THE LOST BOYS to open at the Palace on Broadway in 2026

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 4:02pm

https://playbill.com/article/the-lost-boys-musical-is-headed-to-broadway

Featuring a book by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch, with music by the band The Rescues, The Lost Boys uses vampirism to explore the physical transformation, sexual awakening, and identity experimentation of a teenager's coming of age. When the brotherly duo of Michael and Sam move to the fictional town of Santa Carla, California with their working mother and eccentric grandfather, they inadvertently end up in the crosshairs of a group of teenage rebel vampires and adolescent vampire hunters.

With Tony-winning director Michael Arden (Parade) at the helm, the musical is set to open at Broadway's Palace Theatre in the spring of 2026, with dates to be announced.

"Michael Arden is one of the most dynamic directors working today, and to have him reimagine an iconic film like The Lost Boys is thrilling, especially when we consider how it will come to life at the legendary Palace Theatre,” said producers James Carpinello, Marcus Chait, and Patrick Wilson. “David Hornsby and Chris Hoch have done a remarkable job of honoring this classic film and its beloved characters, creating something new and unique for the stage that will excite the die-hard fans of the movie as well as those being introduced to this timeless story for the first time."

Arden will lead a creative team that will include Tony nominated music supervisor Ethan Popp (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical), choreographers Lauren Yalango-Grant (Parade) and Christopher Cree Grant (Parade), Tony nominated scenic designer Dane Laffrey (Maybe Happy Ending), and Tony winning costume designer Susan Hilferty (Wicked). Casting, by The Telsey Office's Craig Burns and Kristian Charbonier, is to be announced, with general management by Bespoke Theatricals.

Produced by Carpinello, Chait, and Wilson—marking the first joint producing collaboration for the three actors—the musical is being developed by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. Devin Keudell will serve as executive producer.

News on casting has not been announced. In a previous, invitation-only industry presentation, performances included Caissie Levy (Frozen) as Lucy Emerson, Casey Likes (Back to the Future) as Michael Emerson, Nathan Levy (Dear Evan Hansen) as Sam Emerson, and Lorna Courtney (& Juliet) as Star. An additional private industry presentation will be held March 14.

Updated On: 1/27/25 at 04:02 PM

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 4:04pm

Totally was expecting QOV to take the Palace! Curious where that will end up.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 4:05pm

Wow, they didn't even try to hide the direct rip off between this and Stranger Things. All the way down to the retro flashing. Lame. 

Updated On: 1/27/25 at 04:05 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 4:08pm

So, will the Palace be dark for about 9-10 months after GLENGARRY closes?

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 4:18pm

They better have the sexy sax man !

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 4:19pm

Curious if they will have a tryout somewhere in the fall before the spring Broadway opening.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 4:31pm

What in the “hey Stranger Things, can I copy your homework” is this branding? Yikes. 

I guess they’re announcing so early due to an upcoming audition notice for a workshop that has all the future bway dates, as is always the case. The programming at the Palace is really off to a brutal start. 
 

Getting some Swept Away energy from the fact it’s a new musical that has whispers of being good but by a band I truly don’t know. Best of luck. 

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 4:54pm

Let me get this straight... they're opening another vampire production at the Palace theater exacty 20 years after 'Lestat'? Not a good omen at all

 

 

 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 5:01pm

Sutton Ross said: "Wow, they didn't even try to hide the direct rip off between this and Stranger Things. All the way down to the retro flashing. Lame."

The 80s aesthetic of Stranger Things is directly inspired from movies like The Lost Boys...

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 5:06pm

"The Lost Boys uses vampirism to explore the physical transformation, sexual awakening, and identity experimentation of a teenager's coming of age..."

So it's Spring Awakening, except they're vampires.

EDIT: I stand corrected. I guess I missed the subtext when I saw this as a teenager in the 1990s...a quick Google search provides entire articles dissing how The Lost Boys is one of the most gay-coded movies of the 20th century. Huh. And here I was thinking it was just about a close-knit group of male vampires who happen to wear lots of leather.

Updated On: 1/28/25 at 05:06 PM

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 5:10pm

Yes, God forbid they make the homoerotic vampire musical woke! 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 5:12pm

The 80s aesthetic of Stranger Things is directly inspired from movies like The Lost Boys..."

Cool but Stranger Things came before this show so they should have probably created a new aesthetic to avoid such obvious comparisons. 

"The Lost Boys uses vampirism to explore the physical transformation, sexual awakening, and identity experimentation of a teenager's coming of age..."

So it's gay vampires f*cking? From a movie no one has ever heard of under the age of 30? Awesome. 

Updated On: 1/27/25 at 05:12 PM

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 5:21pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Curious if they will have a tryout somewhere in the fall before the spring Broadway opening."

Nope. Going straight to Broadway. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 5:46pm

I am really surprised by the list of producers.  When I first read the article, it was not clear what their role was.  I could only think of one role from the movie that could be played by someone their age, the role originated by Chris Sarandon and then Colin Farrell.  Wonder if one of them will end up in that role.

I would really love to see Patrick Wilson in a musical.  It has been a long time.  Since he is not a box office attraction, his return would need to be in a show that sells itself, assuming a musical version of TLB could sell itself.  I have to admit that I would rather see him in something where he is the lead.

It will be very interesting to see whether this happens.  

On that note, I am even more surprised that the owners of the Palace would commit to a show this far in advance, where there will be quite a gap following GGR.   I guess we will find out with GGR, but the theatre just does not seem right for limited engagement dramas, which would presumably be the most likely option for that gap period (unless Ben Platt wants to come back).

[LALALand]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 6:21pm

Jarethan said: "I am really surprised by the list of producers. When I first read the article, it was not clear what their role was. I could only think of onerolefrom the movie that could be played by someone their age, the role originated by Chris Sarandon and then Colin Farrell. Wonder if one of them will end up in that role.

The film you are referencing is called "Fright Night." Edward Hermann was the head vamp in "The Lost boys.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 6:31pm

Sutton Ross said: "The 80s aesthetic ofStranger Thingsis directly inspired from movies likeThe Lost Boys..."

Cool but Stranger Thingscame before thisshow so they should have probably created a new aesthetic to avoid such obvious comparisons.

So it's gay vampires f*cking? From a movie no one has ever heard of under the age of 30? Awesome."

These are such stupid statements. Should The Lost Boys (set in the 80s) just not evoke the 80s? What aesthetic could they give it? Please explain that to me oh wise one whose only knowledge of the 80s seems to be Stranger Things, itself a massive pastiche of the 80s.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 6:49pm

Ensemble1698878795 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Curious if they will have a tryout somewhere in the fall before the spring Broadway opening."

Nope. Going straight to Broadway."

Yikes

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 7:06pm

... yet the reading in March is looking for money still ...

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 7:34pm

Jarethan said: "I am really surprised by the list of producers. When I first read the article, it was not clear what their role was. I could only think of onerolefrom the movie that could be played by someone their age, the role originated by Chris Sarandon and then Colin Farrell. Wonder if one of them will end up in that role.

I would really love to see Patrick Wilson in a musical. It has been a long time. Since he is not a box office attraction, his return would need to be in a show that sells itself, assuming a musical version of TLB could sell itself. I have to admit that I would rather see him in something where he is the lead.

It will be very interesting to see whether this happens.

On that note, I am even more surprised that the owners of the Palace would commit to a show this far in advance, where there will be quite a gap following GGR. I guess we will find out with GGR, but the theatre just does not seemright for limited engagement dramas, which would presumably be the most likely option for that gap period (unless Ben Platt wants to come back)."

The owners of the Palace are very enthusiastic about this show and intend to fill the Palace with limited engagements until this opens. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 7:46pm

I mean, I'm excited for this but it feels the Owners of The Palace haven't been a great judge of who they rent out to fill the space...

[verywellthensigh]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 8:20pm

Could work if they emphasize the Jason Patric/Keifer Sutherland story over the irritating two Coreys storyline.  

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 9:18pm

There's nothing the majority of you won't complain over...

Excited for a Michael Arden-directed anything.  But also this whole endeavor sounds right up my alley.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/27/25 at 9:44pm

Three first-time lead producers (who are actors), a house this huge, and IP that means nothing raises all sorts of red flags. Even with one of Broadway’s best directors at the helm.

From a creative standpoint, a business standpoint, and above all a money-raising standpoint.

Even the most competent general managers/exec producers cannot save a show from being mishandled by novice lead producers.

Maybe it’ll be great! Maybe they’re secretly wonderful producers despite no experience! Who knows.

Pessimism does not mean a show is guaranteed to be bad and it doesn’t mean we aren’t rooting for it. But this is a tricky business and a show being announced with massive obstacles ahead.

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 1:39am

Some wild comments.

This IP doesn't mean 'nothing', the film is quite a big deal for a large amount of people from that generation. Time will tell if it can fill the palace, but its no worse an idea than many other film fo stage adaptions.

And should shows only be made for those 30 and under? Considering it's people above that age who are more likely to have the money, it makes sense to target gen x and millennials these days.

As for using the 80s aesthetic, this came first and is truly 80s. Stranger Things just copied things like Lost Boys. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 2:44am

Theatrefan2 said: "Some wild comments.

This IP doesn't mean 'nothing', the film is quite a big deal for a large amount of people from that generation. Time will tell if it can fill the palace, but its no worse an idea than many other film fo stage adaptions.

And should shows only be made for those 30 and under? Considering it's people abovethat age who are more likely to have the money, it makes sense to target gen x and millennials these days.

As for using the 80s aesthetic, this came first and is truly 80s. Stranger Things just copied things like LostBoys."

Wild comments deserve controlled responses:

1. Nothing is nothing, but this property is not "a big deal" for any demographic. In its strongest demo, it is a wedge between the older and younger audiences. (Meaning that it does not really resonate above or below. And that's not good.)

2. Comparing this to "many other film fo [sic] stage adaptions [sic]" is not very fruitful considering that most of them -- even with much bigger branding -- flop. 

3. The kids may not have as much money but they sure spend much more. And as adapted, this will resonate for neither the older nor younger sets. 

4. There is no basis for the chicken and egg nonsense, but few would care about that.

5. Michael Arden has quickly ascended, deservedly, and has eclipsed some of the previous generation of directors. 

6. As a show that quite transparently needs a lot of financial help that hasn't been rushing in, it makes no sense to ignore that fact. When someone comes to your industry reading (a euphemism for a backers' audition) and quietly leaves at the end, and you call a day or two later, the sorts of observations that are being disparaged in this thread are what you are going to hear. Why would we shove that under the rug? It's existential.

Updated On: 1/28/25 at 02:44 AM