The coming-of-age story, whose movie version helped solidify the career of Matt Dillon, will feature book and lyrics by Tony Award winner Robert L. Freedman and music by Scott Frankel (Grey Gardens). It will be Freedman鈥檚 first musical since 2014鈥檚 Tony-winning A Gentlemen鈥檚 Guide To Love and Murder and Frankel鈥檚 next after War Paint, which is now making its world premiere in Chicago.
The Flamingo Kid, according to press notes, 鈥渢akes place in the summer of 1963 and follows an 18-year-old Brooklynite who leaves his humble roots behind in favor of the sexy and alluring world of The El Flamingo鈥攁 private beach club for well-to-do Long Islanders. Torn between his father鈥檚 blue collar values and those of his new, cocky mentor, Phil Brody, he finds consolation in Brody's niece, Carla, a girl with radical ideas of her own. He soon learns that there鈥檚 no shortcut to lasting success, and there鈥檚 no substitute for family.鈥�
The score will feature the iconic sounds of the era, from do-wop and R&B, to the cha-cha and the watusi. The scenic design will recreate the look and feel of summertime at The El Flamingo Beach Club, complete with a pool centerstage.
鈥淩obert and Scott are passionately drawn to this timeless story. By reinterpreting it for the stage, and making it sing, they鈥檙e finding new ways to layer the emotional content, and imbue it with a new vibrancy,鈥� said producer Israel in a statement.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a valentine to the shimmering beach clubs of a bygone era,鈥� added Hirschhorn.
Additional information, including casting and production dates, will be announced at a later time.
