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Jerry Lewis to premiere ‘Nutty Professor’ musical in Nashville

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‘The Nutty Professor’ has been a lucrative property for Jerry Lewis. The original 1963 movie was a commercial hit, and so was its 1996 remake starring Eddie Murphy. Lewis has been working on a stage musical version of the movie, which will have its world premiere later this year in Nashville, organizers said Wednesday.

The musical is set to open at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, where it is scheduled to run July 24 to Aug. 19. Michael Andrew will play the role of professor Julius Kelp, a nerdy scientist who develops a smooth-talking alter-ego named Buddy Love. Andrew is a singer and performer who has appeared on a number of Lewis’ telethons benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

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As previously reported, Marvin Hamlisch, the Oscar and Tony-winning composer, is writing the music for the show. The book and lyrics are by Rupert Holmes. Lewis won’t star in the musical but he will direct it.

The show’s out-of-town tryout in Nashville is being regarded as a warmup for a planned Broadway run. No announcement has been made about if or when the show would open in New York.

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-- David Ng

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