Starlight Express 1987 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: March 15, 1987
Closing: January 08, 1989

Starlight Express - 1987 - Broadway History , Info & More

Gershwin Theatre (Broadway)
222 West 51st St. New York, NY

The storyline: It is evening and a mother reminds her small child to put his toy-trains away and to go to bed. In the child's dream, the locomotives come alive: It is the night of the world championships for locomotives.



The young steam locomotive Rusty, charming but definitely no longer technically up to date, appears to stand no chance against its more modern challengers, such as the macho Greaseball. This self-confident diesel locomotive rocks like Elvis and conquers the hearts of its many female fans. When Electra, an ultra-modern e-locomotive, suddenly makes its appearance, the situation seems hopeless for the young steam locomotive. Beautiful Pearl, a 1st-class coach, leaves Rusty for Electra.



Three, two, one- go! The flags come down, the lights flash and the helmets sparkle. Locomotives and their coaches are hurtling along the tracks at lightning speed. The conflict between the trains comes to a climax, since the methods used to win this international race are not always fair. Suddenly it appears, the legendary "Starlight Express", like a fiery comet's tail in the sky. The night is full of glittering stars as Rusty finds out what is most important in life: believing in yourself. He finds new courage to enter the finale - and Pearl begins to understand who her true love belongs to...

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Broadway Sings BLOOD ROCK - THE MUSICAL Out Worldwide
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2020


'Broadway Sings Blood Rock: The Musical,' a new EP comprised of six songs from the acclaimed 2018 stage play 'Blood Rock: The Musical' created by Michael Berns, has received a worldwide release on all streaming music platforms, including iTunes and Apple Music.

Damon Daunno, Robert Torti, Andy Mientus & Jennifer DiNola Featured on BROADWAY SINGS BLOOD ROCK: THE MUSICAL EP
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 29, 2020


The new EP features the singing of four top Broadway stars: 2019 Tony Award nominee Damon Daunno (Curly in Broadway's 'Oklahoma!'); 1987 Tony Award nominee Robert Torti (Greaseball from 'Starlight Express'); Andy Mientus (Broadway's 'Les Misérables,' and in the role of the Pied Piper on the CW TV series 'The Flash'); and Jennifer DiNola (Elphaba in Broadway's 'Wicked').

BWW Book Club: Read an Excerpt From Michael Riedel's RAZZLE DAZZLE - Chapters 25, 26 & Epilogue
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2020


BroadwayWorld Book Club is officially off and running! Or should we say, reading! The first BroadwayWorld Book Club selection is Jennifer Ashley Tepper's The Untold Stories of Broadway Volume 1. Tepper has just released the first volume of the book for free on Kindle!

VIDEO: EVERYBODY DANCE NOW! A Look Back at AC/DC From STARLIGHT EXPRESS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2020


In this time of social distancing and remaining responsibly indoors, we are all looking for ways to brighten our days and get moving any way we can! In the spirit of celebrating theater and providing motivation to get up and get shakin', we're taking a look back and paying tribute to some of the greatest dance numbers in musical theater history!

The 'Broadwaysted' Podcast Welcomes Broadway, West End Legend Frances Ruffelle
by Broadwaysted - Oct 15, 2019


This week, the Broadwaysted crew is absolutely thrilled to be sitting down with the incredible star of Broadway and the West End, Frances Ruffelle! We're pouring out Milagro Tequila (and super embarrassed that we somehow misplaced our corkscrew) as Frances spills about the experience of creating the iconic role of Eponine (and winning the Tony Award!!!), starring in the original West End production of Starlight Express, and her amazing performance piece 'Frances Ruffelle Lives in New York' celebrating its final New York performance at The Green Room 42 on Sunday, October 20th!

Photo Coverage: Lisa Howard, Kenita Miller, and More Perform at Broadway By The Year: Broadway Musicals Of 1987 and 2015
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Jun 18, 2019


The Town Hall presented Broadway By The Year: Broadway Musicals of 1987 and 2015 on Monday, June 17 at 8pm. Created, written, hosted and directed by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall, the evening concluded Broadway By The Year's 19th season at The Town Hall.

