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BWW Flashback: ROCKY Pulls Its Final Punches on Broadway Today
By: BWW Special Coverage Aug. 17, 2014
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Broadway's new ROCKY musical plays its final performance at the Winter Garden Theatre today, August 17th, after 28 previews and 188 regular performances. ROCKY received its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany, where it continues to play to packed houses. The musical opened on Broadway on March, 13, 2014. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you back to the show's beginnings on the Great White Way!
The show features an original score by the Tony Award-winning team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Once on This Island), with a book by multiple Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan (The Producers, Hairspray, Annie) and Sylvester Stallone, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the 1976 Oscar-winning Best Picture, Rocky. The production is directed by Tony nominee Alex Timbers (Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson), and features choreography by Tony nominees Steven Hoggett (Once) and Kelly Devine (Rock of Ages).
The Rocky cast features Tony nominee Andy Karl (Rocky), Margo Seibert (Adrian), Terence Archie (Apollo Creed), Dakin Matthews (Mickey) Danny Mastrogiorgio (Paulie), Jennifer Mudge (Gloria) and ensemble members Adrian Aguilar, Eric Anderson, Michelle Aravena, James Brown III, Sam J. Cahn, Vincent Corazza, Kevin Del Aguila, Ned Eisenberg, Bradley Gibson, Stacey Todd Holt, Sasha Hutchings, David Andrew Macdonald, Vasthy Mompoint, Vince Oddo, Okieriete Onaodowan, Adam Perry, Kristin Piro, Luis Salgado, John Schiappa, Samantha Shafer, Wallace Smith, Jenny Lee Stern, Dan'yelle Williamson and Mark Zimmerman.
ROCKY showcases set design by Tony Award-winner Chris Barreca (Marie Christine), costume design by Tony nomineeDavid Zinn (Picnic, Other Desert Cities), lighting design by Tony Award-winner Christopher Akerlind (Light in the Piazza), sound design by Tony nominee Peter Hylenski (Motown, Rock of Ages), video design by Dan Scully andPablo N. Molina, orchestrations by Stephen Trask (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and Tony award-winner Doug Besterman (The Producers) with music supervision by David Holcenberg (Matilda).
ROCKY brings to life the iconic and inspiring story of struggling small time Philly boxer, Rocky Balboa, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to go the distance against heavyweight champ Apollo Creed. Both an adrenaline- infused spectacle and a surprising story of blossoming romance between two lonely outsiders, Rocky is a heart-stopping and viscerally theatrical new musical for everyone brave enough to follow their dream.
Photo by Matthew Murphy
The new Broadway musical ROCKY began previews on Thursday, February 13th, with a special appearance by the one and only Sylvester Stallone. The ROCKY film actor stepped back into the ring to celebrate the show's launch, and BroadwayWorld was there to capture it all. Check out photos (by Walter McBride) and footage below!
Just before the musical opened on March 13, 2014, BroadwayWorld got a first look at photos (by Matthew Murphy) and video highlights from the show.
ROCKY hit Broadway on March 13, 2014, officially opening with stars Andy Karl and Margo Seibert at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre. We were there to catch the first curtain call and all the opening night festivities. Scroll down for photos (by Walter McBride), interviews and more!
The ROCKY Original Cast Recording was released in May, ahead of the 2014 Tony Awards, for which star Andy Karl was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. ROCKY also received Tony nominations for Best Choreography (Steven Hoggett and Kelly Devine), and Best Lighting Design (Christopher Akerlind). Christopher Barreca took home the 2014 Tony for Best Scenic Design of a Musical. Watch our exclusive Tonys interview with Karl below!
The ROCKY company celebrated 100 performances of the show in June, and the musical is looking into future productions across the U.S. and around the world. Fight on!
Photo by Walter McBride
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