Stephen Schwartz Is ‘Writing Away’ on Houdini for Hugh Jackman; Chicago Premiere Planned Before 2014 Run

The man behind the music of two of Broadway’s biggest musicals right now (Pippin and Wicked) has another new musical coming down the pike, Houdini, starring Tony winner Hugh Jackman. According to a recent interview with the Associated Press, the musical may make a Chicago debut before landing on Broadway as part of the upcoming 2014-2015 season.

The prolific composer/lyricist told the AP that he and an unnamed new librettist are "writing away on it" and that the pair has the entire first act of the musical written. They are hoping to stage a reading of the show in December.

"I'm specifically writing for Hugh, in terms of what I think will sound good in his voice and what sorts of things will really help him to do the things that he does," Schwartz said. “Where does he want to stretch himself? Where does he want to do something that he feels he has and we feel he has that he hasn't really shown before?"

The musical’s director, Tony winner Jack O’Brien, gushed to Broadway.com about the score that Schwartz is creating for the show. “The two ballads Stephen has written, one that closes Act I and one that closes the show, are among the greatest things he’s ever written,” O’Brien said. "Hugh just kills with them. It’s vintage Schwartz, it’s gorgeous.”

Houdini is produced by Scott Sanders and David Rockwell, who will also design the show's sets.