Kenita Miller, Lisa Howard, and More Will Take Part in Broadway By The Year: Broadway Musicals Of 1987 and 2015
by Stephi Wild - Jun 4, 2019


The Town Hall presents Broadway By The Year©: Broadway Musicals of 1987 and 2015 on Monday, June 17 at 8pm. Created, written, hosted and directed by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall, the evening will conclude Broadway By The Year©'s 19th season at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street).

UN DÍA COMO HOY…: ¡Felicidades, STEPHEN SONDHEIM y ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER!
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Mar 22, 2018


Hoy comparten cumpleaños los grandisimos compositores Stephen Sondheim y Andrew Lloyd Webber, sin los cuales el Teatro Musical no habria sido el mismo, y hacemos un repaso por sus carreras y, sobre todo, por las producciones que se han hecho en España de sus obras.

Further Casting Announced for Trevor Nunn's Production of LETTICE AND LOVAGE at Menier Chocolate Factory
by BWW News Desk - Apr 6, 2017


With Love in Idleness currently running at its home base and soon to follow its production of Travesties at the Apollo Theatre, and with David Baddiel: My Family Not the Sitcom running in the West End, and Funny Girl on a major national tour, the Menier Chocolate Factory announces a casting update for its production of Peter Shaffer's Lettice and Lovage.

David Byrne's JOAN OF ARC: INTO THE FIRE Extends Again at The Public Theater
by BWW News Desk - Feb 21, 2017


The Public Theater announced today a two-week extension for the world premiere musical Joan of Arc: Into the Fire.

Felicity Kendal and Maureen Lipman to Star in LETTICE AND LOVAGE at Menier Chocolate Factory
by BWW News Desk - Feb 17, 2017


With She Loves Me currently running at its home base, Travesties and David Baddiel: My Family Not the Sitcom landing in the West End, and Funny Girl starting a major national tour, the Menier Chocolate Factory announces today that Trevor Nunn will direct Felicity Kendal and Maureen Lipman in Peter Shaffer's Lettice and Lovage.

David Byrne's JOAN OF ARC: INTO THE FIRE Begins Tonight at The Public Theater
by BWW News Desk - Feb 14, 2017


The Public Theater presents JOAN OF ARC: INTO THE FIRE, with book, music, and lyrics by David Byrne.

Mare Winningham Joins David Byrne's JOAN OF ARC: INTO THE FIRE at The Public Theater
by BWW News Desk - Feb 6, 2017


The Public Theater announced today that Emmy Award winner Mare Winningham and Dimitri Joseph Moise join the previously announced cast of the world premiere musical Joan of Arc: Into the Fire.

Trevor Nunn Returns To The Menier Chocolate Factory To Direct LOVE IN IDLENESS and LETTICE AND LOVAGE
by BWW News Desk - Jan 25, 2017


With She Loves Me currently running at its home base, Travesties and David Baddiel: My Family Not the Sitcom to open shortly in the West End, and Funny Girl in rehearsals ahead of a major national tour, the Menier Chocolate Factory announces today that Trevor Nunn returns to direct major works from the two of the greatest British playwrights of the twentieth century.

Jo Lampert to Star in David Byrne's JOAN OF ARC: INTO THE FIRE at The Public; Cast Set!
by BWW News Desk - Jan 9, 2017


The Public Theater has announced casting for JOAN OF ARC: INTO THE FIRE, with book, music, and lyrics by David Byrne.

GYPSY to Open MTC MainStage's 30th Anniversary Season
by BWW News Desk - Sep 9, 2016


Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's professional award-winning theatre company, will open its 30th Anniversary Season with a revamped production of "Gypsy." The season-opener will run September 9-25.

GYPSY to Open MTC MainStage's 30th Anniversary Season
by BWW News Desk - Aug 24, 2016


Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's professional award-winning theatre company, will open its 30th Anniversary Season with a revamped production of "Gypsy." The season-opener will run September 9-25.

