On the Twentieth Century Closes on Broadway

On the Twentieth Century, our final musical revival of the 2014-2015 season, closed on Sunday, July 19 at the American Airlines Theatre. The critically acclaimed production played a total of 144 performances from its first preview on February 12. Starring Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher, On the Twentieth Century came in with a roar and was greeted with rave reviews from publications such as The New York Times, Variety, and Daily News. Audiences thoroughly enjoyed this "screwball comedy" that was "performed with manic energy by a super cast toplined by charismatic stars" (Variety).

The Company

The production featured many members of the Roundabout family. Leading actress Kristin Chenoweth performed in Roundabout's production of The Apple Tree in the 2006-2007 season, and was last seen on Broadway in Promises, Promises in 2011. Supporting actor Andy Karl performed in Roundabout's revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Drama Desk nomination). Mary Louise Wilson received a Tony nomination for her performance as Fraulein Schneider in the Roundabout revival of Cabaret and was also seen in The Women (2001). Many members of the ensemble are also frequent Roundabout performers, and we were thrilled to welcome leading actor Peter Gallagher to the Roundabout family. We also welcomed back David Rockwell (Set Design, Cabaret), William Ivey Long (Costume Design), and Warren Carlyle (Choreography). In the following video, David Rockwell discusses the set of On the Twentieth Century.

The cast of On the Twentieth Century was featured on the Today Show in April, where they performed a medley of "Life is Like A Train" and "Babette." The following month, Chenoweth andthe cast performed "Babette" at The Tony Awards while Chenoweth co-hosted the show with Roundabout's Cabaret "Emcee," Alan Cumming.

Kristin Chenoweth won a Drama Desk award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, and an Outer Critic's Circle award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical. Andy Karl also won an Outer Critic's Circle award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical.

The Porters (Phillip Attmore, Rick Faugno, Drew King, Richard Riaz Yoder) were also a highlight of the production, and they received the prestigious Astaire Award for Outstanding Dance Ensemble. Here they are tapping around New York City!

On May 19, the new Broadway cast recording of On the Twentieth Century was released, and is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.

Education at Roundabout was thrilled to have Andy Karl host the fifth annual Student Theatre Arts Festival, held at the American Airlines Theatre on May 18. The evening celebrated design work and performances of students from Roundabout's 14 partner schools, representing the five boroughs of New York City.

Pictured: Andy Karl. Photo from BroadwayWorld.

To learn more about On the Twentieth Century, visit the Roundabout Archive or watch clips on our YouTube channel. Interviews, historical information, and activities can be found in the On The Twentieth Century UPSTAGE Guide.