Photo Coverage: 'Curtains' Celebrates 1st Year on Broadway

On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, the cast and creative team of the Kander & Ebb murder-mystery musical, Curtains, celebrated their first anniversary on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

To mark the occasion, stars David Hyde Pierce, Debra Monk, Karen Ziemba, Erin Davie, Megan Sikora, Noah Racey and Edward Hibbert; plus book-writer and lyricist Rupert Holmes, plus choreographer Rob Ashford and producer Roger Berlind, addressed the cast and company and enjoyed two specialty cakes.

Curtains unfolds backstage at Boston's Colonial Theatre in 1959, where a new musical could be a Broadway smash, were it not for its talent-free leading lady.  When the star dies on opening night, Lt. Frank Cioffi (David Hyde Pierce) arrives to conduct an investigation.  But the lure of the theatre proves irresistible and after an unexpected romance blooms for the stage-struck detective, he finds himself just as drawn toward making the show a hit, as he is in solving the murder. 

Curtains is an original musical comedy with a book by Rupert Holmes (multiple Tony Award-winner for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Say Goodnight Gracie), music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb (the Tony Award-winning songwriters of Cabaret, Chicago, New York New York), original book and concept by Tony Award-winner Peter Stone (1776, Titanic, The Will Rogers Follies), and additional lyrics by John Kander & Rupert Holmes.   Curtains is directed by five-time Tony Award-nominee Scott Ellis (She Loves Me, 1776, 12 Angry Men, Steel Pier).  Choreography is by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie).

Producers are Roger Berlind, Roger Horchow, Daryl Roth, Jane Bergère, TEd Hartley and Center Theatre Group.  Curtains had its world premiere on August 9, 2006 at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.

Performance schedule for Curtains is Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, and Sunday at 3:00 PM.  Tickets are on sale at Telecharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com or inoss the country to donate gently worn coats to Burlington Coat Factory's 379 stores.

For more information on Burlington Coat Factory, One Warm Coat, and the Good Morning America Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive visit the GMA web site at www.abcnews.com. Visit the Curtains website at: www.CurtainsTheMusical.com

Photos by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

Rupert Holmes (Book & Lyrics)

Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes

Rob Ashford (Choreographer)

Rob Ashford

Rob Ashford

Karen Ziemba, Edward Hibbert, David Hyde Pierce, Megan Sikora, Debra Monk and the cast of Curtains

Karen Ziemba, Edward Hibbert, David Hyde Pierce, Megan Sikora, Debra Monk and the cast of Curtains

Karen Ziemba, Edward Hibbert, David Hyde Pierce, Megan Sikora, Debra Monk and the cast of Curtains

The company of Curtains

The company of Curtains

David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk

David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk

David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk

Michael McCormick, Michael X. Martin and Gerry Vichi

Michael McCormick, Michael X. Martin and Gerry Vichi

Rupert Holmes and Roger Berlind (Producer)

Erin Davie, Noah Racey and Karen Ziemba

Erin Davie, Noah Racey and Karen Ziemba

Erin Davie, Noah Racey and Karen Ziemba

Roger Berlind addresses the cast of Curtains

Roger Berlind and the cast of Curtains

Roger Berlind and the cast of Curtains

Roger Berlind and the cast of Curtains

David Hyde Pierce, Megan Sikora, Erin Davie, Noah Racey, Karen Ziemba, Debra Monk and Edward Hibbert