Pat Benatar’s Life With Neil Giraldo Is Being Turned Into a Broadway Musical
A new musical focusing on the relationship – both musical and personal – between Pat Benatar and her guitarist and husband Neil Giraldo is in development.
The musical, which Deadline reports is meant to replicate the style and success of Rock of Ages and Jersey Boys, will be written by the Emmy-nominated Gary Lennon (Orange Is the New Black, The Shield) and produced by Jamie Cesa (Pippin). It's reportedly due to hit Broadway next year.
Giraldo was Benatar's lead guitarist as she shot to fame with late '70s/early '80s-era songs like “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Heartbreaker,” “We Belong” and “Love Is a Battlefield.” He'd earlier toured with Rick Derringer, before ultimately appearing on every Benatar record as guitarist, songwriter and sometime producer.
The pair fell in love along the way, and the now-married couple still tours together. Their current dates continue through the end of this month. But there's been no small amount of adversity, beginning when Benatar's hit-making streak finally slowed toward the '90s. More recently, last year's 35th anniversary tour was marred by a health scare, when Giraldo required emergency surgery on his left eye.
That forced the duo off the road for a few weeks, but – as always – they bounced back. The latest run of shows finds Benatar and Giraldo paired with Melissa Etheridge.
See the Top 100 Albums of the '80s