'Busker Alley' with Jim Dale is Broadway-Bound 2008-09

Busker Alley is Broadway bound!  The musical starring Tony winner, Jim Dale, (Carry On films, Barnum, 'Harry Potter' audio books, "Pushing Daisies") and directed & designed by the legendary Tony, Academy and Emmy Award winner, Tony Walton, is planning to arrive for the 2008-2009 Broadway season.  The announcement was made by the producers: Margot Astrachan, Robert Blume, Kristine Lewis, Jamie Fox, Joanna Kerry & Heather Duke, at an event held on November 30th, 2007 on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 which also served to launch the CD release of the JAY Records cast album of the one night York Theater benefit performance of Busker Alley featuring Jim Dale.

Further casting and details to be announced later.

Busker Alley has a score by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman (Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, two Academy Awards, 23 gold and platinum records, a star on the Hollywood Hall of Fame, and more movie scores than any other songwriting team in history, not to mention that little ditty, "It's A Small World After All.") the book is by noted film, television and theater writer, AJ Carothers (The Happiest Millionaire, The Secret of My Success). A 50 year collaborator with Tony Walton, the acclaimed Richard Pilbrow, will serve as lighting designer. Manny Kladitis and Niko Companies will provide General Management, while Production Attorney will be Jerold Couture of Fitelson/Lasky/Aslan & Couture.

"Busker Alley captures the life and spirit of street performers (buskers) who earn their living in the shadow of London's West End glamour just before and during World War II.  A devil-may-care busker, Charlie, no longer "as young as he was," takes a gutsy, young sneak thief under his wing.  He discovers her gift for music and performing and, with his tutelage, her talent blossoms along with his growing infatuation for her.  Although Libby becomes part of the busker family, she wants more out of life. Her natural charm and drive feeds her need for "being on the inside." When she attracts the attention of a major West End producer, she leaves Charlie to follow her dream. She soon becomes a major stage, and after she unsuccessfully tries to introduce Charlie to her new world, Charlie comes to the realization that he and Libby belongs in different worlds," explain press notes.

The show is based on the 1938 British motion picture, St. Martin's Lane, starring Charles Laughton and Vivien Leigh, which itself was based on the 1928 Marlene Dietrich/Emil Jannings film The Blue Angel. They were both inspired by the early 20th Century novel, Small Town Tyrant by Heinrich Mann.

Photo of Jim Dale by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd