Bobby's Back! Original Star Harry Groener to Return to CRAZY FOR YOU at MCP

Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP) has announced additional casting for their concert performance of Gershwin's Tony Award-winning musical comedy Crazy for You in its 25th Anniversary year.

The show's original leading man, Harry Groener, will be returning to Crazy for You in the role of Bela Zangler at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center on February 19, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. Groener, whose original portrayal of Bobby Child earned him a Tony-nomination, returns to Crazy For You 25 years to the day from its opening night on Broadway.

Harry Groener sprung onto Broadway in Oklahoma! Playing the role of Will Parker, Groener earned his first Tony nomination, with his work as Munkustrup in Cats earning him his second nomination. Groener's turn as Bobby Child in the original Crazy for You lasted for nearly four years and cemented him as a three-time Tony nominee.

Other Broadway credits include: Spamalot (King Arthur), Sunday in the Park with George (George), Harrigan and Hart (Harrigan). Off-Broadway and Regional credits include: Cyrano de Bergerac (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), King Lear (Deaf West Theatre), An American in Paris (Alley Theatre), The Rover (Williamstown), The Importance of Being Earnest (Old Globe Theatre), If Love Were All (Lucille Lortel Theatre). His indelible career features a long list of TV/Film credits, ranging from Star Trek, The West Wing, Amistad, Patch Adams, Road to Perdition, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Law and Order.

Groener will be joining Tony Award-nominees Tony Yazbeck as Bobby Child and Laura Osnes as Polly Baker. Five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, original choreographer, returns to now direct and choreograph the 25th anniversary concert version of Crazy for You alongside Broadway veteran Kevin Stites who serves as Music Director and Conductor. With numerous credits to his name, Maestro Stites is the current Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He formerly served as Music Director and Conductor for MCP's concert version of Titanic in 2014. In addition to Stroman's choreography from the original production, this performance features a chorus of 240 singers from across the United States, a professional cast and creative team, and the enlarged forces of the New York City Chamber Orchestra. Following the success of The Secret Garden earlier this year, Crazy for You marks the fifth installment of Manhattan Concert Productions' critically acclaimed Broadway Series that has also included Parade, Titanic, and Ragtime.

Further cast and creative team announcements to follow.

Tickets, starting at $75, are currently on sale and may be purchased by visiting www.mcp.us; www.lincolncenter.org; calling CenterCharge (212) 721-6500; or visiting the David Geffen Hall box office at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza (Columbus Avenue at 65th Street)

Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP) is an esteemed production company in its 18th season. MCP has provided opportunity to thousands of musicians in choirs, bands, and orchestras that have performed at famous venues throughout the United States and many countries abroad. Additionally, MCP regularly features the work of professional singers, actors, instrumentalists, conductors and composers. The guest musicians of the Crazy for You chorus will spend five days in New York City rehearsing and performing side-by-side with the professional principal cast and crew as part of Manhattan Concert Productions' continuing mission of student and professional collaboration. Visit www.mcp.us to learn more.