A new musical titled “Studio 54,” chronicling the history of the iconic New York City hotspot, is in development. Produced by Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron, the musical will feature a book by Chad Hodge and a slew of previously written disco tunes. Sergio Trujillo will serve as both director and choreographer. Joanne Horowitz is the production’s consulting producer.
The musical will be set in the 1970s, when Manhattan’s former Gallo Opera House was brought out of disrepair and transformed into a nightclub. Named Studio 54, the decadent club was known as a hub for celebrities during the heyday of disco. By the 1990s, the club was renovated into a legit theater and is now one of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Main Stem venues. The musical follows the rise and fall of the decadent discotheque.
Hodge penned the book for the 2016 stage adaptation of “Holiday Inn,” which played Studio 54. His screenwriting credits include the 2021 Netflix movie “Single All the Way.”
Trujillo won the 2019 Best Choreography Tony Award for his work on “Ain’t Too Proud.” His other Broadway credits including choreographing “A Bronx Tale,” “Summer” and “Days of Wine of Roses,” which recently ended its run at Studio 54.
Greenblatt is a Tony-winning producer, having won for “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” “Dear Evan Hansen” and “The Inheritance.” He also served as a producer on “Some Like It Hot” with Meron. The two collaborated on the NBC presentations of “The Sound of Music Live!,” “Peter Pan Live!,” “The Wiz Live!,” “Hairspray Live!,” “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” and “Annie Live!” Meron’s film credits include the screen adaptations of the musicals “Chicago” and “Hairspray.”
Horowitz attended the opening of the Studio 54 nightclub and served as talent wrangler and publicist for the venue during its years of operation.
The venue Studio 54 will house the upcoming musical “A Wonderful World,” set to open on Nov. 11.
