Marvin Hamlisch Talks 'THE NUTTY PROFESSOR' In The NY POST

The New York Post's Cindy Adams spoke with Marvin Hamlisch about the upcoming musical "THE NUTTY PROFESSOR", the award winning composer revealed that, "I felt there was a good run of Act 1, and a first draft should be ready to play for Jerry in October."

Hamlisch continued by saying, "Rupert Holmes is writing book and lyrics. Early on I got involved because I know Jerry, and when I was approached I told him, 'Count me in. I've done seven songs so far. Another six to go. I've screened the movie several times to find the truth inside it and slowly find the characters who need to say what's in the songs. The core of this kind of writing is to be entertaining but true and to draw down to the fundamentals. A musical goes through such constant change and rewrite that it could be 2092 before it gets finished." To read the full article in the Post click here.

Legendary actor, director, writer and producer Jerry Lewis will make his theatrical directorial debut on Broadway with the new musical, "THE NUTTY PROFESSOR", based on the 1963 film that he starred in and co-wrote. With music by Academy Award, Emmy Award, Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Marvin Hamlisch and a book and lyrics by multiple Tony Award winner and Grammy Nominee Rupert Holmes, the musical is aiming for a bow on Broadway in the 2010/2011 season and is being produced by Loud Watch Productions, LLC.

Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists for composers. He has written the score for the Broadway musicals They're Playing Our Song, Sweet Smell of Success, The Goodbye Girl, Smile and A Chorus Line, for which he shares The Pulitzer Prize. Mr. Hamlisch also wrote the score for the Broadway play with music Imaginary Friends. 

Recognized as one of The American Film Institute's best comedies in their "100 Years...100 Laughs", "THE NUTTY PROFESSOR", written by Jerry Lewis & Bill Richmond, was released by Paramount Pictures in 1963 and just recently crossed the 800 Million Dollar mark in world-wide grosses. The film also starrEd Lewis in what went on to be one of his most famous roles and successful films. Since its release, there have been countless tributes and homage to the film and Lewis' performance, not only in the US, but in Europe, Asia, Australia and across the globe.

Marvin Hamlisch's (Music) life in music is notable for its great versatility as well as substance. As composer, Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globe awards; his groundbreaking show, "A Chorus Line", received the Pulitzer Prize. He is the composer of more than forty motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for The Way We Were and his adaptation of Scott Joplin's music for The Sting, for which he received a third Oscar. His prolific output of scores for films include original compositions and/or musical adaptations for Sophie's Choice, Ordinary People, The Swimmer, Three Men and A Baby, Ice Castles, Take The Money and Run, Bananas and Save The Tiger. His latest effort is The Informant, starring Matt Damon, directed by Steven Soderbergh, scheduled for release in September, 2009. Marvin Hamlisch holds the position of principal pops conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony and San Diego Symphony. Mr. Hamlisch was Musical Director and arranger of Barbra Streisand's 1994 concert tour of the U.S. and England as well as of the television special, "Barbra Streisand: The Concert" (for which he received two of his Emmys). Hamlisch is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Queens College (where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree). He believes in the power of music to bring people together.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.