Composer Hugh Martin has written a new opening number for the production, which plays through March 21. Entitled "Up to My Eyebrows," the song by the 89-year-old Martin will be performed by Leah Hocking. Playwright David Ives has adapted the script for the York's mounting of the musical, which features a score by Martin and Ralph Blane.
Directed by Jay Binder, Best Foot Forward features the talents of Justin Bohon, Jen Cody, Tom Deckman, Sarah Jane Everman, Angela Gaylor, Leah Hocking, Phillip LeStrange, Stacie Morgain Lewis, Michael Mastro, Mark Price, Jim Stanek and Gene Weygandt. Michael Dansicker is the musical director with choreography by Kelli Barclay. The remainder of the creative team includes Ben Pearcy (lighting design), Carrie Robbins (costume design) and Michael Dansicker (vocal and dance arrangements).
The original 1941 production of Best Foot Forward was directed by the legendary George Abbott, featured a book by John Cecil Holm and spawned the hit tune "Buckle Down Winsocki." A young Nancy Walker was among the original cast.
The Mufti season continues March 26-28 with Harold Rome's Fanny in a production helmed by Michael Montel. With musical direction by Andrew Gerle, the cast will include Matt Bogart, David Pittu, David Schramm and Martin Vidnovic. Originally produced by David Merrick, Fanny is a musical version of Pagnol's Marius trilogy and originally starred Ezio Pinza and Florence Henderson. Fanny show times are March 26 at 8 PM, March 27 at 2:30 and 8 PM and March 28 at 2:30 and 7:30 PM.
The Musicals in Mufti season concludes with Alan Menken, Alan Brennert and David Spencer's Weird Romance. This newly revised version features two new songs and a cast led by Darius de Haas, John Hickok, Marcy Harriell, Deven May, Brooke Sunny Moriber and Karen Ziemba. Sheryl Keller directs with musical direction by Fred Lassen. Show times for the science fiction musical are April 2 at 8 PM, April 3 at 2:30 and 8 PM and April 4 at 2:30 and 7:30 PM. Show times for Best Foot Forward are March 19 at 8 PM, March 20 at 2:30 and 8 PM and March 21 at 2:30 and 7:30 PM. Tickets, priced $20-$35, are available by calling (212) 868-4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com. All shows are performed at the York Theatre's home at the theater at Saint Peter’s in Citigroup Center, 619 Lexington Avenue (at 54th Street).
