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 1980
Closing: January 08, 1989
42nd Street - 1980 Broadway History , Info & More
A big…bright…bold dance musical. It’s the ultimate backstage showbiz fairy tale when a stage struck understudy becomes an overnight star. Filled with a hit parade of songs like “Lullaby of Broadway,” “We’re in the Money,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” and of course, “42nd Street,” it will leave you tapping your toes, with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. This Tony Award winner for Best Musical is a song and dance extravaganza.
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 History
Other Productions of 42nd Street
| 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 |
| 2017 | West End |
West End Revival West End |
| 2020 | Chicago |
Lyric Opera of Chicago Production Chicago |
42nd Street - 1980 Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Lee Roy Reams |
| 1981 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Gower Champion |
| 1981 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Theoni V. Aldredge |
| 1981 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Lee Roy Reams |
| 1981 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | |
| 1981 | Theatre World Awards | Performance | Wanda Richert |
| 1981 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Michael Stewart |
| 1981 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Mark Bramble |
| 1981 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Gower Champion |
| 1981 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design | Theoni V. Aldredge |
| 1981 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Gower Champion |
| 1981 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design | Tharon Musser |
| 1981 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | David Merrick |
| 1981 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Wanda Richert |
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.