Six performances of the musical were canceled in order for Univision to utilize the Lyric for its upfront presentations to potential advertisers and the TV industry press. In addition to renting out On the Town's Broadway home, Univision also paid for the six canceled performances.
On the Town, the iconic musical created by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jerome Robbins, officially opened Oct. 16, 2014, following previews Sept. 20 at the Lyric (formerly the Foxwoods and the Ford Center for the Performing Arts).
The production was recently nominated for four 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.
The production, which marks the 70th anniversary of the classic musical, is directed by Tony winner John Rando, who helmed the recent, critically acclaimed City Center Encores! and Barrington Stage productions of On the Town. It also features choreography by Joshua Bergasse, who choreographed the Barrington Stage production and is making his Broadway debut as a choreographer with this show. The cast is headed by Tony Yazbeck, Jay Armstrong Johnson and Clyde Alves as the sailors on 24-hour shore leave who take on the Big Apple; Megan Fairchild, Alysha Umphress and Elizabeth Stanley as the women who steal their hearts; and Jackie Hoffman in the role of Madame Dilly with Tony Award winner Michael Rupert as Judge Pitkin, Allison Guinn as Lucy Schmeeler, Tony nominee Phillip Boykin and Stephen DeRosa.
"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 are being played with their original orchestrations, performed by what is the largest orchestra on Broadway, with 28 musicians led by musical director James Moore.
The production also has scenic and projection design by Tony winner Beowulf Boritt, lighting design by Drama Desk nominee Jason Lyons, costume design by Tony Award winner Jess Goldstein, sound design by Tony nominee Kai Harada and hair and makeup design by Leah Loukas.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
