King of the Swingers
- Joe Harmston
- Jan 11
- 1 min read
A new musical about the legendary Louis Prima (best known for The Jungle Book’s ‘I’m the King of the Swingers’) and his singing and life partner, Keeley Smith. Winter 1954 finds Louis and Keeley down on their luck and desperate for a gig. The only one they can get is to play the lounge of the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas from midnight to 5am over Christmas. Act One is a frantic rehearsal with Sam Butera and his band, The Witnesses, as they prepare for the act and Keeley breaks the fourth wall to tell us about Louis. Act Two is the first night which was an overnight sensation and changed entertainment history by creating the Vegas Lounge act.
Developed with producer Joe Wenborne, and writer Alan Wightman the project is currently slated for production with The Mill at Sonning in 2026 before a UK and European tour.
