The musical will play the Off-Broadway venue through June 15. Steven Marzullo is musical director. The cast boasts Bob Ari as Harry, Joe Cassidy as Doyle, Nikki Renee Daniels as Satin, Brandon Victor Dixon as Leroy, Wendy Fox as a Stripper, Chasten Harmon as Clementine, Linda Hart as Romaine, Larry Keith as Gus, Max Quinlan as a Juggler, Michele Ragusa as Lizzie, Christopher Sergeeff as Juggler and Jasmin Walker as Ruby.
Grind features music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, original book by Fay Kanin and a new book by Brad Rouse. The original Broadway production opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1985 under the direction of Harold Prince.
The musical, according to press notes, is "the story of a seedy 1930s Chicago burlesque house that draws Depression-era customers with a daring mix of white and African American performers. When a backstage romance crosses racial lines and women refuse to be sexually exploited, the show must go on—or will it?" The production, according to the York, includes a new libretto and songs not previously heard in Manhattan.
Grind offers five performances: Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2:30 and 8 PM, and Sunday at 2:30 and 7:30 PM. Audience discussions follow the matinees.
The York Theatre Company plays the Theatre at Saint Peter's, which is located at 54th Street, east of Lexington Avenue. For more information or to purchase tickets, priced $35, call (212) 935-5820 or visit www.yorktheatre.org.
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"Mufti" means "in street clothes, without the usual trappings."
The series of semi-staged performances will also include a new Larry Grossman revue (July 11-13), which will feature songs penned by Grossman for Broadway musicals, television, revues, cabaret acts and a presidential inauguration.