By Ernio Hernandez
01 Jun 2005

The cast for the upcoming Lennon are back in New York and will begin rehearsals next week for the show's Broadway debut, according to production spokespersons.

The new musical Lennon recently announced that it would skip its scheduled Boston run following its world premiere at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre and head right to New York for previews starting June 28 and the original opening night, July 28. Then rescheduled the start to July 7 and opening to Aug. 4 when Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays announced it would extend at the Broadhurst Theatre through June 12.

Billed as "A musical biography, a concert, and a celebration all in one," Lennon will take audiences "on a magical, mythical journey behind the greatest rock legacy and the boldest love story of our time — with words, images and some of the best pop songs ever written." according to show materials. "From the Beatles to the Bed-Ins, from his musical partnership with Paul to his life partnership with Yoko, Lennon will bring you back to a time when music could change your soul... and one musician could change the world."

Written and directed by Don Scardino (A Few Good Men), the new musical Lennon features nine actors portraying the late Beatles singer-songwriter John Lennon at various stages in his life backed by an onstage 10-piece band. 27 songs from the substantial Lennon oeuvre will be featured in the musical, among them "Imagine," "Instant Karma," "Give Peace a Chance," "(Just Like) Starting Over," and "Whatever Gets You Through the Night."

Will Chase (Aida), Chuck Cooper (Caroline, or Change), Julie Danao (Rent, Aida tours), Mandy Gonzalez (Aida, Dance of the Vampires), Marcy Harriell (Lucky Duck, "Ed"), Chad Kimball (Into the Woods), Terrence Mann (Les Misérables), Julia Murney (The Wild Party) and Michael Potts (Twelfth Night) comprise the ensemble cast of the new Broadway musical.

Producers Allan McKeown, Edgar Lansbury, Clear Channel Entertainment and Jeff Sine present Lennon by arrangement with Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. Ono also gave permission for the production to use two unpublished Lennon songs "India, India" and "I Don't Want to Lose You."

For more information, visit www.lennonthemusical.com.

A scene from the San Francisco try-out of Lennon
photo by Joan Marcus