'Eighth Grade's Elsie Fisher Will Star in Musical 'The Shaggs'
It's a good day for Elsie Fisher, the breakout star of junior-high indie "Eighth Grade." She just got nominated for a Gotham Award and now she's lined up her next movie, one that promises just as much awkwardness.
Fisher will star in "The Shaggs," based on the real-life story of the Wiggin sisters, three teens who, in 1968, recorded one of the most infamously awful albums of all time, "Philosophy of the World." It was a flop at the time, but went on to become a cult favorite beloved of Kurt Cobain, Frank Zappa and Dr. Demento.
Ken Kwapis ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants") will direct.
The screenplay is by Joy Gregory, who also wrote the 2011 off-Broadway musical. The NY Times called it "quirky but dreary."
Per the NY Daily News more positive review, the original songs in the stage musical are better than The Shaggs' own dreadful music, which is featured more sparsely.
[Via THR]