The composer of the Broadway musicals Sweet Charity, Little Me, Wildcat, On the Twentieth Century, Barnum, The Life and The Will Rogers Follies died in 2004, but his internationally-known songs — including the title number — linger on. "I've Got Your Number," "Witchcraft," "Big Spender" are among his hits, and they appear in the show, which began previews May 18 at 59E59 Theaters.
Here is a look at the production:
Zippel, who shared a Best Score Tony Award with Coleman for City of Angels, and was working on new shows with him in 2004, staged The Best Is Yet to Come for California's Rubicon Theatre Company in 2009. It now resurfaces (with a slightly different cast) through July 3 as part of 59E59 Theaters' Americas Off Broadway series, which gives New York exposure to regional not-for-profit troupes.
The Best Is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman features David Burnham (Wicked), Tony Award nominee Sally Mayes (She Loves Me, Coleman's Welcome to the Club), Tony Award nominee Howard McGillin (The Phantom of the Opera, Anything Goes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Billy Stritch (Liza's at the Palace), Tony Award winner Lillias White (The Life, Fela!, Barnum) and Rachel York (Coleman's City of Angels). An eight-piece onstage band sweetens the experience. Musical direction is by Billy Stritch. Orchestrations are by Don Sebesky.
The Best Is Yet to Come includes the professional premiere of four Coleman-Zippel songs. Expect to hear lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Betty Comden & Adolph Green, Dorothy Fields, Ira Gasman, Carolyn Leigh, Michael Stewart and Zippel.
Tickets range $45-$65. For information, visit TicketCentral.com or 59e59.org.
