A musical portrait of Howard Hughes reflecting on love, ambition, and legacy.
In the final moments of his life, Howard Robard Hughes Jr.—the aviator, filmmaker, businessman, and famously reclusive billionaire—looks back on the events that shaped his extraordinary journey. As memories of personal relationships, professional triumphs, and missed opportunities resurface, he confronts a question that neither wealth nor influence could resolve. Framed as an unconventional love story, the musical traces Hughes's reflections on a life lived at the center of American celebrity, industry, and innovation.
The musical features a score by James Scully, with a book by Frank Evans, Jennifer Paulson-Lee, and James Scully. Lyrics are by Frank Evans and Chad Gorn. The production is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Paulson-Lee. The work is the recipient of the Stanley Drama Award and receives its world premiere production from The York Theatre Company.
Set against the backdrop of twentieth-century American history, the musical explores Hughes's evolution from pioneering entrepreneur and Hollywood producer to one of the era's most enigmatic public figures. Through a retrospective structure, the story examines the intersections of ambition, personal relationships, and the consequences of a life lived in pursuit of extraordinary achievement.