THE NEW YORK TIMES: ‘Nerds,’ a Musical About Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, Heads to Broadway

By JOSHUA BARONE / JANUARY 14, 2016

“Nerds,” a musical satire about the rivalry between the tech pioneers Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, is coming to Broadway.

The show, which has been presented in various stages of development for more than 10 years, begins performances on March 31 at the Longacre Theater, where the musical “Allegiance”concludes its run on Feb. 14. Opening night is scheduled for April 21.

Carl Levin, one of the show’s producers, said in an interview that “Nerds” would, in the spirit of its subject matter, incorporate new innovations in theater technology: holograms, projection mapping, even an in-house app that lets audience members guide the plot. “The show will be slightly different each time,” he said. “If people don’t want to participate, it’s still a traditional musical.”

“Nerds” features a book and lyrics by Jordan Allen-Dutton and Erik Weiner (Adult Swim’s “Robot Chicken”) and music by Hal Goldberg (“The Children”). Casey Hushion (associate resident director, “Aladdin”) will direct, with choreography by Joshua Bergasse (“On the Town”).

The cast has yet to be announced. In a workshop production last spring and a concert performance in 2014, the roles of Mr. Gates and Mr. Jobs were played by Wesley Taylor (“Smash”) and Charlie Pollock (“Violet”).

An early version of “Nerds” ran in 2005 at the New York Musical Theater Festival. From there, it was staged twice by the Philadelphia Theater Company (in 2007 and 2013), as well as by the North Carolina Theater (2013).

Tickets are on sale at the musical’s website.