York's Plain and Fancy, with Anderson, Etc., Begins 10/27

Tomorrow, October 27th, The York Theatre Company will begin performances for Plain and Fancy, the third and final show in its 'Musicals in Mufti' series -- the York's acclaimed series of musical theatre gems in staged concert performances.  It will play through October 29th.

'Mufti' means "in street clothes; without the usual trappings."  This season is made up of shows with books by Joseph Stein and features three of his rarely performed shows: Take Me Along, Carmelina and Plain and Fancy.

David Glenn Armstrong directs a cast that features Nancy Anderson (Hilda Miller), Ward Billeisen, Sara DeLaney, Erick Devine, Rick Hilsabeck. Cady Huffman (Ruth Winters), Beth Kirkpatrick, Adam Laird, Jordan Leeds (Dan King), Jack Noseworthy (Peter), Charlotte Rae (Emma), Dan Sharkey (Ezra), and Jim Sorenson.

With music by Albert Hague, lyrics by Arnold B. Horwitt and a book by />Joseph Stein and Will Glickman, Plain and Fancy opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Jan. 27, 1955 and ran for 461 performances. 

"Dan King and his girl, Ruth Winters, are sophisticated New Yorkers lost in the heart of Amish Pennsylvania to settle a piece of property owned by Dan's family. Dan has inherited land and has agreed to sell it to Papa Yoder for a wedding gift to his daughter, Katie, and her intended, Ezra. While there, they become involved with the local villagers.   Hilda Miller, a spunky Amish maiden, falls for Dan and misinterprets his kind words as words of love. The Amish men tease Ezra about marrying Katie.  Ezra's brother Peter, banished from the community for fighting, has returned. He and Katie were childhood sweethearts, and the feelings are very much alive. Dan tries to intercede for the lovers, but stubborn Papa Yoder reminds him that he is a guest in a different way of life.  Their adventurous encounters bring Dan and Ruth closer," state notes. 

"It's a mystery to me why Plain and Fancy hasn't had a more prolific life; it's a great musical in the Rodgers & Hammerstein vein, wherein outsiders confront a closed society.  It's a perfect show.  Plain and Fancy should be enjoying a major revival, and the York is rectifying a major wrong by presenting its first professional NY production in over half a century," said Armstrong.
 
For ticket information visit www.yorktheatre.org or call 212-935-5820.  The York Theatre Company is located in Saint Peter's Theatre, on 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue.  (E train to Lexington Avenue or 6 train to 51st Street).