Huey Lewis and “The Heart of Rock and Roll”
On Broadway this spring, a tapestry of sound and narrative will unfold as “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” a new musical built around the iconic hits of Huey Lewis and the News, makes its debut. Set to premiere on April 22 at the prestigious James Earl Jones Theater, the musical promises to transport audiences back to the vibrant 1980s. It tells the poignant story of a couple, portrayed by Corey Cott and McKenzie Kurtz, grappling with the dichotomy between chasing pop-star dreams and settling into corporate life.
This musical odyssey began in 2009 when producer Tyler Mitchell, who has a personal history with Lewis dating back to their days in Ross, California, approached the musician with the idea of transforming his chart-topping hits into a Broadway show. “His songs resonate with so many people because they tackle a lot of relatable subjects: following your dreams versus playing it safe, love and relationships, friendship, blue-collar working,” Mitchell noted. He envisioned a production where Lewis’s music would not merely act as a backdrop but would drive the narrative forward.
Despite his experience in Broadway’s revival of “Chicago,” Lewis was initially skeptical, aware of the pitfalls of jukebox or as he prefers, “catalog musicals.” He mused on the unpredictability of such endeavors, pointing out, “If the Beach Boys can’t succeed, and Abba does? I’m just saying. But what we forget about ‘Mamma Mia!’ is that the book really is great.” His caution stemmed from a desire to see his songs interwoven into a compelling, original story rather than just recycled hits.
The breakthrough came with Jonathan A. Abrams, a screenwriter whose novel approach to storytelling captivated Lewis. Abrams embarked on crafting the musical’s book in an unconventional yet profoundly artistic manner. His workspace transformed into a creative studio where the lyrics of Lewis’s songs were displayed across the walls, allowing him to immerse himself fully in the essence of the music. “I stood back like I was looking at a painting,” Abrams described. This method helped him perceive emerging patterns and themes—words like ‘Hip,’ ‘Heart,’ ‘Soul,’ ‘Power,’ and ‘Love’ leapt out, guiding him to sculpt a narrative that felt both inevitable and authentic.
Lewis appreciated that the musical didn’t attempt to mirror his life literally. “You know, the muse comes when she comes,” he reflected on his songwriting process. “It’s usually from something personal. And when you begin to write the song, you exaggerate. You embellish.” This insight into his artistic process reveals a resonance with Abrams’ method—both artists embrace the fluidity of creativity, allowing the subconscious to lead and the conscious mind to sculpt and refine.
“The Heart of Rock and Roll” is more than a walk down memory lane; it is a dynamic integration of storytelling and song, where each element enhances and elevates the other. As the curtain rises this April, the audience is invited not just to a show but to a reimagining of what musical theater can encompass, driven by the heartbeat of Huey Lewis’s enduring anthems.