Photo Flash: City Springs Theatre Presents 42ND STREET

City Springs Theatre, Atlanta's newest professional theatre company presents Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley in "42nd Street," the ultimate Broadway musical, playing at the brand-new Byers Theatre at The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs) September 14th through the 23rd. Tickets are $30-$62, with discounts for seniors, students, groups, and active and retired military personnel. Visit www.CitySpringsTheatre.com or call 404-477-4365 for more information.

"42nd Street" is an unforgettable tap-dancing extravaganza with a book by Michael Stewartand Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin and music by Harry Warren. Packed with razzmatazz and plenty of pizzazz, it will set your heart pounding with its rhythmically tapping feet and hit parade of songs: "We're In The Money," "Shuffle Off To Buffalo," "You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me," and, of course, "42nd Street!"

The 1980 Broadway production won the Tony Award for Best Musical as did the 2001 Broadway revival for Best Revival. Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the subsequent 1933 film adaptation, "42nd Street" tells the story of a starry-eyed young actress named Peggy Sawyer who has come to audition for the new Julian Marsh musical that is about to open on Broadway. Unfortunately, Peggy can't seem to work up the nerve to walk through the stage door until it's too late--the audition is over. But not to worry! Peggy soon catches the eye of the famous director, and when the chorus turns up one girl short, Peggy gets her big break. But Peggy can't seem to stay in the good graces of the show's aging leading lady, Dorothy Brock; and on opening night, another dancer accidentally pushes Peggy into Ms. Brock who falls and breaks her ankle. The furious director fires Peggy on the spot. Discouraged and ready to give up all her dreams of becoming a star, Peggy packs her bags and heads for the train station, but fate has other plans and Peggy may turn out to be a star yet!

Playing Broadway director Julian Marsh is Tony Award winning Georgia native Shuler Hensley. Mr. Hensley recently appeared as Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare in the Park's "Twelfth Night," and recently starred as Charlie in Royal Theatre Bath's critically acclaimed production of "The Whale."

He has also appeared as the Monster in the original Broadway and West End productions of Mel Brook's "Young Frankenstein," Javert in Broadway's "Les Miserables," and Jud Fry in "Oklahoma!," which earned him the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Olivier awards. Mr. Hensley has also appeared as Oscar in The New Group's production of "Sweet Charity" opposite Sutton Foster, The Grinch in "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" in Chicago and Madison Square Garden, Tony in New York City Center's Encore! production of "The Most Happy Fella" and Two Plays in Rep at the Cort Theatre: "Waiting for Godot" and "No Man's Land." He appeared in "Carousel" at Avery Fisher Hall with the New York Philharmonic, which was nationally broadcast on PBS. At Atlanta's ALLIANCE THEATRE, Mr. Hensley has appeared in "Ghost Brothers of Darkland County." Mr. Hensley is the associate artistic director of City Springs Theatre Company.

"I am excited and honored to be a part of our inaugural production of '42nd Street!'," exclaimed Mr. Hensley. "It represents what musical theatre is all about--spectacular songs, exuberant dance, and an old-fashioned show-biz story. In all its Broadway glory, '42nd Street' is the perfect show to open a brand-new theatre."

"42nd Street" also stars Leigh Ellen Jones as Peggy Sawyer, Deborah Bowman as Dorothy Brock, Benjamin Taylor Davis as Broadway crooner Billy Lawlor, Googie Uterhardt and Marcie Millard as the songwriting team of Bert Barry and Maggie Jones, Steve Hornibrook as show financier Abner Dillon, Michael Persson as dance director Andy Lee, and Jody Woodruff as former vaudeville performer, Pat Denning.

Others in the cast include Arielle Geller, Avery Gillham, Barbara Macko, Bonnie Harris, DJ Grooms, Emily Herbert, Fenner Eaddy, George Deavours, Imani Joseph, Jason Cohen, Jenna Jackson Morris, Jordan Pretorius, Kiley Washington, Lauren Tatum, Paige McCormick, Priscilla Curtis, Rob Ouellette, Sebastian Goldberg, Sumner Balkwill, Tecia Chavez, and Will Broyles.

City Springs Theatre Executive/Artistic Director Brandt Blocker directs alongside Resident Music Director Judy Cole and Resident Choreographer Cindy Mora Reiser. "42nd Street" features the live City Springs Theatre Orchestra.

The design team for the show includes Scenic Designer Bruce Brockman, Lighting Designer Mike Wood, Costume Coordinator Betty Johnson, Wig Designer George Deavours, and Sound Designer Jon Summers.

All performances are held at The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center's Byers Theatre at 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. For tickets and information call 404-477-4365 or visit www.CitySpringsTheatre.com. Performance Schedule, September 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, & 23, 2018. Performances are Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:00pm, Saturdays & Sundays @ 2:00pm

About City Springs Theatre Company: City Springs Theatre Company was formed by Sandy Springs residents and is dedicated to entertaining, educating, and enriching the community while contributing to its cultural and economic development by creating world-class theatre experiences at the new Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. Through Broadway-style musical theatre featuring regional and national artists, creating a broad range of arts education programs for the enrichment of the community, and providing entertaining and inspiring productions for diverse audiences, City Springs Theatre Company establishes Sandy Springs as a growing cultural center. City Springs Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural organization. For more information, and to find out how you can get involved, visit www.CitySpringsTheatre.com.

Photo Credit: Ben Rose

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