A musical based on the songs of Huey Lewis and the News is heading to Broadway. Titled The Heart of Rock and Roll, the jukebox production will begin performances next March at The James Earl Jones Theatre, and will officially premiere the following month on April 22nd.
Described as “a raucous rom-com wrapped in pure musical joy,” The Heart of Rock and Roll will use the music of Huey Lewis and the News to score a story about two 30-somethings whose lives are changed after they meet each other. Among the tunes included in the soundtrack are “Workin’ for a Livin’,” “Stuck with You,” “If This Is It,” “The Power of Love,” and more.
“Working on our show has been so gratifying,” Huey Lewis himself said in a statement. “I’ve always been a storyteller, and it’s a thrill to see my songs woven together in service of a fantastic, new story. That it will all take place on the world’s most prestigious stage — Broadway — just makes the ride that much sweeter.”
The Heart of Rock and Roll began its journey at The Old Globe theater in San Diego, and is making the move to Broadway with help from producers Hunter Arnold, Tyler Mitchell, and Kayla Greenspan. Speaking about Lewis’ involvement, Arnold said: “Huey Lewis’s song catalog is not just music — it’s a powerful bridge to an era when our hearts danced freely, love knew no bounds, and every moment was a celebration of life. This show is more than nostalgia; it is a remedy for our age of anxiety and a joyful gift to Broadway audiences.”
The first showings of The Heart of Rock and Roll will begin on March 29th, with the official grand opening arriving on April 22nd. Tickets are currently available on Telecharge.com.
The production will be directed by Gordon Greenberg, with a book by Jonathan A. Abrams, a story by Abrams and Tyler Mitchell, choreography by Lorin Latarro, and music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Brian Usifer. Additional details, like the cast, will be announced at a later date.
The Heart of Rock and Roll won’t be the first mention of Lewis on the Great White Way, thanks to the American Psycho musical. Earlier this year, Lewis revealed on Mark Hoppus’ After School Radio that he still hasn’t seen the American Psycho movie, but did attend the Broadway production.
