THE NUTTY PROFESSOR Headed to Broadway; Music by Hamlisch, Book by Holmes; Jerry Lewis to Direct

[Rob]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:08pm

Click Here to Read THE NUTTY PROFESSOR Headed to Broadway; Music by Hamlisch, Book by Holmes; Jerry Lewis to Direct

[lull89]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:09pm

This has to be a joke, right? There's no way all those words can be serious?

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:09pm

Ah, not the Eddie Murphy version.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:13pm

It's now official. Broadway is dead.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:15pm

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:16pm

Has Jerry Lewis ever directed for the stage before?

[jennafan]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:17pm

Terrible.


It will close within a month of opening. No doubt. Updated On: 6/29/09 at 01:17 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:24pm

All those poopooing this seem to only know the Eddie Murphy version of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR. If you take a look at Jerry Lewis' original 1963 film, a musical adaptation is believable. No, Jerry Lewis didn't turn into a fat man in the original version of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:27pm

The original Nutty Professor is a classic and I wouldn't underestimate Jerry Lewis, who actually wrote a definitive textbook on filmmaking which is still being read today.

The key to making this work is casting someone who's comically briliant as the lead. Sean Hayes could really do wonders in this role!

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:36pm

Flavin!

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:36pm

What self-respecting gay theatre professional would want to work with Jerry Lewis considering his history of making homophobic comments? They'll have to cast and staff the show with straight people who don't care. That might be difficult.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:37pm

Well this is interesting news...

I wouldn't mind seeing Hunter Foster in the role, or maybe even Malcolm Gets if he isn't too old.

[Pippin]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:39pm

Something tells me Norbert Leo Butz will be the title role.

[nearthestage]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:40pm

Jerry Lewis is a well documented egomanic, who would be obscure if it wasn't for the French and his telethon. I sing his praises and respect him, for what he's done with regard to MD, however; The Nutty Professor on Broadway is a big snooze, just like Mr. Lewis.

That said, I think Martin Short would be a good choice.


Updated On: 6/29/09 at 01:40 PM

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:42pm

Whatever happens, this WILL NOT Be dull. I HIGHLY recommend reading some of the tales of what went on during previews of Hellzapoppin.

Posted: 6/29/09 at 1:48pm

This has a chapter that shouldn't be missed.

Second Act Trouble: Behind the Scenes at Broadway's Big Musical Bombs (Hardcover)by Steven Suskin
Amazon

[Roscoe]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 2:05pm

Hunter Foster would be terrific, I'd say. Sean Hayes would be catastrophically miscast, as he is utterly unable to portray heterosexuality in any way shape or form.

I'm not exactly in a hurry to see it, but good people seem to be involved. The wild card is Jerry Lewis himself as director, which could be the show's biggest liability or it's biggest asset. It could be another HAIRSPRAY, or it could be another CRYBABY.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 2:07pm

Vespertine1228, they won't have any problem casting this show. Business is business. Jerry Lewis won't be the first person who's made anti-homosexual comments before to direct a show.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 2:25pm

Not a bad idea, though I haven't been impressed with a Hamlisch score in a very long time. I don't know how I feel about Jerry Lewis directing, but as long as it stars anyone BUT Martin Short, I'd be willing to give it a shot.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 3:03pm

Sounds more promising than Phantom 2.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 3:03pm

double post. Updated On: 6/29/09 at 03:03 PM

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 3:52pm

Yuck. I will pass. Updated On: 6/29/09 at 03:52 PM

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 3:57pm

Roscoe, I agree with you completely on the Hairspray/Crybaby

[Pgenre]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 3:59pm

This sounds abhorrent.

I love Hamlisch. SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS is one of my favorite scores of the last twenty years. He used to be so daring and audacious and now... LIBERACE and THIS?

BULLETS OVER BROADWAY. Not this. Please.

I am usually open to any ideas for a new musical... but this sounds like such a dud. Of a property I can't stand.

P

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 4:35pm

Pippin, Norbert Leo Butz is the very first person I thought of also.