Anderson & Skinner Star in Fanny Hill Musical, Feb. 1-March 26

By: Jan. 09, 2006
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Casting has been announced for Fanny Hill, a new musical by Ed Dixon based on the raunchy 18th century novel by John Cleland, that will disrobe at the York Theatre Company (619 Lexington Avenue at the corner of 54th Street) from February 1st through March 26th, 2006.

Nancy Anderson (Wonderful Town, Kiss Me, Kate, A Class Act) will take on the title role in the musical, which will also feature Tony Award-nominee Emily Skinner (Side Show, The Full Monty); Patti Allison (Orpheus Descending, Angel); David Cromwell (Julius Caesar, The Scarlet Pimpernel); Michael J. Farina (In My Life, Seussical); Gina Ferrall (Big River, Jane Eyre); Adam Monley (Mamma Mia!); Christianne Tisdale (Triumph of Love, Beauty and the Beast) and Tony Yazbeck (Oklahoma!, Gypsy).

The musical "is the story of a beautiful young girl who travels to London to make her fortune and ends up making a great deal more. . . the army, the navy, and most of Parliament. Fanny becomes the foremost practitioner of the world's oldest profession, proves that crime really can pay, and gives new meaning to the expression, 'making it!'," according to notes on the York's website. Fanny Hill, which features book, music and lyrics by Dixon, will be directed by James Brennan, while Michael Bottari and Ronald Case will design the sets and costumes. Phil Monat is the lighting designer.

"Considered the first 'erotic' novel, the witty tale was written in 1749 while Cleland was in debtor's prison in London, and it has also gone on to become a byword for the battle of censorship of erotica. After the book was first published, The Church of England asked the British Secretary of State to stop the progress of the book, 'an open insult upon Religion and good manners,' and as a result, Cleland was arrested. Nonetheless, copies of the book were sold underground and the book eventually made its way to the United States where, in 1821, it was banned for obscenity. In 1963, G. B. Putnam published the book, and it was once again banned for obscenity. The publisher challenged the ban in court, and in a landmark decision in 1966, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Memoirs v. Massachusetts that the banned novel did not meet the standard for obscenity. The novel is still banned in Australia," according to press notes.
 
An October 2004 reading of Fanny Hill featured Amanda Watkins (Cabaret, Urinetown) in the title role, along with Michele Ragusa as Fanny's friend Phoebe and Mary Stout as Mrs. Brown.

Dixon recently received strong reviews for his musical Richard Cory, based on the A.R. Gurney play that took its inspiration from the drolly tragic E.A Robinson poem. The show was presented as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Dixon also has an extensive resume as an actor, appearing on Broadway in Les Miserables, The Three Musketeers, and The Scarlet Pimpernel and on tour in Sunset Boulevard and Pippin. He was also in The Iceman Cometh's Broadway revival, but departed the show early to work on Fanny Hill. Dixon most recently appeared in the York Theatre's Musicals in Mufti presentation of Mirette.

Tickets to Fanny Hill are $45 during previews (performances from February 1 – 13) and $55 (from February 14 – March 26). Tickets can be purchased at www.SmartTix.com or by calling (212) 868-4444. Student rush and senior rush tickets will also be available.

For more information, visit www.fannyhillmusical.com or www.yorktheatre.org.
 
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