Kander and Ebb's Curtains Opens Tonight on Broadway

New musical comedy Curtains opens tonight, March 22, on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street, west of Eighth Avenue). The show features one of the last scores by the legendary songwriting team of Kander & Ebb, and stars David Hyde Pierce as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi and Debra Monk as producer Carmen Bernstein. The production saw its world premiere on August 9, 2006 at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.

According to press notes, "Curtains unfolds backstage at Boston's Colonial Theatre in 1959, where a new musical could be a Broadway smash, were it not for the presence of its talent-free leading lady.  When the hapless star dies on opening night during her curtain call, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (David Hyde Pierce) arrives on the scene to conduct an investigation.  But the lure of the theatre proves irresistible and after an unexpected romance blooms for the stage-struck detective, he finds himself just as drawn toward making the show a hit, as he is in solving the murder."

The production also stars Karen Ziemba, Jason Danieley, Jill Paice, Niki Harris, Edward Hibbert, John Bolton, Michael X. Martin, Michael McCormick, Noah Racey, Ernie Sabella, and Megan Sikora.

Curtains also features book by Rupert Holmes (multiple Tony Award-winner for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Say Goodnight Gracie), music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb (the Tony Award-winning songwriters of Cabaret, Chicago, New York New York), original book and concept by Tony Award-winner Peter Stone (1776, Titanic, The Will Rogers Follies). Additional lyrics are by John Kander & Rupert Holmes. Four-time Tony Award-nominee Scott Eliis directs. Choreography is by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie).
 
Set design is by Anna Louizos, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski and sound design by Brian Ronan.  Orchestrations are by William David Brohn.  Dance arrangements are by David Chase.  Music direction and vocal arrangements are by David Loud. Wig and hair design is by Paul Huntley.  Fight direction is by Rick Sordelet.  Aerial effects design is by Paul Rubin.  Make-up design is by Angelina Avallone.  Associate Choreographer is Joann M. Hunter.  Production Supervisor is Beverley Randolph.  Technical Supervisor is Peter Fulbright.  Casting is by Jim Carnahan.

Tickets are on sale now at Telecharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com or in person at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office (302 West 45th Street).

Curtains runs Tuesday-Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, and Sunday at 3:00 PM.  Starting March 27th, Tuesday evening performances will be at 7:00 PM.

For more information, visit www.CurtainsTheMusical.com.

Photo of David Hyde Pierce by Linda Lenzi

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