Promises, Promises, The Boys From Syracus and Sweet Adeline will be the three rarely-produced musicals revived in concert format as the 1997 "Encores!" series at New York's City Center.
Subscriptions go on sale 11 AM (ET) Nov. 18. Single tickets go on sale by phone Jan. 12; at the box office Jan. 13. Call (212) 581-1212.
Recent "Encores!" seasons have seen high-profile revivals of Chicago (transferring to Broadway in November), Pal Joey (starring Patti LuPone) and One Touch of Venus (with Melissa Errico).
All the above were presented under the stewardship of director Walter Bobbie, who left to direct Chicago on Broadway. This year's series was chosen by Kathleen Marshall, Encores's new artistic director, and Rob Fisher, the music director. Owing to the popularity of the series, a fifth performance has been added for each show.
Here is the season, as reported in the New York Times: * Promises, Promises," the 1968 musical based on Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning film The Apartment, with music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David and book by Neil Simon. The rarely-heard score influenced Sondheim's Company. Songs include "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," "She Likes Basketball" and "When To Leave." (Feb. 13-16).
* Sweet Adeline, a rarely-revived 1929 musical written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein 2d as a vehicle for their Show Boat star, torch singer Helen Morgan, who played a Broadway star on the rise from humble beginnings. Songs include "Why Was I Born?" and "Don't Ever Leave Me" (but not "Sweet Adeline"). (March 20-23).
* The Boys From Syracuse, the 1938 Richard Rodgers/ Lorenz Hart musical, with George Abbott's book based on Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors (also the inspiration for Oh, Brother!), about two sets of long-separated twins. The score includes "This Can't Be Love," "Falling in Love With Love" and "Sing for Your Supper." (May 1-4).
Casts for the "Encores!" shows generally are announced just weeks before opening, but have included some of Broadway's best.
The Boys From Syracuse was among musicals suggested for the 1997 season by members of Playbill On-Line in a July 1996 Playbill Poll, but several other favorites, including Carrie and The Golden Apple will have to wait until another season.
-- By Robert Viagas
