From the Artistic Director: On the 20th Century

Previews begin February 12th for the musical On the Twentieth Century, featuring music by Cy Coleman, with book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, directed by Roundabout's Associate Artistic Director, Scott Ellis, at the American Airlines Theatre.

On the Twentieth Century is, in my opinion, one of the best musical comedies that most people don't know too much about. It was a big hit when it opened in 1978, but for some reason hasn't entered the canon in the way that many of its contemporary shows have, and this new production will mark its first Broadway revival. The delay is mind-boggling when you think about the talent of the creators involved. Cy Coleman wrote some of the greatest tunes Broadway has ever heard for shows as diverse as Little Me,Sweet Charity, Barnum, and City of Angels. And the team of Comden & Green represents Broadway's longest and most successful collaboration, with the pair writing book and/or lyrics for On the Town, Bells Are Ringing, Wonderful Town, Peter Pan, and many more. These authors are true musical theatre royalty.

So why did it take so long for this particular show from such great artists to get its first revival? Scott Ellis has my favorite theory on the subject, and it comes down to the character of Lily Garland. As Scott has said, you don't decide to do Hamlet without knowing you have someone great to play Hamlet, and you don't decide to do On the Twentieth Century without knowing you have someone great to play Lily Garland. Lily is a hugely challenging role, requiring skillful singing in an operetta style, major comedic talent, and the ability to own the stage whenever you appear, like the massive star Lily is meant to be. When it comes down it, there aren't many people who can pull all this off. But if ever a performer and role were meant to be together, it's Kristin Chenoweth and Lily Garland. Kristin is so fantastically suited to the part that it almost feels as though the authors were writing it for her, even if they never knew it! I can't wait for audiences to see her take this on. Kristin had one of her earliest roles in New York with Roundabout's Scapin and returned to us with The Apple Treein 2006, but I think On the Twentieth Century will mark her most thrilling performance on our stage yet.

Kristin will be joined on stage by an incredible group of performers, particularly the great Peter Gallagher as Lily's love/nemesis Oscar Jaffee, Andy Karl as her paramour Bruce Granit, and Mary Louise Wilson as the mysterious Letitia Primrose. But perhaps their greatest co-star is the Twentieth Century itself, the massive train on which the show takes place. I have to say that designer David Rockwell has truly outdone himself with this one. It's one of the most stunning sets I've ever seen, and I can't wait for you to get a look at it in all its glory on stage at the American Airlines Theatre.

On the Twentieth Century is sure to be a fun ride, and I hope that you will share your experience of it by emailing me at artisticoffice@roundabouttheatre.org.

I look forward to seeing you at the theatre!

Todd Haimes
Artistic Director