The Lost Boys
A New Musical
Playbill cover of Broadway run
Music	The Rescues
Lyrics	The Rescues
Book	David Hornsby Chris Hoch
Setting	The fictional town of Santa Carla, California
Basis	The Lost Boys
Premiere	April 26, 2026: Palace Theatre

The Lost Boys: A New Musical is a musical with music and lyrics by American indie pop/rock^[1] band the Rescues and a book by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch, based on the 1987 comedy horror cult classic film The Lost Boys.^[2]

Directed by Michael Arden, the show opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in April 2026.

Producers Patrick Wilson, James Carpinello, and Marcus Chait had issues securing the stage rights for The Lost Boys from Warner Bros until the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020: "We had a lot of time to Zoom, a lot of time to meet with masks and talk about how we bring vampires to life."^[3] Director Michael Arden suggested The Rescues as the musical's lyricists and composers, and the musical's producing team reached out to the band at a concert in 2021.^[4] An industry-only presentation of The Lost Boys was held on March 14, 2025.^[5]

The song "Have to Have You" was released as a single on October 14, 2025, along with a video to promote the musical. The recorded demo featured an electric guitar solo from Slash.^[3] The subsequent EP The Santa Carla Sessions was released on Halloween, featuring two additional songs from the musical: "Wild" and "Belong to Someone".^[6]

Broadway previews at the Palace Theatre began March 27, 2026,^[7] and The Lost Boys opened April 26, receiving mixed to positive reviews.^[8]

In 1987, Lucy Emerson and her sons, Michael and Sam, move to seaside Santa Carla ("No More Monsters"). Michael rides his motorcycle to explore the boardwalk ("Lose Yourself"), where a flirtation with a girl named Star leads him into the audience for local rock band The Lost Boys (performing "Have to Have You"). Band leader David invites Star on stage to sing, and Michael becomes infatuated with her.

Video rental store owner Max offers Lucy a job. Sam meets the Frog Brothers in a comic book shop; they warn him about dangers lurking in Santa Carla ("Murder Capital of the World"). Michael scrounges for items Star needs to pierce his ear, while David warns Star that she needs to feed ("Hurt a Little"). Faced with Michael's blood, Star runs off and David finishes the piercing before introducing Michael to the other band members: drummer Paul, guitarist Marko, and bassist Dwayne. David offers Michael a guitar lesson as a distraction ("Time to Kill"). Michael evades harm when others arrive, and Max escorts the Emersons back home. The Lost Boys kill a video store clerk.

At her new Video Max job, Lucy hopes she can find happiness in Santa Carla after her failed marriage ("The Good Part"). That evening, Michael and Star admit their mutual attraction ("Now, Forever"). The Lost Boys interrupt, with David goading Michael into a motorcycle race to Coronado Bluff ("Lost Boy"). Despite Star pleading with Michael to go home, he accepts David's invitation to the band's home in the steelworks factory. After David adds his blood to a goblet of wine, Michael accepts the offer to drink and join their "family", to the band's enthusiasm and Star's horror ("My Heart with You"). The Lost Boys take Michael to a bridge, where they each drop from the railing as a train approaches. Instead of falling, Michael finds himself flying alongside the Lost Boys ("Belong to Someone").

While Michael assumes the previous night was a strange dream, Max takes Lucy on a tour of Santa Carla. The Frog Brothers sneak into the Emerson house and offer Sam a comic book vampire survival guide. Michael exhibits strange symptoms and has a hallucination of his abusive father, nearly attacking Sam as he tries to fight off the vision. Michael begins to fly again, loses control, and crashes through Sam's window as the Lost Boys perform ("The Secret Comes Out").

Sam tells the Frog Brothers about Michael's strange behavior, and they confirm he's becoming a vampire ("My Brother Is A..."). Max takes Lucy to the now-abandoned Neverland playground, once a fond part of her youth, and they romp around the old park ("Wild"). Michael confronts the Lost Boys at their concert, and David reassures him they are on this path together ("Belong to Someone" reprise). Watching in horror as the Lost Boys feed on a group of surfers, Michael runs away tormented by a vision of his father ("You Belong to Me"). Star refuses to feed despite her waning strength ("War").

Sam and the Frog Brothers attempt to uncover the head vampire, putting Max through a series of tests during dinner at the Emerson house ("Mom's Boyfriend Is A..."). Michael and Star resolve to help each other no matter what ("Lose Yourself" reprise). Lucy laments that she can't seem to help her troubled son ("Michael"). Motivated by the Frog Brothers and his comic books, Sam realizes how to tap into his inner strength and embrace his identity ("Superpower"). The Emersons and their allies gather courage for the looming conflict ("No More Monsters" reprise). A battle ensues when the vampires attack. Max reveals his scheme to make Lucy the mother of his vampire clan, but her protective instincts ultimately triumph ("The Reckoning"). Fortunate to defeat the vampires, the survivors envision a better future together ("If We Make it Through the Night").

• Official website