Remember that book about Johnny Carson by the late talk show host’s lawyer, Henry Bushkin? Well, Bushkin has decided to turn it into a musical. Yes, that’s right, “Carson: The Musical.”
A casting call has gone out for a December workshop here in New York for a show written by Jamie Malanowski, with songs by Malanowski and a musician named Doug Kataros. There are a LOT of characters including Joan Rivers, Ed McMahon, Freddie de Cordova (Johnny’s famous producer) plus Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Cosby, Sonny Werblin, NBC chief Fred Silverman, all of Johnny’s ex wives, his children, and his parents.
So far, no listing for a Doc Severinsen. Maybe that’s because the 87 year old jazz bandleader is still very much alive. But it’s a musical– wouldn’t the Tonight show band be on stage?
Bushkin is a character in the show. He’s described as “sincere and honest, a bit wide-eyed, but smart as a whip.”
If only Gordon McRae were alive!
