Photo Flash: Inside Opening Night of Barry Manilow's HARMONY at CTG/Ahmanson Theatre!
By: BWW Special Coverage Mar. 13, 2014
Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's "Harmony," a new musical, opened last night, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre and plays through April 13 (Previews began March 4). Directed by Tony Speciale, with music by Manilow and book and lyrics by Sussman, "Harmony" tells the true story of The Comedian Harmonists, an ensemble of six young men in pre-WWII Germany who rose from unemployed street musicians to become world-famous entertainers, selling millions of records, starring in over a dozen films, and selling out the most prestigious concert halls around the world. Yet while The Comedian Harmonists' sophisticated music, paired with hilarious comedy, made them the brightest of stars, the group's mixture of Jews and non-Jews put them on a collision course with history. "Harmony" is a co-production with the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta. Below, check out a look back at the opening night festivities, including the red carpet, curtain call, and after party!
When Manilow and Sussman began working on "Harmony," Roman "Rabbi" Cykowski was the only surviving member of The Comedian Harmonists, and was able to talk with them about his life and experiences before passing away in 1998. His memories, along with available historical information, provide the basis for the musical.
The cast includes, in alphabetical order, Matt Bailey (first national tour of "Jersey Boys"), Will Blum ("The Book of Mormon" on Broadway), Hannah Corneau ("Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson" and "Fiddler on the Roof" in Chicago),Chris Dwan ( "The Old Boy" and "Peter & I" off-Broadway), Shayne Kennon (European tour of "Madagascar"), Leigh Ann Larkin ("A Little Night Music" and "Gypsy" on Broadway), Will Taylor ("A Chorus Line" and "La Cage Aux Folles" on Broadway) and Douglas Williams ("Tigrane" at Opéra de Nice).
Photos by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Douglas Williams, Chris Dwan, Will Taylor, Shayne Kennon, Matt Bailey, Will Blum
Will Taylor, Shayne Kennon, Matt Bailey, Chris Dwan, Bruce Sussman, JoAnn M. Hunter, Hannah Corneau, Chad Lindsey
Will Taylor, Barry Manilow, Shayne Kennon, Matt Bailey, Chris Dwan, Will Blum, Bruce Sussman, JoAnn M. Hunter, Hannah Corneau, Chad Lindsey
Barry Manilow & Company of HARMONY
Douglas Williams, Will Taylor, Shayne Kennon, Barry Manilow, Matt Bailey, Will Blum, Chris Dwan
Barry Manilow, Michael Feinstein
Barry Manilow, Suzanne Somers, Michael Feinstein
Daena E. Title, Jason Alexander
Michael Feinstein, Suzanne Somers
Carol Bayer Sager
JoAnn M. Hunter, Tony Speciale
Cast members pose during the party for the opening night performance of "Harmony" at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
Lauren Elaine Taylor, Tony Speciale, Hannah Corneau
Will Blum, Matt Bailey, Dave Schoonover
Dana Delany, Brandon O'Dell
Bryan Thomas Hunt, Will Taylor
Leigh Ann Larkin, Tony Speciale
Hannah Corneau, Leigh Ann Larkin
Chris Dwan, Will Taylor, Leigh Ann Larkin, Matt Bailey, Douglas Williams, Will Blum pose
Douglas Williams, Chris Dwan, Will Taylor, Shayne Kennon, Matt Bailey, Will Blum
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