Busker Alley, Sherman Brothers' musical to play Broadway 08-09 season, Jim Dale to star.

Jim Dale is to star in the musical Busker Alley, score by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman and book by AJ Carothers, which is to have a Broadway bow during the 2008 - 2009 season, at a theatre to be announced.

Busker Alley: Captures the life and spirit of street performers (buskers) who earn their living in the shadow of London�s West End glamour just before and during World War II. A devil-may-care busker, Charlie (Jim Dale), no longer 'as young as he was,' takes a gutsy, young sneak thief under his wing. He discovers her gift for music and performing and, with his tutelage, her talent blossoms along with his growing infatuation for her. Although Libby becomes part of the busker family, she wants more out of life. Her natural charm and drive feeds her need for 'being on the inside.' When she attracts the attention of a major West End producer, she leaves Charlie to follow her dream.

On the 13 Nov 2006 Jim Dale starred as 'Charlie' in a benefit performance of the musical at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, presented by the York Theatre Company.

Busker Alley has a score by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman (Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, two Academy Awards, 23 gold and platinum records, a star on the Hollywood Hall of Fame, and more movie scores than any other songwriting team in history.�)

The book is by film, television and theatre writer, AJ Carothers (The Happiest Millionaire, The Secret of My Success).

The musical will be directed and designed by Tony Walton, with lighting by Richard Pilbrow, and will be produced on Broadway by Margot Astrachan, Robert Blume, Kristine Lewis, Jamie Fox, Joanna Kerry & Heather Duke.

Further details of the production to be announced later.

Tony award winner Jim Dale last appeared on Broadway in the Roundabout's production of 'The Threepenny Opera' (2006 revival) playing Mr. Peachum for which he was nominated for a 2006 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He won the 1980 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as 'Phineas' in 'Barnum (1980). His other Broadway credits include 'Candide' (1997 revival), Me and My Girl (1986), Joe Egg (1985 revival), Scapino (1974),

Busker Alleyis based on the 1938 British motion picture, 'St. Martin�s Lane,' starring Charles Laughton and Vivien Leigh, which itself was based on the 1928 Marlene Dietrich/Emil Jannings film 'The Blue Angel.' They were both inspired by the early 20th Century novel, 'Small Town Tyrant' by Heinrich Mann.

Busker Alley was to have opened on Broadway in 1995, starring Tommy Tune as 'Charlie'. That production had an 11 city pre-Broadway tour that literally ended at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Florida when Tommy Tune broke his left foot just weeks before the Broadway opening. Due to Tunes injury the show was cancelled before reaching Broadway.