A Broadway musical about making Broadway musicals, 42nd Street is a classic “dance- heavy” production. The Paramount Theater production will feature live music from the Theater’s orchestra as the production pays tribute to the classic Broadway musicals of yesteryear.
History:
The musical is based on a novel by author Bradford Ropes and its subsequent 1933 film adaptation about how a domineering director tries to put together a musical extravaganza in the midst of the Great Depression.
The story was adapted into a musical by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, who wrote the book for the musical. Al Dubin provided the lyrics and Harry Warren composed the music, as producer David Merrick took up the challenge of staging the production.
The play premiered in June 1980 at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, to gauge what sort of response it would get. After six previews the musical opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater in August. The play was a huge success and after its run at the Winter Garden, it moved to the Majestic Theater and then to St. James, where it finally closed after 3,468 shows.
The musical was next staged at London’s West End, where it premiered in August 1984 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it again was a smash hit and won the Olivier Award for best musical. In 2001, it was revived by writer Mark Bramble, and opened at the Foxwoods Theater on Broadway. Running for 1,524 performances, it met with overwhelming positive response, and won a Tony Award for ‘Best Revival of a Musical.’
About the Play:
Authentic, gorgeous costumes, elaborate sets and extravagant props, the show takes the audience back to the 1930’s New York, where a young girl and aspiring actress, Peggy Sawyer, comes to Broadway in the hope of launching her acting career. But coming to New York City presents challenges for a naïve young girl who has to work hard to keep the city wolves at bay, while she tries to work her way up the ladder to success.
She gets her big break when she is spotted by famous Broadway director Julian Marsh, who offers her a chance to sing in his new production’s choir. But just like the city, Broadway is also full of villains and heroes both off and on the stage. Just like countless other actors before her, Peggy has to encounter all these problems to achieve stardom.
A rags to riches story, the musical features some of Broadway’s greatest hits, including We’re in the Money, Lullaby of Broadway, and the famous title track, 42nd Street itself. Armed with a captivating storyline, great music and that special “oomph” factor, this is one production no theater lover can afford to miss.