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Wonderful Town

Wonderful Town - 1953 Broadway History , Info & More

Winter Garden Theatre (Broadway)
1634 Broadway New York, NY 10019

Based upon the play My Sister Eileen by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov and the stories by Ruth McKenney

Connie Fisher, star of The Sound of Music and winner of the BBC's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, returns to Birmingham Hippodrome in the multi award-winning musical comedy, Wonderful Town.

Featuring a superb score by legendary American composer Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story), the show has received countless awards since its premiere in 1953 including the prestigious Tony Award for Best Musical.


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WONDERFUL BERNSTEIN is Now Playing at Den Norske Opera
by Stephi Wild - Apr 16, 2026


Journey to New York during a swinging concert with music by the master of musicals: Leonard Bernstein with Wonderful Bernstein, a concert coming to Den Norske Opera.

Glasgow Film Festival 2026 Announces Full Programme
by Natalie O'Donoghue - Jan 21, 2026


The festival runs from 25 February to 8 March in Glasgow.

Meghan Trainor, Kelly Clarkson & More Featured in the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs Chart
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 11, 2025


The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has shared the top holiday songs that listeners are flocking to this season, including tracks from Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, Kelly Clarkson, and more.

THE MOUSETRAP and More Set for Peninsula Players Theatre 91st Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 25, 2025


Peninsula Players Theatre has unveiled its 2026 season, offering a blend of comedy, mystery, romance, and timeless music. The season will feature The Mousetrap and much more.

Which Pre-Broadway Tryout Theater Boasts the Most Best Musical Tony Award Winners?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 30, 2025


While different tryout theaters have different relationships to the development of new shows, it’s worth looking at both which commercial rental theaters and which non-profit theaters have had the most Best Musical Tony Award winners come from their stages.

15 Broadway Musicals with Multiple Movie Adaptations
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 19, 2025


For years, Broadway musicals have spawned multiple film adaptations, from the early days of cinema to Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story. Take a look at our list of 15 musicals that have danced their way to the screen more than once!

Interview: Bailey Frankenberg of PETER PAN at The Fox Theatre
by Joseph Harrison - Apr 24, 2025


​​​​​​​In today’s culture, it is hard to find anyone who doesn’t have some experience with the story of Peter Pan. For many, their first exposure to the “boy who refused to grow up” was through Walt Disney’s classic 1953 animated film. Others first journeyed off to Neverland with Peter and Wendy by reading the original 1904 play by J.M. Barrie. And in between (and beyond) have come many different iterations of this timeless adventure. But for musical theatre fans, there is just one PETER PAN – the classic 1954 stage musical which starred Mary Martin and was captured for posterity through a 1955 NBC broadcast. So how does one take a story with its beautiful score but also some troublesome stereotypes and bring it to an audience in 2025? That is just what Larissa FastHorse and the team bringing PETER PAN to life on the stage at the fabulous Fox Theatre have done – taken a classic and updated it for a new generation. And in the role of Tiger Lily, Bailey Frankenberg has a front row seat to what makes this story so magical. I had the chance to catch up with Bailey and hear all about her career and what it is like to play an iconic (but updated) heroine as well as serve as Fight and Flight captain for the show.

Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, & More Light Up the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs Chart
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 10, 2024


Celebrating the songwriters behind the latest trending tinsel tunes and cherished seasonal standards alike, ASCAP has the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs and the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs for 2024. 

Megan Hilty, Jennifer Hudson, & More Join NBC's CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 18, 2024


In a tradition spanning over nine decades, NBC will celebrate the holiday season with the annual lighting of one of the world’s most famous trees in the heart of New York City. Audiences will be treated to festive performances from an all-star lineup of musical guests.

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Announces 2024 Events
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 26, 2024


Experience world-class performances by the next generation of artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Check out the fall 2024 schedule of major events and secure your tickets now.

Francis Wilson Playhouse to Kick Off 95th Season With WONDERFUL TOWN in September
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 18, 2024


Francis Wilson Playhouse will kick off their 95th Season with Wonderful Town, a 1953 musical comedy based on My Sister Eileen.

From Encores! to Broadway
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 18, 2024


This time, the reader question was: How often do City Center Encores! shows transfer to Broadway?

Review: THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL at Holden Street Theatres
by Barry Lenny - May 24, 2024


This is another big winner for Red Phoenix.

Bryan Cranston Reflects on Working With Bill Hayes on DAYS OF OUR LIVES
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2024


Bryan Cranston recently reflected on his work with the late Bill Hayes in a comment on the actor's obituary on Deadline. Cranston worked with Hayes on Days Of Our Lives, what he describes as one of his first professional acting jobs.

