Jerry Lewis to Direct Broadway-Bound Nutty Professor Musical

A musical version of The Nutty Professor is headed to the stage. The 1963 film's original writer/director/star Jerry Lewis will helm the theatrical version, according to Variety.

The Nutty Professor centers on a nerdy professor who, after being picked on by a football coach, decides to create a potion that will turn him into a cooler guy. His creation makes him more handsome and self-confident, but problems arise because the effect wears off very quickly. Lewis wrote the 1963 film with Bill Richmond. It was a huge hit and remains famous to this day. A remake of the film, starring Eddie Murphy, was released in 1996.

Lewis has tapped little-known singer/songwriter Michael Andrews to star in the title role. He plans on writing the libretto with a team and has not yet hired songwriters.

If all goes according to Lewis' plan, look for The Nutty Professor to try out at the Old Globe in 2007 and hit Broadway in October 2008.