Jenny Made Her Mind Up: Neuwirth Vehicle Will Play San Fran Starting May 1
By Kenneth Jones
06 Apr 2005
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Bebe Neuwirth in promotional art for Here Lies Jenny
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Here Lies Jenny, the unique musical entertainment that jazzed late-night audiences Off-Broadway in summer 2004, will play a San Francisco engagement this spring, with Bebe Neuwirth recreating her work.
Directed and conceived by Roger Rees and choreographed by Neuwirth's Chicago colleague Ann Reinking, the show introduces a bedraggled woman who returns to a run-down watering hole populated by two thugs, a pianist and a barkeep. In a 90-minute span of time, songs by Kurt Weill are performed — not telling a particular story but suggesting tensions in the characters, particularly in the lost "Jenny."
The San Francisco run begins May 1 at the Post Street Theatre. Tickets go on sale April 8. Opening is May 3. The limited engagement plays to May 25.
Music direction and supervision are by Leslie Stifelman.
The remaining cast members for Here Lies Jenny will be announced shortly. The production has scenic design by Neil Patel, costume design by Kaye Voyce, lighting design by Frances Aronson and sound design by Tony Meola.
The West Coast premiere is presented by The Zipper Theatre, Brent Peek and Maria Di Dia.
Post Street Theatre is at 450 Post Street. For information, call (415) 771-6900 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
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"In Here Lies Jenny, Jenny, following her guiding star, roams the dark city streets and, drawn in by its haunting music, she tumbles down into a dock-side gin joint. As she gives herself to the spinning songs — and to the darkly handsome men that have now fallen under her spell — Jenny confronts the romantic pulse of her poignant, funny and turbulent existence. As she and her lovesick companions beat out the soundtrack of her life on the worn wooden floors, Jenny discovers a strength that even she didn't know she had — the courage to face the dawning of another day."
The show features the music of Kurt Weill with the lyrics of Bertolt Brecht, Roger Fernay, Ira Gershwin, Langston Hughes, Alan Jay Lerner, Maurice Magre, Ogden Nash, Franz Werfel and Kurt Weill.
Neuwirth won two Emmy Awards for her work on "Cheers" and two Tony Awards (for 1987's Sweet Charity, in which she played Nickie) and the smash revival of Chicago, as Velma).
Here Lies Jenny originally played Off-Broadway's Zipper Theatre on West 37th Street May 7-Oct. 3, 2004. Its original 35-performance run was extended twice due to popular demand.
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