Clara Cox and Matthew Taylor to Tap Dance Across the U.S. in 42ND STREET; Tour Dates Announced!

The quintessential backstage musical comedy 42nd STREET kicks off a 16-week national tour this December, tap dancing its way through more than 50 cities across the United States.

42nd STREET is the song and dance extravaganza that is essentially Broadway's "reality show" filled with backstage drama centered around the American dream of becoming a star. Musically, it includes some of the most notable standards ever written, including "We're In The Money," "Lullaby of Broadway," "Shuffle Off To Buffalo," "Dames," "I Only Have Eyes For You" and of course "42nd Street."

Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and Busby Berkeley's 1933 movie, 42nd STREET tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a starry-eyed young dancer who leaves her quiet Allentown home for New York City to audition for the new Broadway musical, Pretty Lady. Getting her first big break, she joins the chorus and when the legendary leading lady breaks her ankle, newcomer Peggy is given a one in a million chance and, against all odds, becomes a star.

The 2016-2017 42nd STREET National Tour will star Clara Cox as the fresh-faced Peggy Sawyer, with Matthew Taylor playing the role of exacting director Julian Marsh and Kara Gibson Slocum as the long-time leading lady, Dorothy Brock. The tour also features Gerrianne Genga as Maggie Jones, Steven Bidwell as Bert Barry, Connor Coughlin as Billy Lawler and Todd Fenstermaker as Pat Denning. David Scott Curtis will portray Abner Dillon, with Chris Carsten taking over the role mid-January.

Rounding out the cast are Allison Blanchard, Brittany Cattaruzza, Katy Corbus, Beatrice Crosbie, Kahlia Davis, Mallory Davis, Tricia Desario, Tim Fuchs, Dejah Gibbs, Kiley Hinkle, Devin Holloway, Isaac Jankowski, Alex Johnson, Tommy Joscelyn, Elise Kowalick, Yui Matsuzaki, Megan McLaughlin, Georgina Moore, Carlos Morales, Mallory Nolting, Rob Ouellette, Joshua Schwartz, Christina Slaton and Andrew Winans.

With a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, this sparkling new production utilizes direction by Mark Bramble and choreography by Randy Skinner, the team who staged the 2001 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival. The direction will be restaged for the tour by Adam Kidd and the TONY-nominated choreography will be reset by Stephanie Brooks.

The original production of 42nd STREET was produced in 1980 on Broadway by David Merrick and featured direction and dances by Gower Champion. It played on Broadway for 3,486 performances, winning 1981 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Choreography. The Broadway revival, which opened in 2001, played for 1,524 performances and earned two Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical.

The sets for the 2016-2017 tour are designed by Kacie Hultgren in combination with original set designer Beowulf Boritt. Costume design is by Roger Kirk and lighting design is by Tony Award Winner, Ken Billington. Music supervision and new orchestrations are by Andrew Graham, and casting is by Alison Franck, CSA.

42nd STREET is produced by Big League Productions, Inc. Led by President and Executive Producer Daniel Sher, Big League is celebrating its 29th season of producing, general managing and booking Broadway musicals and special attractions for touring throughout North America and the world. For more information visit www.bigleague.org.

For more about the show, visit www.42ndstmusical.com.