As previously announced, Tony nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot) will direct and choreograph the musical in which "the swinging '60s will meet Broadway."

Prior to its 2010-11 season launch on Broadway, the show will premiere on the West Coast in summer 2010. The producers are Dennis Mastro, Bruce Charet, Billy Campbell, Dennis Farina; and Barry Brown, executive producer.

Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) will write the book for Robin and the 7 Hoods, a property widely known as a 1964 film vehicle for Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack pals. Robin and the 7 Hoods will celebrate songs by the iconic Sammy Cahn & James Van Heusen whose body of work includes "My Kind of Town," "Come Fly with Me," "All The Way," "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" and many more (to be included in the stage score).

Holmes was last represented on Broadway with his book for the Kander and Ebb musical, Curtains (for which he received a Tony Award nomination). Other Broadway writing credits include Say Goodnight, Gracie (Tony Award nomination, Best Play) and the Tony Award-winning Best Musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood (for which he received Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score). In addition, he has written the book for the new musical The First Wives Club which is now playing at The Old Globe in San Diego. He's also writing lyrics to Marvin Hamlisch's music for the new stage musical The Nutty Professor.

Producer Mastro stated, "Rupert Holmes is one of the savviest writers in the business. His understanding of the world of Robin and the 7 Hoods, and his extraordinary wit make Holmes the perfect 'partner' for Cahn & Van Heusen. We're thrilled he's on board." Billed as a "re-thinking of the classic 1964 Warner Brothers film of the same name," Robin and the 7 Hoods "will shine a Broadway light on that sexy, swinging era, where the old culture meets the sexual revolution."

In addition to a book by Holmes and a score by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen, Robin and the 7 Hoods will feature musical supervision by John McDaniel, costume design by Tony Award-winner Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Tony Award-winner Natasha Katz, hair and wig design by Josh Marquette and casting by Tara Rubin. Ken Denison/Aruba Productions is general manager.

Casting and additional Robin and the 7 Hoods news will be announced soon.