A spokesperson for the production confirmed that the previously announced Paul Sorvino (in the title role) will be joined by Eddie Korbich as the Doctor, Leah Hocking as Cleo and Ivan Hernandez as Joe. Directed by Philip Wm McKinley, Fella will begin performances March 4, 2006, with an official opening set for March 7. The limited engagement, which plays in repertory with La Bohème and Lysistrata, ends March 25.
The New York City Opera production will be conducted by George Manahan. The creative team will also feature Michael Anania (set design), Ann Hould Ward (costume design), Robert Wierzel (lighting design) and Peggy Hickey (choreography).
The Most Happy Fella, features book, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and is based on Sidney Howard's "They Knew What They Wanted." The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1956, features such tunes as "Standing on the Corner," "Joey, Joey, Joey," "Big D," "Somebody, Somewhere" and "My Heart Is so Full of You." The musical concerns “an aging vineyard owner named Tony [who] courts a pretty young waitress, Rosabella, through the mail and wins her over with a marriage proposal with a picture enclosed. Afraid of rejection, though, he has sent a picture of his handsome foreman. Rosabella discovers the ruse, but true love brings about a most happy ending.”
Leah Hocking was on Broadway last season in the Elvis Presley-inspired musical All Shook Up. Her other Main Stem credits include Dance of the Vampires, Hairspray, The Wild Party, Jekyll & Hyde, Grease and Guys and Dolls. Eddie Korbich was most recently seen in the comedy After the Night and the Music; his other Broadway credits include Wicked, Seussical, Carousel and Sweeney Todd. Ivan Hernandez was featured in the Broadway-bound musical The Mambo Kings; his regional credits include productions of Sweeney Todd and Señor Discretion Himself.
New York City Opera productions are presented at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center (63rd Street and Columbus Avenue). Tickets, priced $16-$120, are available by calling (212) 721-6500. Visit www.nycopera.com for more information.
