Currently in Nashville, Tennessee at the James K. Polk Theater, legendary show-biz institution JERRY LEWIS is in rehearsals directing his first musical comedy in the form of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, an adaptation of his classic 1963 slapstick film of the same name.

Despite recent health issues and having (for the most part) to get around in a motorized chair, the 86-year-old LEWIS is giving the show his all with an eye towards an eventual Broadway engagement. With music by MARVIN HAMLISH, book and lyrics by RUPERT HOLMES and a mostly unknown cast, the show is the fulfillment of a promise that was made years ago when it was first announced (to mostly skeptical responses).

A veteran of hundreds (if not thousands of stage performances in his youth), LEWIS’ only Broadway connection is his run in the 1995 revival of DAMN YANKEES. It was during that period he talked to us about why he loves the idea of working in live theater. (CLICK ON THE MEDIA BAR FOR AUDIO)

THE NUTTY PROFESSOR begins performances at Nashville’s James K. Polk Theater 7/24