York Theatre Company's CAGNEY, Starring Robert Creighton, Opens Tonight

The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, concludes its 45th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of the new musical, Cagney, with book by Peter Colley and music & lyrics by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern.

Directed by Bill Castellino with choreography by Joshua Bergasse and music direction by Matt Perri, this exciting new musical stars Broadway's Robert Creighton as the legendary James Cagney with Jeremy Benton, Danette Holden, Bruce Sabath, Josh Walden, and Ellen Zolezzi.

Performances began May 19 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 21, 2015 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening night is tonight, May 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

The York Theatre Company presents the New York premiere of the awarding-winning Cagney, a high-stepping, explosive new musical about legendary star and the screen's greatest tough-guy, James Cagney. Cagney follows the actor from his humble beginnings in New York City's Lower East Side through his rise as a vaudeville song-and-dance man to his superstardom in Hollywood. In this insightful and surprising musical journey, a brand new original score filled with show-stopping song and dance numbers is augmented by George M. Cohan songs. Cagney was the consummate performer who could do it all - sing, dance, play the bad guy, the good guy, the patriot, the gangster; Broadway's Robert Creighton leads a cast of six in this exciting new musical. Cagney will have audiences cheering.

The creative team includes James Morgan (sets), Amy Clark (costumes), Brian Nason (lighting), Janie Bullard (sound), Mark Pirolo (projections), and Carol Hanzel (casting). The Production Stage Manager is Larry Smiglewski with Assistant Stage Manager Arthur Atkinson.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City -- and one of very few in the world -- dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For over four decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused on new musicals in its Mainstage Series-most of them world, American, or New York premieres-by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 35 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, including its acclaimed revival of Closer Than Ever (2013 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival); commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir (Tony Award Nomination for actress Judy Kaye), and Jolson & Company, and revivals of Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd (four Tony Nominations including Best Revival) have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. For additional information, visit www.yorktheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg