ON THE TOWN Opens Tonight, 11/19

On the Town, the opening production of New York City Center's 2008-09 Encores! season, opens tonight, November 19th. On the Town, the first Broadway musical written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green with a score by Leonard Bernstein, will be directed by John Rando with music direction by Todd Ellison and choreography by Warren Carlyle. 

On the Town, with music by Leonard Bernstein and book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green based on an idea by Jerome Robbins, was inspired by Robbins' 1944 ballet, "Fancy Free." Although much of the original choreography has been lost, Robbins did restage three numbers for Jerome Robbins' Broadway in 1989.   Carlyle will reproduce the original Robbins' choreography for three numbers: "New York, New York," "Ya Got Me," and "Times Square Ballet."  Scott Wise, who won the Tony Award for his performance in Jerome Robbins' Broadway, will assist Mr. Carlyle in reconstructing the choreography.

The cast includes Justin Bohon, Christian Borle, Michael Cumpsty, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Leslie Kritzer, Andrea Martin, Julyana Soelistyo, Jennifer Laura Thompson and Tony Yazbeck, with Lawrence Alexander, Andrea Beasom, Kristine Bendul, Tanya Birl, Angie Canuel, John Carroll, Rachel Coloff, Michael Cusumano, Susan Derry, Emilee Dupre, Autumn Hurlbert, Ryan Jackson, Mary MacLeod, Monica L. Patton, Adam Perry, Steve Schepis, Geno Segers, Charlie Sutton, Kevin Vortmann, Price Waldman, J.D. Webster and Ashley Yeater.

Set in wartime 1944, On the Town chronicles the adventures of three sailors (Justin Bohon, Christian Borle and Tony Yazbeck) on a 24-hour shore leave in New York City. Their fabulous day-long journey is spurred by a search for sailor Gabey's dream girl, "Miss Turnstiles." Along the way, each sailor falls in love with a woman, and with New York City itself.

ON THE TOWN PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, November 19 at 8:00 pm
Thursday, November 20 at 8:00 pm
Friday, November 21 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 23 at 6:30 pm

Tickets for On the Town are available at the New York City Center Box Office (West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues), through CityTix(R) at 212-581-1212, or online at www.nycitycenter.org. Tickets for the Orchestra, Grand Tier and Mid-Mezzanine are $95; tickets for the Rear Mezzanine and Front Gallery are $50; tickets for the Rear Gallery are $25.