The comedian, who won't be acting in the musical, has brought on board Marvin Hamlisch to write music and Rupert Holmes to do book and lyrics. Producers are planning on an opening during the 2010-11 Broadway season.
Lewis, who turned 83 this year, starred in the original Paramount feature film, which he co-wrote with Bill Richmond. The musical adaptation will mark Lewis' directorial debut on Broadway, although the comedian has performed there several times throughout his 60-year career.
An Oscar and Tony winner, Hamlisch is best-known for his music to “A Chorus Line," “The Goodbye Girl" and “Sweet Smell of Success." His notable film credits include “The Way We Were" and “The Sting." Holmes won the Tony Award for his work on “The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and was nominated for “Curtains."
Announcements about casting are expected later in 2009. The plot for the musical remains largely faithful to the movie. Professor Julius Kelp is a lonely, socially inept nerd who stumbles upon a potion that turns him into Buddy Love, an irresponsible party animal. The potion allows the professor to date his dream girl, Stella, but problems arise when the spell starts wearing off at inconvenient moments.
The musical is being produced by Loud Watch Productions.
