Revivals are Broadway’s bread and butter. They are always familiar and fun. But once in a while, a revival comes along that simply knocks the socks off the audience. “On the Town” is that revival. With music by Leonard Bernstein, and Book and Lyrics by the incomparable Betty Comden and Adolph Green, the new Broadway revival of “On the Town” is about three sailors who are hoping to get lucky on their one day of leave in the Big Apple. From the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Coney Island to Times Square and Carnegie Hall, “On the Town” zigzags through New York City as the sailors and the three high-spirited young women they meet chase love, dreams, and each other during an unforgettable day in the city that never sleeps. The classic score features the standards “New York, New York,” “I Can Cook Too,” “Lonely Town,” and “Some Other Time” and is played in this production with original orchestrations, performed by the largest orchestra on Broadway, with 28 musicians led by musical director James Moore. The cast is led by Tony Yazbeck , Jay Armstrong Johnson and Clyde Alves as the sailors on 24-hour shore leave. who take on the Big Apple; Other cast members include Megan Fairchild , Alysha Umphress and Elizabeth Stanley as the women who steal their hearts; and Jackie Hoffman in the role of “Madame Dilly.” Michael Rupert as“Judge Pitkin” alongside Allison Guinn as “Lucy Schmeeler,” Phillip Boykin and Stephen DeRosa. Rounding out the cast is an ensemble of 19, including Chip Abbott, Tanya Birl, Angela Brydon, Holly Ann Butler, Julius Carter, Kristine Covillo, Lori Ann Ferreri, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Stephen Hanna, Eloise Kropp, Brandon Leffler, Jess Leprotto, Cory Lingner, Skye Mattox, Michael Rosen, Samantha Sturm, Christopher Vo, Cody Williams, and Mikey Winslow.
Created by the legendary creative team of Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Jerome Robbins, “On the Town” grew out of the classic Jerome Robbins ballet “Fancy Free,” about three sailors on leave in New York, which debuted in 1944 with the American Ballet Theatre. The musical opened at Broadway’s Adelphi Theater later that year, directed by George Abbott, and played through February 2, 1946 for a total of 462 performances, transferring to the 44th Street Theatre and Martin Beck Theatre along the way.
The production features scenic and projection design by Beowulf Boritt lighting design by Drama Desk nominee Jason Lyons, costume design by Jess Goldstein sound design by Kai Harada and hair design by Leah Loukas. “On the Town” is produced by Howarda and Janet Kagan. It is Broadway at its very best.