Bruce Springsteen is about to boss around Netflix.
On Wednesday, the streaming service announced the iconic rocker’s “Springsteen on Broadway” special will launch globally on the platform on Dec. 15, 2018, which just so happens to be the final night of Springsteen’s completely sold out 236-show run at Jujamcyn’s Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway.
“Springsteen on Broadway” is a solo acoustic performance written and performed by Springsteen. The show is based on the Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist’s autobiography, “Born to Run” and features a special appearance by Patti Scialfa.
“We are thrilled to bring Bruce Springsteen — a master storyteller, humanitarian and voice of the everyman — to Netflix in this historic one man show,” Ted Sarandos, chief content officer, Netflix, said. “This groundbreaking experience defies the boundaries of theater, concerts and film and will give our global audience an intimate look at one of the biggest cultural icons of our time.”
“The purpose of the film is to bring this incredibly intimate show to Bruce’s entire audience intact and complete,” Springsteen’s manager, Jon Landau, said. “In addition to its many other virtues, Netflix has provided for a simultaneous worldwide release which is particularly important for our massive international audience. Ted Sarandos and the entire company’s support has been a perfect match for Bruce’s personal commitment to the filmed version of ‘Springsteen on Broadway.’”
“Springsteen on Broadway” began previews on Oct. 3, 2017 and officially opened on Oct. 12. The show was extended three times after its original eight-week run and will take its final bow on the night of the Netflix special’s premiere.
The special is written by Springsteen and directed and produced by Emmy Award-winner Thom Zimny (“Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live in New York City”). In addition to Zimny, the film is being produced by the same team that produced “Springsteen on Broadway,” including Landau, Springsteen tour director George Travis, and Landau Management partner Barbara Carr.