The season will feature works written by Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, George S. Kaufman and Stephen Sondheim as well as a new musical by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian.
Sondheim's bawdy farce A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will open the season at the Eureka Theatre beginning Oct. 6, with an official opening Oct. 9 for a run through Oct. 24. Featuring a book by Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove, the production will star Megan Cavanagh ("A League of Their Own") in a gender-bending performance as the wily Roman slave Pseudolus. This production will commemorate Sondheim's 80th birthday. (42nd Street Moon's artistic director Greg MacKellan noted in a statement that the season's title comes from a Sondheim lyric in the show's opening number "Comedy Tonight".) The score's other classic songs include "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid," "Lovely," "Free" and "That Dirty Old Man."
Murder for Two will continue the season Nov. 3-21, with an official opening Nov. 6. The show boasts a book by Blair and Kinosian, music by Kinosian, and lyrics by Blair. Thomas Caruso will direct. Press notes describe the show as "a mix of Agatha Christie and old-fashioned musical comedy with a dash of 21st century flair." The two-person cast, to be announced, will feature one actor playing an inspector investigating a murder, and another actor playing every suspect; both men will play the piano.
Rodgers and Hart's Babes in Arms will perform Dec. 1-19, opening Dec. 4. According to press notes, "The granddaddy of all 'barn musical' shows features a group of kids whose vaudevillian parents leave them on their own for the summer. To avoid being sent to a work camp, they come up with a musical." The evergreen score contains "My Funny Valentine," "I Wish I Were In Love Again," "Johnny One-Note," "Where or When?" and "The Lady Is a Tramp." The show will be presented in its original version as revised for Encores! in 1999.
2nd Street Moon's celebration of Ira Gershwin continues with Strike Up the Band, performing April 6-24, 2011, with an officially opening April 9. The satirical musical features lyrics by Ira Gershwin, music by his brother George, and book by Kaufman. According to press notes, "With skulking villains, unrequited love and logical insanity worthy of the Marx Brothers (for whom Kaufman wrote), Strike Up The Band is a tongue-in-cheek tale of an American businessman who leads the US into war with Switzerland over… cheese." The score includes the title song, "The Man I Love," "I've Got a Crush On You," "Soon" and "Meadow Serenade." Silk Stockings closes the Eureka season, playing May 4-27, 2011, with an official opening May 7. Based on "Ninotchka," the classic film comedy starring Greta Garbo, the show contains a score by Cole Porter and a book by Kaufman, Leueen McGrath and Abe Burrows. Following the growing attraction between a chilly Russian commissar and an attractive American movie agent, the score features "All of You," "Paris Loves Lovers," "Stereophonic Sound," "Satin and Silk" and "Siberia."
The company's Salon Evenings at the Alcazar Theatre continue Oct. 28, 2010, with a salute to Jerome Kern, as part of 42nd Street Moon's continuing celebration of his work. A celebration of John Kander's music will be presented Jan. 27, 2011. Both evenings will feature Moon regulars and a special guest star performing selections from each composer's storied repertoire.
The Eureka Theatre is located at 215 Jackson Street in San Francisco. The Alcazar Theatre is located at 650 Geary Street in San Francisco. For tickets call (415) 255-8207 or visit www.42ndstmoon.org.
