Looks Like He Made It: Manilow on Broadway Begins Jan. 18

By Kenneth Jones
18 Jan 2013

Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow

Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, the man who writes the songs that make the whole world sing, as his lyric goes, moves to Broadway starting Jan. 18, when Manilow On Broadway — his new concert — begins at the St. James Theatre.

Opening night is Jan. 24. The engagement plays to Feb. 23. (Manilow was originally announced to play a 17-performance engagement to Feb. 9). The St. James, at 246 W. 44th Street, was the recent home of Bring It On: The Musical.

The Grammy Award winner has sold 80 million records. He's also got a passion for musical theatre; he wrote the scores for the musicals Harmony and Copacabana.

"Manilow is returning to the place where it all began, his hometown, New York City, with a new concert series on Broadway — marking his return to The Great White Way for the first time in more than two decades," according to producers, who announced the booking on Oct. 22, 2012.

At the age of seven, Brooklyn native Manilow was taking accordion lessons and playing on a neighbor's piano. He attended New York College of Music and the Juilliard School of Music while working in the mailroom at CBS. He subsequently became musical director for a CBS show named "Callback," a predecessor to "American Idol," which led to working in the world of advertising jingles.

Manilow has had 25 consecutive Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1975 and 1983. The list includes songs that Manilow still sings today: "Mandy," "It's a Miracle," "Could It Be Magic," "I Write the Songs," "Tryin' To Get the Feeling Again," "This One's For You," "Weekend in New England," "Looks Like We Made It," "Can't Smile Without You," "Even Now," and the Grammy Award-winning "Copacabana (At the Copa)."

"Growing up in New York, Broadway has always held a special place in my heart and I am honored to have the opportunity to make the St. James Theatre my home in the New Year," stated Manilow. Manilow on Broadway is presented by Jujamcyn Theaters and STILETTO Entertainment.

Tickets range in price from $50 to $350. For tickets, visit ManilowOnBroadway.com or call (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.

Barry Manilow Fan Club tickets are available at manilow.com and by calling (310) 957-5788.

Manilow on Broadway plays the following weekly performance schedule: Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday at 7 PM, Thursday at 8 PM, Friday at 8 PM and Saturday at 8 PM.