Not sure why two Jeff Buckley stories have caught my eye in as many days, but perhaps these come in threes and we’ll have one tomorrow, as well. Last May, we mentioned the concert premiere of Michael Kimmel’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, titled The Last Goodbye, which debuted at New York City’s Joe’s Pub to sold-out crowds. The event was—and still is—perhaps most notable because Buckley’s mother, Mary Guibert, authorized the use of her late son’s music, which she has seldom done since his death in 1997.

Now Variety reports (via Flavorwire) that the NYC premiere of The Last Goodbye was such a hit that a theatrical version is being prepped for the 2010-11 stage season.

Previously described as “part rock concert, part Elizabethan verse, [and] part 21st century musical,” Kimmel’s adaptation weaves Buckley songs, such as “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” and “Eternal Life” into Shakespeare’s famous tragedy about star-crossed lovers who… oh, I better not give away the ending.

Back in the summer of ‘94, Jeff Buckley’s breakthrough debut Grace was recorded and ready for release by Columbia Records, but the now-iconic singer’s only non-posthumous LP had yet to reach the ears of the masses, including those of KCRW’s Chris Douridas. “I remember it being a very busy time for us at KCRW and I confess, I initially didn’t respond positively to Columbia Records’ efforts to get Jeff a spot on our show,” he wrote in an article recalling the July 28th session, which the radio station is now offering as a free stream (via LA Weekly).

“I didn’t really feel prepared to speak to Jeff. I knew very little about him at that point,” Douridas also confessed, adding later:

Clearly none of this mattered however. All misgivings fell away once the session began. I remember Jeff being extremely warm, very charismatic, and absolutely genuine. The performance exuded a rare intensity that is still very apparent sixteen years on.

The first Hollywood heartthrob to take on the Jeff Buckley biopic project was Brad Pitt (as a producer), but that fizzled out despite the blessing of Buckley’s mother Mary Guibert. Now The Courier Press reports (via The Playlist, via The Daily Swarm) that a new project is in the works with the producer of 2007’s Joy Division film Control, Orion Williams. What’s more, Jared Leto, James Franco, Robert Pattinson and James Marsden have all expressed interest in playing Buckley.

“I have finally relented against my deep conviction that films about people should never be made until those people are long dead,” Guibert said. “Whoever gets the part will need a lot of self-discipline because they won’t be able to fake it.”

Jared Leto is technically a successful singer, but the John Lennon murder movie Chapter 27 was a flop, so he might be a bit risky. Robert Pattinson actually might make sense, as he is a singer/songwriter with a bit of that Buckley vibe, but he doesn’t really look like the part to me. Either way, they better all start practicing their Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan right away.

When I saw Hamlet set to the music of Radiohead at a local college once it was pretty awful, but I could kind of picture this: William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been made into a musical adaptation featuring the songs of Jeff Buckley and, most importantly, “with the permission of The Estate of Jeff Buckley.” That last part is a big deal because Buckley’s mother Mary Guibert has notoriously guarded her son’s legacy very closely.

Michael Kimmel’s adaptation, The Last Goodbye, will premiere next Monday (May 11) at NYC’s Joe’s Pub in the first of three performances. Here’s the show’s description from Buckley’s official site:

Created hundreds of years apart, the timeless work of two of history’s great poets collide in this visceral and moving world premiere theatrical event. Part rock concert, part Elizabethan verse, part 21st century musical, THE LAST GOODBYE features a cast of fourteen extraordinary young, up-and-coming actor-singers. Told through Jeff Buckley’s daring and soulful music, William Shakespeare’s romantic and violent tragedy is new yet again.