Directed by James Brennan, the musical based on John Cleland's "notoriously naughty" eighteenth-century novel will run through March 26. Michael Bottari and Ronald Case will design the show's sets and costumes. No casting has been announced, although an October 2004 reading featured Amanda Watkins (Urinetown, Cabaret) as Fanny, Michele Ragusa (A Class Act, Ragtime) as her dear friend Phoebe and Mary Stout (Jane Eyre, Beauty and the Beast) as "the delectably devious" Mrs. Brown.
Fanny Hill, according to the York's website, "is the story of a beautiful young girl who travels to London to make her fortune and ends up making a great deal more. . . the army, the navy, and most of Parliament. Fanny becomes the foremost practitioner of the world's oldest profession, proves that crime really can pay, and gives new meaning to the expression, 'making it!'"
Composer Dixon studied voice at Manhattan School of Music and has worked steadily for years as an actor in both musical and non-musical roles. His credits include Broadway's The Iceman Cometh, as Piet Wetjoen, but he left the run early to nurture Fanny Hill in Connecticut. Dixon also has on his resume a long stint as Thernardier on Broadway in Les Misérables, Cardinal Richelieux in The Three Musketeers and Ozzy in The Scarlet Pimpernel (all on Broadway). On tour he was Max in Sunset Boulevard (Joseph Jefferson Award nomination) and Charles in Pippin.
Dixon also penned Richard Cory, a new musical adapted from an A.R. Gurney play that was mounted at the Lion's Theatre in September as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
The York Theatre Company is located at 619 Lexington Avenue at the corner of 54th Street. Tickets, priced $45-$55, are available by calling (212) 868 4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com. For more information, go to www.yorktheatre.org.