Jill Paice, John Hillner & More to Star in Industry Readings of BRILLIANCE, Based on the life of Frances Farmer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 4, 2024


Musical Brilliance, LLC, will present private industry readings (by invitation only) of Brilliance, a musical based on the life of Frances Farmer, with book by Lance Lewman, music and lyrics by Lance Lewman & Kristan King, and additional music by Gabriel Kane.

ASCAP Unwraps Top 10 New Classic Holiday Songs Chart Featuring Kelly Clarkson, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Meghan Trainor, Jimmy Fallon & More
by Michael Major - Dec 18, 2023


ASCAP Unwraps Top 10 New Classic Holiday Songs Chart featuring Kelly Clarkson, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Meghan Trainor, Jimmy Fallon, and more. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers, both the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs.

How Often Are Broadway Plays Adapted Into Musicals?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Oct 8, 2023


This time, the reader question was: With Purlie Victorious returning to Broadway, what are other plays that were revived on Broadway after their musical adaptations premiered?

Elizabeth Teeter, Steve Ross & Cameron Loyal Join 54 SINGS WONDERFUL TOWN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 9, 2023


Beetlejuice’s Elizabeth Teeter, Bad Cinderella’s Cameron Loyal, and cabaret veteran Steve Ross and have been added to 54 Sings Wonderful Town: 70th Anniversary Concert at 54 Below on Wednesday, June 21st at 9:30pm.

Saint Aubyn, Stanley Wayne Mathis & More to Lead PERSONALITY: THE LLOYD PRICE MUSICAL Chicago Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2023


Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical has announced the cast for the show’s Chicago premiere. See who is starring, and how to purchase tickets!

SINATRA THE MUSICAL Will Premiere This Year At Birmingham Rep Theatre, Directed by Kathleen Marshall
by Stephi Wild - Mar 9, 2023


Sinatra The Musical, a brand new musical based on the life and career of the legendary artist and cultural icon Frank Sinatra, will make its world premiere this year at Birmingham Rep! Learn more about the show and how to purchase tickets here!

Opera North Brings Shostakovich and Prokofiev to Kirklees Year of Music 2023
by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2023


Opera North’s Principal Guest Conductor Antony Hermus promises an “amazing” programme of Shostakovich and Prokofiev for the first orchestral concert in the Kirklees Year of Music 2023, in Huddersfield Town Hall on Thursday 26 January.

Feature: 2022 Arkansas Year in Review
by Theresa Bertram - Dec 27, 2022


BWW's Theresa Bertram gives out awards for 2022 and talks about what's next.

14 Gay Street, the Inspiration for WONDERFUL TOWN, to be Demolished
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 22, 2022


14 Gay Street in Greenwich Village is being demolished. The house was once the home of Ruth McKenney, who wrote My Sister Eileen,” a 1938 collection of stories that provided the inspiration for the 1953 musical Wonderful Town.

Bloomingdale School of Music 2022/23 Faculty Concert Series to Present SOUNDS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 16, 2022


Bloomingdale School of Music has announced its 2022/23 Faculty Concert Series at the David Greer Concert Hall, 323 West 108th Street, NYC. The upcoming season will feature rarely heard classical and jazz music for various instruments and voices performed by Bloomingdale's outstanding faculty and guest artists. Concerts will be presented in Bloomingdale's state-of-the-art concert hall and will spotlight music from around the world including Italy, Puerto Rico, Hungary, Russia, and our very own New York City.

Bloomingdale School Of Music Presents Faculty Concert Series SOUNDS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD: AN EVENING OF SONGS OLD AND NEW
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2022


Bloomingdale School of Music announces its 2022/23 Faculty Concert Series at the David Greer Concert Hall, 323 West 108th Street, NYC.

Wonderful Town History

Other Productions of Wonderful Town

1953   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1954   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1955   West End London Production
West End
1961   Regional (US) Los Angeles Revival
Regional (US)
1963   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1986   West End London Revival
West End
1994   Off-Broadway New York City Opera Production
Off-Broadway
2000   Off-Broadway Encores! Concert
Off-Broadway
2003   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2025   Off-Broadway New York City Center Encores! Production
Off-Broadway

Wonderful Town - 1953 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
Wonderful Town — awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1953 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Leonard Bernstein
1953 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Betty Comden
1953 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Adolph Green
1953 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Joseph A. Fields
1953 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Jerome Chodorov)
1953 Theatre World Awards Performance Edie Adams
1953 Tony Awards Best Choreography Donald Saddler
1953 Tony Awards Best Conductor and Musical Director Lehman Engel
1953 Tony Awards Best Musical Leonard Bernstein
1953 Tony Awards Best Musical Joseph Fields
1953 Tony Awards Best Musical Jerome Chodorov
1953 Tony Awards Best Musical Betty Comden
1953 Tony Awards Best Musical Adolph Green
1953 Tony Awards Best Musical Robert Fryer
1953 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Rosalind Russell
1953 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design Raoul Pene Du Bois

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