New production in the pipeline

It's the black satire that perfectly captured the desperation, obsession and delusion of a struggling comedian – and now The King Of Comedy is being made into a Broadway musical.

Producers of Martin Scorsese's cult 1983 movie have recruited a composer and a writer to adapt the script for the stage, although a timetable for its production has not yet been announced.

The film starred Robert De Niro as the aspiring stand-up and fantasist Rupert Pupkin and Jerry Lewis as the chat show host he kidnaps in order to get a TV break – but again there is no news on the casting for the stage version.

Stephen Trask, the award-winning composer and lyricist of Hedwig And The Angry Inch and Rock of Ages book writer Chris D'Arienzo are penning the new script.

It is being developed by production house New Regency, whose executive Bill Weiner said: 'We are very excited to have Stephen and Chris on board to bring this classic film, with its quirky characters and contemporary themes surrounding fame and celebrity, to the Broadway stage.'

Trask added: 'I saw King of Comedy in film class at Wesleyan (university) and I still can't get it out of my head. To get asked by New Regency, one of the most consequential film companies ever, to make a musical with my friend Chris D'Arienzo, out of what might be the greatest movie ever, is one of the most exciting opportunities to come my way.

'And we didn't have to kidnap anybody to make it happen.'

Published: 23 Jul 2015