The musical, like the original novel by Terry Ronald, is a coming-of-age story set in the south east suburb of East Dulwich, London in 1979 about a school boy, David Starr, who is cast as Nancy in a school production of the musical Oliver!

Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell revealed that he bought a copy of Ronald's novel at an airport to read on his flight home to New York City following his work on the West End production of Kinky Boots and wanted to gain the rights to create a stage musical adaptation by which Ronald agreed as a fan of Mitchell's other West End musicals.

The musical made its world premiere at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia from September 6 to October 6, 2019.

[2][3] The musical made its UK premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 2 October running until 2 November 2024.

[8][9][10] Reviews for the Birmingham productions were more positive receiving four and five stars and standing ovations from audiences[citation needed].