Following a world premiere at Boston's Colonial Theatre, the new work began previews at the Imperial Theatre Nov. 20 and opened Dec. 7 to mostly negative critical response. Producers announced Dec. 12 that the show would end Dec. 17.
Walter Bobbie (Chicago, Sweet Charity) directed with choreography by Christopher Gattelli (Altar Boyz). Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman produced the new work along with Live Nation, Roy Miller, Dan Markley, Ruth Hendel/Dazansky Partners and Jam Theatricals.
High Fidelity follows the story of record-store owner Rob (and constant Top 5 listmaker) who — when things in his current relationship go sour — revisits his former relationships to find out where he went wrong.
Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Kimberly Akimbo, Fuddy Meers) penned the book with music by composer Tom Kitt (Laugh Whore, Debbie Does Dallas) and lyrics by Amanda Green (For the Love of Tiffany, Up The Creek Without A Paddle).
Colella plays the recently estranged girlfriend Laura to Chase's Rob. The cast also includes Christian Anderson (Avenue Q, Rent) and Jay Klaitz (The Notebook at Manhattan Theatre Source) as music buffs/record store employees Dick and Barry, respectively. Rachel Stern (Tarzan) portrays gal pal Liz, while Emily Swallow (Measure For Pleasure, Orange Lemon Egg Canary), Caren Lyn Manuel (Rent, Brooklyn), Kirsten Wyatt (Urinetown) and Anne Warren (Hairspray) play women from Rob's many failed romances. Jeb Brown (Ring of Fire, Aida) appears as neighbor Ian. Jon Patrick Walker (White Liars and Black Comedy) is also featured in the ensemble with Justin Brill (All Shook Up), Andrew C. Call (Altar Boyz), Matt Caplan (Rent), Paul Castree, George Merrick, Tom Plotkin and J.B. Wing.
Adam Ben-David served as the music director, Michael Keller was music coordinator and Alex Lacamoire handled music supervision. Kitt and Lacamoire provided orchestrations while Stephen Oremus supplied vocal arrangements.
The song list included "9% Chance of Your Love," "She Goes," "Desert Island Top 5 Break-Ups" and "#5 With a Bullet."
The design team for High Fidelity featured Anna Louizos (set), Theresa Squire (costumes), Ken Billington (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (sound).
The 2000 film reset the Hornby story in Chicago (rather than England) and starred John Cusack, Jack Black, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lisa Bonet, Tim Robbins and Lili Taylor. The Broadway musical is set in New York's Brooklyn.
High Fidelity plays at the Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street (between Broadway and Eighth Ave.). For more information, visit topfivebreakups.com.