Kyle Selig, Ron Bohmer, Kerry O'Malley and More to Look to the Stars in OCTOBER SKY at The Old Globe; Cast, Creatives Set!
by BWW News Desk - Jul 29, 2016


The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team of the West Coast premiere of OCTOBER SKY, which will blast off the Globe's 2016-2017 Season with a tale of boys, rockets, and big dreams.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 3/15/16- STARLIGHT EXPRESS
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 15, 2016


Today in 1987, Starlight Express opened at the Gershwin Theatre, where it ran for 761 performances. Starlight Express is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), Richard Stilgoe (lyrics) and Arlene Phillips (choreography), with later revisions by Don Black (lyrics) and David Yazbek (music and lyrics for the 2nd US tour). The story follows a child's dream in which his toy train set comes to life; famously the actors perform wearing roller skates.

Terri White Launches Barbara Cook's Spotlight Series in D.C. Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Oct 16, 2015


Barbara Cook's Spotlight series, in its ninth season at the Kennedy Center this year, features Terri White tonight, October 16, 2015; Randy Graff on October 30, 2015; Michele Lee on November 6, 2015; John Lloyd Young on November 20, 2015; and Frances Ruffelle on March 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Terrace Theater.

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for September 9th, 2015
by Paul W. Thompson - Sep 9, 2015


The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'American Idiot' examines a generation, and 'The Girl In The Train' captures a by-gone era. We run down long-run shows, and break down the Marriott Theatre's 2016 season announcement, too. Plus 'Hollywood' from Light Opera Works, a new show from Underscore, a high school mounts 'Starlight Express,' and Christmas has begun!

Michele Lee, John Lloyd Young and More Slated for Barbara Cook's Spotlight Series in D.C.
by BWW News Desk - Sep 8, 2015


BroadwayWorld has just learned the lineup for Barbara Cook's Spotlight series, ready for its ninth season at the Kennedy Center this year. 

Top Stories You Missed on BWW This Weekend - 3/14-3/15/2015
by - Mar 15, 2015


Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, March 15, 2015 - Sunday, March 15, 2015.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 3/15/15- STARLIGHT EXPRESS
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 15, 2015


Today in 1987, Starlight Express opened at the Gershwin Theatre, where it ran for 761 performances. Starlight Express is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), Richard Stilgoe (lyrics) and Arlene Phillips (choreography), with later revisions by Don Black (lyrics) and David Yazbek (music and lyrics for the 2nd US tour). The story follows a child's dream in which his toy train set comes to life; famously the actors perform wearing roller skates.

Broadway Manager, Producer and BC/EFA Activist Peter Neufeld Passes Away at 78
by BWW News Desk - Jan 27, 2015


A successful Broadway company manager, general manager and producer for more than 20 years, Peter Neufeld passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's disease this morning, January 27, 2015, at The Actors Fund's Lillian Booth Residence in Englewood, NJ, where he had been living since 2007. He was 78.

Starlight Express FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Starlight Express have there been?
Starlight Express has had 3 productions including West End which opened in 1984, Broadway which opened in 1987 and Broadway which opened in 1987.
What Tony Awards has Starlight Express been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Choreography for Arlene Phillips , Best Costume Design for John Napier, Best Direction of a Musical for Trevor Nunn , Best Lighting Design for David HerseyBest Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Richard Stilgoe.
What Tony Awards has Starlight Express won?
Best Choreography for Arlene Phillips , Best Costume Design for John Napier, Best Direction of a Musical for Trevor Nunn , Best Lighting Design for David Hersey, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Andrew Lloyd Webber, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Richard Stilgoe, .
What awards has Starlight Express been nominated for?
Starlight Express has been nominated for the Costume Design award at The Hewes Awards for John Napier.
What awards has Starlight Express won?
Starlight Express has won the Costume Design award at The Hewes Awards for John Napier.

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