist Keith Richards added: "He wanted to come by and play with the band. He wanted to tick that box."
The late Charlie Watts also appears on the new record after contributing to several tracks before his passing in August 2021 at the age of 80, including the song Hit Me In The Head.
Mick teased the track by saying: "We did that [Hit Me In The Head] in LA with Charlie. It's a real fast punk rocker. It's a super fast song."
For the remainder of the album, drummer Steve Jordan takes over behind the kit. Keith explained: "He was recommended by Charlie. Charlie passed on the baton to him."
The album was recorded at Metropolis Studios in West London and is said to blend the classic Rolling Stones sound with fresh lyrical ideas and new musical directions.
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