42nd STREET Comes To The Fox Theatre 7/28-8/2

“We are thrilled to bring back the tap dancing musical extravaganza 42nd Street,” exclaims Christopher B. Manos, Producer of Theater of the Stars. “And starring as the perennial leading lady ‘Dorothy Brock,” is the sublime Loretta Swit, an amazing actress whose career spans
stage, screen and television roles from Mame to ‘Hot Lips Houlihan’ in M*A*S*H*.  Our brand new production is sure to delight audiences of all ages!  Join us for an unforgettable experience and see one of the all-time great musicals at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from July 28 through August 2.  Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com.”

Based on the 1980 Tony-Award winning musical, 42nd Street tells the story of young Peggy Sawyer who comes to New York in search of fame and fortune.  She catches the eye of one of the most powerful directors on Broadway, Julian Marsh.  As can only happen in a Broadway musical, Peggy is discovered, hired, fired, and eventually becomes the star of the show!  In between the intrigue and the plot twists are thrilling dance numbers, fabulous sets and gorgeous costumes, and some of the most famous songs ever heard on a Broadway stage including “You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me,” “We’re In The Money,” “The Lullaby of Broadway,” “About A Quarter To Nine,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” and the title song, “42nd Street.” 

From the source material of 1930’s movies including “42nd Street” (1933), “Gold Diggers of 1933,” “Dames” (1934) and “Gold Diggers of 1935,” Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble wrote the
book, based on the novel by Bradford Ropes.  Harry Warren wrote the music, and Al Dubin wrote the lyrics for the 1980 stage premiere. Broadway icon Gower Champion created the Tony Award winning choreography and directed the original Broadway production which ran for more than 8 years and is one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history.

Starring in 42nd Street as Broadway diva “Dorothy Brock” is the legendary Loretta Swit.  Few
actresses can capture the imagination of a generation of television viewers with the charm of Ms. Swit.  As quick-witted, impassioned “Major Margaret Houlihan” of television’s most honored series, M*A*S*H*, she became an American icon, and with the popular program now in worldwide syndication, new fans continue to enjoy her lavish portrayal of the sensuous, comedic “Major Houlihan.”  Ms. Swit made her Broadway debut in Same Time, Next Year opposite Ted Bessell,
and later appeared in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, replacing Cleo Laine. She has toured with national companies of Any Wednesday and with two companies of Mame. She appeared in more than 500 performances of Shirley Valentine, a role for which she won Chicago’s most prestigious theatrical honor, the Sarah Siddons Award.  She has starred in more than 25 movies on television, including the original “Cagney and Lacey,” in which she created the role of “Chris Cagney.”  Her movie credits include Freebie and the Bean with James Caan and Alan Arkin, Stand Up And Be Counted with Jacqueline Bisset and Blake Edward’s S.O.B. with Julie Andrews and William Holden.  Ms. Swit’s wildlife series, “Those Incredible Animals,” was shown twice weekly on the Discovery Channel for an amazing five year run, and now can be seen on Animal Planet.

Also starring in this new production of 42nd Street:

Steve Blanchard (“Julian Marsh”) His Broadway credits include Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, The Three Musketeers and A Christmas Carol.  And on television he’s appeared in “Law and Order,” “Another World,” and “The Guiding Light.” He will be starring in the upcoming national tour of Little House On The Prairie opposite Melissa Gilbert.

Shannon M. O’Bryan (“Peggy Sawyer”) She has performed the role of “Peggy” on Broadway, as well as all over America and abroad. Other Broadway and New York credits include White Christmas, City Center’s Encores: Follies, Face The Music and Of Thee I Sing.

Austin Miller (“Billy Lawlor”) He has starred in the First National Tours of Hairspray (“Link”), Grease (“Kenicke”), and Smokey Joe’s Café (“Michael”).  He was a runner up on the popular TV reality series: “Grease: You’re The One That I Want.”  For more information visit www.austinmilleronline.com.

Also in the cast are the following: Tony Lawson (“Pat Denning”) He starred as “Thenardier” in
Les Misérables on Broadway and was featured in National Tours of Damn Yankees, Disney’s Beauty
and the Beast and Ken Hill’s Phantom of the Opera.  Denise Nolin (“Maggie Jones”) Her National Tour credits include Disney’s High School Musical, The Producers and Guys and Dolls. Sarrah Strimel (“Anytime Annie”) Her Broadway credits include Young Frankenstein, The Producers and Encore’s Stairway To Paradise. She was featured in National Tours of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and The Producers.  David Titus (“Abner Dillon”) David starred Off-Broadway as the original “Mother Superior” in Nunsense A-Men, regionally with Sally Struthers in Best Little Whorehouse, and in Mame with Christine Ebersole.  James Young (“Bert Barry”) His Broadway credits include Crazy For You (“Custus”), My Fair Lady (“Zolton Karpathy”) with Richard Chamberlain, Me And My Girl (“Bill
Snibson”), The Tap Dance Kid and A Chorus Line.

The Creative Team for this new production features Norb Joerder as Director and Choreographer.
His extensive Broadway credits include 42nd Street with Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes, La Cage Aux Folles with Gene Barry and Lee Roy Reams, Gypsy with Lanie Kazan, Guys and Dolls with Vic
Damone, The Music Man with John Schneider, Annie Get Your Gun with Andrea McArdle, My Fair Lady with Michael Moriarity and a critically acclaimed revival of Camelot starring Robert Goulet.

John Visser will serve as Musical Director.  He conducted the National Tour revivals of South Pacific, Camelot, Man of La Mancha, Anything Goes starring Mitzi Gaynor, Guys and Dolls with
Maurice Hines and the 30th Anniversary Tour of The Fantasticks starring Robert Goulet.

Rounding out the Creative Team are: James Fouchard as Scenic Designer, Roger Kirk as Costume Designer, Paul Miller as Lighting Designer, Megan Henninger as Sound Designer and Bill Newberry as Teen Ensemble Director. Casting is by Barry Moss and Bob Kale.

42nd Street will play the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta from July 28 through August 2, 2009.  Performances are Tuesday-Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, at 800-982-2787 and online a www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices range from $20-$67.50.  Special group rates are available through the Fox Group Sales Dept. at 404-881-2000.

Theater of the Stars celebrates our 57th Anniversary as one of the nation’s premier regional theater companies.  A civic not-for-profit cultural treasure, Theater of the Stars is dedicated to presenting and producing the best in musical theater.  To learn more about our history of excellence, visit www.theaterofthestars.com.

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