Barrington Stage Company has announced principal casting for the Bernstein/Comden/Green musical On the Town from June 12 through July 13 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. The press opening is Sunday, June 16 at 5pm.
On the Town will be directed by Tony Award-winner (Urinetown)
John Rando and choreographed by Emmy Award-winner (TV's SMASH)
Joshua Bergasse, with music direction by
Darren R. Cohen. Rando, Bergasse and Cohen are all BSC Associate Artists.
On the Town marked the Broadway debuts of the music of
Leonard Bernstein, book and lyrics by
Betty Comden and
Adolph Green, based on the ballet "Fancy Free" by
Jerome Robbins.
Barrington Stage Company's cast features
Tony Yazbeck (Gypsy, A Chorus Line) as Gabey; Deanna Doyle (Encores!On Your Toes) as Ivy Smith;
Elizabeth Stanley (Million Dollar Quartet, Encores! Merrily We Roll Along) as Claire;
Clyde Alves (Nice Work If You Can Get It, Anything Goes) as Ozzie;
Jay Armstrong Johnson (Hands on a Hard Body, Working) as Chip;
Alysha Umphress (American Idiot, On A Clear Day...) as Hildy; Tony Award nominee
Nancy Opel(Urinetown, Hello, Dolly! at Ford's Theatre) as Madame Dilly, Tony Award-winner
Michael Rupert (Sweet Charity,Falsettos, Legally Blonde) as Judge Pitkin, and an ensemble of 17.
Actors returning to BSC are
Jay Armstrong-Johnson (Pool Boy) and
Alysha Umphress (Funked Up Fairy Tales).
The design team includes
Beowulf Boritt (sets),
Jennifer Caprio (costumes),
Jason Lyons (lighting), Ed Chapman(sound).
Renee Lutz is production stage manager.
On the Town is the story of
Three Sailors on a 24-hour leave in New York City in 1944. Squeezed for time, they all manage to find love and incredible adventures in the Big Apple. On the Town features the first Broadway score by Bernstein, Comden and Green with such gems as "New York, New York," "I Can Cook Too," "Lonely Town" and "Some Other Time."
Written in less than 8 months following the May 1944 premiere of the
Jerome Robbins ballet "Fancy Free", the musical comedy On the Town opened December 28, 1944, at the Adelphi Theatre with
Betty Comden,
Adolph Green,
John Battles,
Sono Osato,
Cris Alexander, and
Nancy Walker. The show was revived in 1971 (with
Phyllis Newman,
Donna McKechnie and
Bernadette Peters) and 1998 (with
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and
Lea DeLaria). The 2008 NY City Encores! revival starred
Tony Yazbeck,
Leslie Kritzer and
Justin Bohon. The 1949 MGM film starred
Gene Kelly,
Frank Sinatra,
Jules Munshin,
Betty Garrett,
Ann Miller and Vera-Ellen.
On the Town will be presented on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday and Friday matinees at 2pm (excluding 6/12, 6/14 and 6/19), Sunday at 5pm. Please note Thursday, July 4 there is no 8pm evening performance; there will be a 2pm matinee. Press Opening: Sunday, June 16 at 5pm. Tickets start at $20. Tickets to the Low Priced Preview Performances June 12-14 are $15/$20. Seniors: $39 & $34 all matinees. Tickets for youth ages 6-18 are $15 all performances (subject to availability).
There will be a Post-Show Discussion following the June 18 7pm performance of On the Town at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield.
On the Town is sponsored by Berkshire Bank. On the Town is also sponsored in part by Cranwell Resort, Spa, and Golf Club.
Free Conversations with... Event: A Helluva Guy!
Adolph Green's Broadway
Tony-winning composer/lyricist
William Finn (...Spelling Bee) interviews the family of great American playwright, screenwriter and lyricist Tony Award-winner
Adolph Green - Tony-winner
Phyllis Newman, Broadway lyricist
Amanda Green and Vogue theater critic
Adam Green - on his life and career and his experience creating On the Town. A Helluva Guy! will be held Sunday, June 16 at 3pm at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield. While all Conversations with..." events are free, reservations are highly recommended. All seating is general admission. Call the Box Office at 413-236-8888.
