James A. Rocco is the writer, director and host of the cabaret-style evening, which features musical direction by Raymond Berg.

The cast comprises Gary Briggle, Dieter Bierbrauer, Jennifer Eckes, Kendra McMillan, Aja Parham, Randy Schmeling and Erin Schwab.

The production celebrates the history of the American musical theatre by taking a journey through the first 100 years of Broadway. Attendees can expect to hear selections from Annie Get Your Gun, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Show Boat, Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, Gypsy and more.

“The Broadway Songbook series was created as a way to share the joy and importance of American musical theater with the community,” said James A. Rocco, Ordway’s vice president of programming and producing artistic director, in an earlier statement. “Over the past three seasons we’ve focused on the works of many different writers and composers. I thought it was time we take a step back and give an overview of how those musicals got started.”

Broadway Songbook: The First 100 Years of Broadway will also launch a five-city tour throughout greater Minnesota this fall. This will mark the first time that a Broadway Songbook series has toured. Tour dates follow:

Oct. 9
Paramount Theatre – Austin, MN
austinareaarts.org

Oct. 11
The Sheldon Theatre – Red Wing, MN
Tickets available now at sheldontheatre.org or (800) 899-575

Oct. 23
Dawson-Boyd Arts Association – Dawson, MN
(320) 769-2955 ext. 246

Oct. 25
Historic Holmes Theatre – Detroit Lakes, MN
Tickets on sale Sept. 1 at dlccc.org or (218) 844-7469

Nov. 2
Paramount Theatre – St. Cloud, MN
Tickets available now at paramountarts.org or (320) 259-5463

Tickets for the Ordway engagement are $37 and can be purchased online at ordway.org, by phone at (651) 224-4222 or in person at the Ordway ticket office.