My guest on this Pride Encore edition of Broadway Nation is author Maya Cantu who joins me to discuss her book, Greasepaint Puritan — Boston to 42nd Street in the Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes.
42nd Street Revival (2017 West End)
Closing: January 05, 2019
42nd Street - 2017 West End History , Info & More
The musical features a score by Harry Warren and Al Dubin and book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble and is based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the subsequent 1933 Hollywood film adaptation of the same name. This brand new production is directed by Mark Bramble, choreographed by Randy Skinner and will feature scenic design by Douglas W Schmidt and costume design by Roger Kirk.
Billed as a "Broadway fable", 42nd Street is a classic backstage musical that show follows famed director Julian Marsh as he attempts to put on a brand new musical production during the height of the Great Depression. Peggy Sawyer, an unknown chorus girl, gets her big break and goes out on the stage a "youngster" and comes back a "star". With a classic score of musical theatre standards including "We're in the Money", "Lullaby of Broadway", "42nd Street" and "About a Quarter to Nine", this heart-warming musical provides exceptional tap routines and classic comedy.
The original Broadway production opened at the Winter Garden Theater in 1980 produced by David Merrick and directed by Gower Champion and went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical, running for 3,486 performances to January 1989. A West End production opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 8 August 1984 starring Catherine Zeta Jones and went on to win the Olivier Award for Best Musical. It was last seen in the West End at the Dominion Theatre in 1990.
42nd Street - 2017 - West End Cast
BOOKS ABOUT 42nd Street
The Story of 42nd Street: The Theatres, Shows, Characters, and Scandals of the World's Most Notorious Street
Mary C. Henderson and Alexis Greene
Category
42nd Street FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
42nd Street History
Other Productions of 42nd Street
| 1980 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 1983 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
| 1984 | US Tour |
2nd National Tour US Tour |
| 1984 | West End |
London Production West End |
| 1991 | West End |
Return Engagement [West End] West End |
| 2001 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| 2002 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
| 2006 | Pittsburgh, PA (Regional) |
Pittsburgh CLO Revival Pittsburgh, PA (Regional) |
| 2015 | US Tour |
Non-Equity National Tour US Tour |
| 2020 | Chicago |
Lyric Opera of Chicago Production Chicago |
42nd Street - 2017 West End Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Olivier Awards | Best Costume Design | Roger Kirk |
| 2018 | Olivier Awards | Best Theatre Choreographer | Randy Skinner |
Podcasts
Kate Baldwin Finds Creative Purpose Beyond Just Performing (REWIND)
This past fall 2025 I got to see two of my favorite leading ladies on stage. The first was Christine Sherrill, who was making her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia. She and I had first worked together in the out-of-town tryout for First Wives Club back in 2015 that ran for about a month and a half in Chicago.
CRAZY FOR NOSTALGIA! — BROADWAY'S NOSTALGIA CRAZE OF THE 1970s, Part 2.
In this episode I continue my review of Broadway’s Nostalgia Craze of the 1970s and beyond. Many of the musicals that emerged in the late 60s and very early 70s were also influenced by the incipient Nostalgia Craze, even if overall their shows were decidedly modern.
42ND STREET with Karen Prunzik
"Come and meet those dancing feet!" Why? Because those feet have been through a lot! Karen Prunzik originated the role of "Anytime Annie" in one of Broadway's biggest hits 42ND STREET.
#27 - Christine Ebersole - A Staunch Tony Winner
Christine Ebersole talks all things Grey Gardens, Bob Hearts Abishola, Tootsie & SNL. This Broadway legend is as much fun as she is tenacious, and impressed us how she took her career into her own hands and became a Producer.
Episode 135: GO INTO YOUR DANCE: The Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes, part 3
My guest again this week is author Maya Cantu who returns for the third and final part of our conversation about her fascinating book: Greasepaint Puritan — Boston to 42nd Street in the Queer Backstage Novels of Bradford Ropes.
Kate Baldwin Looks for Deeper Creative Purpose Than Just Performing
For only the second time in my career, I’m doing back to back shows at the same theater. First there was Anne of Green Gables this past summer and now there’s 42nd Street here at the Goodspeed Opera House.