Today in 1955, Finian's Rainbow opened at City Center, where it ran for 15 performances. Finian's Rainbow is a musical with a book by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane. The 1947 Broadway production ran for 725 performances. Finian moves to the southern United States (the fictional state of Missitucky is a humorous combination of Mississippi and Kentucky) from Ireland with his daughter Sharon, to bury a stolen pot of gold near Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief that it will grow. A leprechaun follows them, desperate to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him permanently human. Complications arise when a bigoted and corrupt U.S. Senator gets involved, and when wishes are made inadvertently over the hidden crock.
The album, featuring Yip Harburg-Burton Lane's score, is being produced by Tommy Kasker of PS Classics. The CD's official release date is February 2, 2010 but pre-orders are being accepted now on the show's official web site for shipping in late January.
Broadway World spent the week with busy actor Tyrick Wiltez Jones capturing day to day footage of his hectic life on, off and backstage. Currently featured in the hit revival of FINIAN'S RAINBOW at the St. James Theater, Tyrick's week packs a real punch! 8 performances of Finian's, classroom dance instruction and mentoring, recording a cast album, charity work and more. We got tired just tagging along! Follow Tyrick's footsteps and get a taste of a week in the life of a working Broadway actor!
Finian's Rainbow began previews at Broadway's St. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street, on Thursday, October 8 at 8pm, and celebrated Opening Night, on Thursday, October 29 at 6:45pm. BroadwayWorld and Broadway Beat were on hand to interview the cast including Cheyenne Jackson, Kate Baldwin, Jim Norton and Christopher Fitzgerald. Plus - you'll get to catch extended clips from this classic show!
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