Manhattan Madcaps of 1924 is the first offering of Symphony Space's new Summer Stock on Broadway, an annual series to be held in the Leonard Nimoy
Thalia at Symphony Space (Broadway at 95th Street). "This newly
discovered 'lost' Rodgers and Hart musical will run from July 6 - 23,
and has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and new
libretto by Jerzy Turnpike," according to press notes. Annette Jolles
directs; musical arrangement is by Lanny Meyers and the choreographer
is Regina Larkin. The show opens on Thursday, July 13.
Katie Allen, Ivy Austin (Raggedy Ann), Christine Bokhour (Chicagoon Broadway and on tour), Sydney J. Borgoyne, Michael Simon Hall, Howard Kay (Miss Saigon, Silence! at FringeNYC), Staci Rudnitsky and Nick Verina will star in the show. "Long
before Rodgers and Hammerstein explored the hills of Austria, the
kingdom of Siam and the South Pacific islands, the young Richard
Rodgers showcased his hometown of New York City. Considered lost by
theater historians, Symphony Space Artistic Director Isaiah Sheffer,
abetted by the nimble book-writer Jerzy Turnpike, has 'rediscovered'
this missing piece of musical history, which explores New York and
Sheffer-like themes of love, mayoral politics and the quest for a
decent apartment," state press notes on the fictional-historical revue. Among the songs included will be "City" (from Me for You, 1929); "Gotta Get Back to New York" (from Hallelujah I'm A Bum, 1933); "Where the Hudson River Flows" (from Dearest Enemy, 1925); "Way Out West (on West End Avenue)" (from Babes in Arms, 1937); "Any Old Place With You" (from Fly With Me, 1920); "At The Roxy Music Hall" (from I Married an Angel, 1938), and many others.
Manhattan Madcaps of 1924 will
run Wednesday – Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, and Saturdays at 2:00pm
and Sundays at 3:00pm, July 6 – 23. (Note: There is no performance on
Wednesday, July 12). Tickets are $19 and are available by visiting the
Symphony Space Box Office at Broadway and 95th Street or by calling
212-864-5400, Wednesday-Sunday, noon to 6 pm, or on-line at www.symphonyspace.org. For more information, call (212) 864-1414 or send an e-mail to info@symphonyspace.org.Photo by C. Elliott
Ivy Austin, Michael Simon Hall, Christine Bokhour,
Howard Kaye, Katie Allen, Nick Verina (front); Sydney J. Borgoyne, Staci
Rudnitsky (back)