Talkback: Would You See a Rocky Musical Produced by Sylvester Stallone and Two Boxers?

"I can't wait for the musical!" is what no one thought 35 years ago while watching Rocky Balboa box frozen sides of beef in Paulie's meat locker for the first time. Nevertheless, Sylvester Stallone and boxing brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko are producing a musical version of Stallone's Academy Award-winning film with the help of Tony Award-winning writer Thomas Meehan (The Producers), lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty. The question is: Three-plus decades later, are you up for seeing 'The Italian Stallion' relive his glory days onstage?

Before you make this crucial decision though, a few more details -- like Stallone's pitch on why Rocky will be great in musical form: "At the end of the day, Rocky is a love story and he could never have reached the final bell without Adrian. [...] To see this story coming to life on a musical stage makes me proud. And it would make Rocky proud."

Also, it might help to know that the production will be directed by Alex Timbers (The Pee-Wee Herman Show) and include some of the franchise's original music like "Eye of the Tiger," "Gonna Fly Now" and "Take You Back." To add further credibility to the musical, producers and real-life boxing brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko will personally train the actor cast in the titular role.

Lastly, and most importantly for your planning purposes, Rocky: The Musical is slated to make its world premiere in Hamburg in November 2012 -- which means that you have one year to learn German, get a passport and save up for a trip to Europe. (Stallone would reportedly like to eventually produce an English version of Rocky: The Musical.)

How dedicated are you to Rocky Balboa? Would you pay to see his musical debut in Europe? Have you already requested the German translation of all your favorite quotes ("Don't smoke that. It makes your breath like garbage." / "I ain't no bum, Mick. I ain't no bum.") Would you pay to see Rocky's eventual musical debut in English? Would you see his musical if someone paid for your ticket? I must know! Passionate responses requested below.

· Sylvester Stallone, Klitschko Brothers to Produce 'Rocky' Musical [THR]