Midnight Cowboy—A New Musical, based on the James Leo Herlihy novel that inspired the 1969 film starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, will make its world premiere at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant next year.

Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, performances will begin April 4, 2025, for a limited engagement through May 17. Casting will be announced at a later date.

The new musical features a book by Bryony Lavery (Frozen) and a score by Ivor Novello Award winner Francis “Eg” White, who has written songs for Adele, Sam Smith, Florence + The Machine, and James Morrison.

Midnight Cowboy follows Joe Buck, a desperate young man who arrives in the big city seeking wealth and glory and meets Rico 'Ratso' Rizzo. The pair join forces, prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams, even if it means surrendering a part of themselves.

The production will also have musical arrangements, orchestrations, and musical supervision by Charlie Ingles, set and lighting design by Andrew Exeter, costume design by Sophia Pardon, sound design by Yvonne Gilbert, creative development by Winston, production management by James Anderton, musical direction by Ellie Verkerk, props supervision by Katie Balmforth, costume supervision by Josh Bamling, intimacy direction by Lucy Fennell, and dialect coaching by Mary Howland.

The film about the naïve male hustler won 1970 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Direction, and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

ADAMA Entertainment produces.

Visit MidnightCowboyMusical.com.