The Lyric Theatre will reopen after a renovation that is currently being completed by its new owners, Ambassador Theatre Group. This historic theatre was created from a combination of the original Apollo Theater and the original Lyric Theatre that stood on the site.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to make the Lyric Theatre our home for On the Town,” said producers Howard and Janet Kagan in a statement. “This classic Broadway theatre, right on 42nd Street in the heart of Times Square, is the perfect spot, and now is the perfect time to bring this big, brassy musical comedy back to The Great White Way.”
Sir Howard Panter, of the Ambassador Theatre Group, added: “On the Town is the quintessential New York musical-comedy, and the perfect show to reopen the Lyric following its renovation. This is a musical with timeless songs, beautiful dance, and lots of heart, and we’re very proud to partner with the producers and creative team to present their wonderful show on our stage.”
The production, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the classic musical, will be directed by Tony winner John Rando, who helmed the recent, critically acclaimed City Center Encores! and Barrington Stage productions of On the Town. It will feature choreography by Joshua Bergasse, who choreographed the Barrington Stage production and will be making his Broadway debut as a choreographer with this show.
On the Town was created by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jerome Robbins. "The Bronx is up, the Battery's down, and three sailors are hoping to get just a little bit lucky on their one day of leave in the Big Apple," according to press notes. "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 score features the standards “New York, New York,” “I Can Cook Too,” “Lonely Town” and “Some Other Time” and will be played with their original orchestrations, performed by what will be the largest orchestra on Broadway, with 28 musicians led by musical director James Moore.
The upcoming production will also feature scenic design by Tony nominee Beowulf Boritt, lighting design by Drama Desk nominee Jason Lyons, costume design by Tony Award winner Jess Goldstein and sound design by Tony nominee Kai Harada.
Alysha Umphress, Tony Yazbeck, Clyde Alves, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Elizabeth Stanley and Jackie Hoffman were featured in a December 2013 workshop of the Broadway-aimed revival. Read about it here.
