New Musical Memoir Character Man, Starring Jim Brochu, Opens Off-Broadway March 5 | Playbill

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News New Musical Memoir Character Man, Starring Jim Brochu, Opens Off-Broadway March 5 Urban Stages continues its 30th anniversary season with the New York premiere of Character Man, Jim Brochu’s new musical memoir, which officially opens March 5 following previews that began Feb. 28.

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Jim Brochu

Directed by Robert Bartley, the Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre continues through March 30.

Character Man is described as a "salute to the memorable character actors of Broadway, filled with hilarious theatre stories and touching personal recollections. Sprinkled with juicy backstage lore, the show spotlights the careers of, among others, Zero Mostel, Jack Gilford, Jackie Gleason, George S. Irving, Barney Martin and Brochu’s own mentor, two-time Tony Award-winner David Burns."

“There would be no Broadway without these guys who supported the great stars and got the laughs without getting the girl," said Brochu in a previous statement. "I began my own career as a character man at a time when I got to know these men and learn from them. David Burns was like a second father to me and I grew up backstage hanging out with him [and] some of the others. They were amazing, dear, funny men and I don’t want them to ever be forgotten."

Character Man has a book by Brochu and the music and lyrics of Leslie Bricusse, Jerry Bock, Betty Comden, Stan Daniels, Fred Ebb, Adolph Green, Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Herman, John Kander, Bob Merrill, Anthony Newley, Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, Jule Styne and Meredith Willson.

The production also has scenic and video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty.

Urban Stages is located at 259 West 30th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues). Tickets for all performances are $35 and available through SmartTix.com or by calling (212) 868-4444. For more information visit UrbanStages.org.

 
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