Musicals Tonight!, the brainchild of founder Mel Miller, will take its final bow with their 100th revival and New York Premiere of Calamity Jane. The musical western plays a limited engagement March 13th through March 25th at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42 Street). Tickets are $45 and can be purchased through www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200 and at the Lion Theatre Box Office.
Mel Miller, founded Musicals Tonight! in 1998 with the mission to keep early musicals alive and affordable. Calamity Jane marks its 100th production. Musicals Tonight! prides itself on the ability to bring back virtually- forgotten musicals for new audiences to discover and old audiences to rediscover. Musicals Tonight! has been unique in New York for its very elaborate and skilled fully staged readings of early musicals in their original forms. These range from the Gershwins' Lady, Be Good!, to Rodgers and Hart's Chee-Chee, to Cole Porter's Gay Divorce.
"It has been a wonderful 20 years with 100 shows and a million happy memories, said Mr. Miller. "I had the pleasure of working with the late George S. Irving and the honor to be permitted to revive shows by Cole Porter, George & Ira Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Jerome Kern, and Irving Berlin. We revived deliriously silly shows that were brought back to life one last time - Chee-Chee; Theodore & Co; That's the Ticket; Shinbone Alley; and Whoopee. The shows that still bring a tear to my eye are King of Hearts; Cabin in the Sky; Irma La Douce; Three Wishes for Jamie; and Carnival. I will always be grateful to the actors - over 1500 of them - who were and are so devoted to their craft. I also want to thank our audiences of over 100,000 who shared your joy and generosity with one another and with Musicals Tonight! It's been a great ride."
Calamity Jane is based on the historical figure of the actual frontierswoman. The non-historical, and farcical plot involves the authentic Calamity Jane's professional associate Wild Bill Hickok and their stormy relationship that ultimately proves to be a facade for mutually amorous feelings. Songs will include: the Oscar winning "The Secret Love," and "The Deadwood Stage," "Careless with the Truth," "A Woman's Touch" and "It's Harry I'm Planning To Marry."
Calamity Jane was first produced in 1961 and is based on the 1953 movie of the same name which starred Doris Day. The musical is adapted by Ronald Hanmer and Phil Park from the stage play by Charles K. Freeman. Musicals Tonight!'s production features songs from the movie - by Paul Francis Webster (lyrics) and Sammy Fain (music).
Calamity Jane is directed by Devin Vogel with musical direction by Nevada Lozano.
Featured in the cast are Sam Beasley, Jordan Bell, Christian Brown, Rosalie Burke, Caitlin Evans, Peter Gosik, Brandon Grimes, Abby Hart, Alexis Kinney, Brian Klimowski, Emily Larger, Bart Mather, Alison McCartan, Jimmy Nicholas, Dallas Padoven and Kristin Wetherington.
The playing schedule for Calamity Jane is as follows: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with matinees on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2PM (March 13th through March 25th).
Videos