Century's artistic producer and musical director Seth Rudetsky told Playbill.com that the Boyz foursome will open the second act with their four-part harmony rendition of "Life Is Like a Train." As previously reported, the Sept. 26 concert at the New Amsterdam Theatre will also feature the talents of Marin Mazzie (as Lily Garland), Douglas Sills (as Oscar Jaffe), Christopher Sieber (as Bruce Granit), Brad Oscar (as Oliver Webb), Jo Anne Worley (as Letitia Primrose) and Brooks Ashmanskas (as Owen O'Malley). The cast, which is still in formation, will be accompanied by a 26-piece orchestra.
Rudetsky, who conceived the idea for the Actors' Fund's annual concerts (Dreamgirls, Funny Girl, Chess, Hair), said this year's concert will be directed by Peter Flynn with choreography by Denis Jones. The creative team will also include Paul Weimer (set design), Rob Bevenger (costume design), Jeff Croiter (lighting design), Scott Stauffer (sound designer), Tim Pinckney (concert adaptation). Producers include Andrew Kato, Catherine Cooke and Pinckney.
On the Twentieth Century features a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Cy Coleman. The original Broadway production opened at the St. James Theatre in February 1978, playing 449 performances before closing in March 1979. The original company, directed by Harold Prince, included Madeline Kahn, John Cullum, Kevin Kline and Imogene Coca. The musical won 1978 Tonys for Score (Coleman, Comden and Green), Scenic Designer (Robin Wagner), Book (Comden and Green) and actors Kline and Cullum.
The Actors' Fund of America, a nonprofit organization founded in 1882, provides for the social welfare of all entertainment professionals. Its headquarters and The Aurora Residence are located in New York City, and its nursing home and assisted living care facility are in Englewood, New Jersey.
Tickets for the one-night-only benefit are priced $75-$2,500 and are available by calling (212) 221-7300, ext. 133 or by e-mailing [email protected]. For more information visit www.actorsfund.org.
