Bye, Bye, Lullaby: 42nd Street Revival Will Close Jan. 2, 2005

By Kenneth Jones
03 Mar 2004

42nd Street Tony winner Christine Ebersole with David Elder.
42nd Street Tony winner Christine Ebersole with David Elder.
Photo by Joan Marcus

Time is running out for fans of musical comedy — the "two most glorious words in the English language," as they say in 42nd Street. The hit Broadway revival of 42nd Street will end its run Jan. 2, 2005.

The revival of the film-inspired musical comedy that opened May 2, 2001, at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts won the Tony for Best Revival that year. Christine Ebersole won the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical.

The producers announced March 3 they have placed the final block of tickets on sale.

Produced by Dodger Stage Holding and Joop van den Ende, 42nd Street also received Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical Revival.

The show was much revised since the 1980 production, and offered extra songs and beefed-production numbers, including eye-popping sequences that include overhead mirrors to show dance patterns and a large staircase on which the entire company tapped its heart out.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael David, a principal with Dodger Stage Holding, said "We are thrilled that 42nd Street will have run for more than 1,600 performances. I'm glad that New Yorkers and visitors now have 10 months to see the most quintessential Broadway show in the most appropriate setting — 42nd Street."

The show is expected to recoup its investment by the time it closes.

Borrowing songs from old Warner Bros. movies, Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble wrote the book (based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the film of the same name), Harry Warren wrote the music, and Al Dubin wrote the lyrics. Bramble directs and choreography is by Randy Skinner.

The design team includes Douglas W. Schmidt (sets), Roger Kirk (costumes) and Paul Gallo (lighting).

Tickets to 42nd Street are available by phone through Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100. Visit 42ndstreetbroadway.com