Theater News

Rupert Holmes to Be New Book Writer for Musical Robin and the 7 Hoods

Rupert Holmes
Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes (Curtains, The Mystery of Edwin Drood) has joined the creative team as book writer of Robin and the 7 Hoods. This musical is being adapted from Warner Bros’ 1964 Rat Pack movie. Holmes replaces Peter Ackerman who was previously announced as the writer on the show.

The show, which transports the Robin Hood legend to Prohibition-era Chicago, is built around standards by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen, including “My Kind of Town,” “Come Fly With Me,” “All the Way” and “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head.” Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone) is set to choreograph and direct. The show is aiming for a West Coast tryout next summer before a Broadway premiere scheduled for the 2010-11 season. The theater has yet to be announced for the summer 2010 tryout run.

In announcing Holmes’ involvement with Hoods, producer Dennis Mastro said, “Rupert Holmes is one of the savviest writers in the business.” He continued by saying that Holmes is “the perfect ‘partner’ for Cahn & Van Heusen. We’re thrilled he’s on board.”

In addition to Holmes’ book and the Cahn-Van Heusen score, Hoods will feature musical supervision by John McDaniel, costume design by Tony Award-winner Gregg Barnes, and lighting design by Tony Award-winner Natasha Katz. Casting will be announced at a later date.

For further information, visit www.rupertholmes.com.