Initial casting has been announced for Kander and Ebb's THE HAPPY TIME: 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT at Feinstein's/54 Below on Thursday, April 19th, 2018, at 7:00pm.
The concert will feature Mary Callanan (Bandstand, The Bridges of Madison County),Claybourne Elder (Sunday in the Park with George, Bonnie and Clyde), Debbie Gravitte (Tony Award winner for Jerome Robbins Broadway, Chicago), Kara Lindsay (Newsies, Wicked), Peyton Lusk (Falsettos, Bar Mitzvah Boy), Jesse Markowitz (Avenue Q, Hello Dolly), Janet Metz (Fiddler on the Roof, Once Upon a Mattress), Nic Rouleau (The Book of Mormon, Legally Blonde), Michael Rupert (Tony Award winner for Sweet Charity, Pippin, Legally Blonde) AJ Shively (Bright Star, La Cage Aux Folles), Ryan Vona (Paramour, Once), and Jim Walton (Merrily We Roll Along, She Loves Me).
Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
THE HAPPY TIME: 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT will be directed by the show's original star Michael Rupert, and produced by Robert W. Schneider. The show will be music directed by Eugene Gwozdz.
The Happy Time, which was nominated for the 1968 Best Musical Tony Award, has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by N. Richard Nash. It originally starred Robert Goulet, David Wayne, and Mr. Rupert. It was directed and choreographed by Gower Champion.
The Happy Time tells the story of Jacques, a world-roving photographer, who returns to his French-Canadian village hoping to recover the happy time of his childhood. Problems arise when his young nephew, fascinated by his uncle's world, proposes to drop out of school and become his assistant. The score features such songs as "The Happy Time," "I Don't Remember You," "Walking Among My Yesterdays," "A Certain Girl," and many more.
Schneider said, "The Happy Time possesses one of Kander and Ebb's most romantic scores. Mr. Kander's beautiful, lush melodies, coupled with Mr. Ebb's most sentimental observations, celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. We could not think of a better way to commemorate this incredible score than to bring it back to New York audiences, under the helm of its original star, the marvelous Michael Rupert."
Tickets, starting at $30, are still available. In addition to the ticket price, there is food and beverage minimum of $25.00 THE HAPPY TIME: 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT tickets can be purchased at 54below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551
Michael Feinstein, one of the world's greatest musical artists, and 54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, have united to give New York an unparalleled destination for entertainment and dining. Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, is the performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife. A few blocks from the heart of Times Square and just below the legendary Studio 54, Feinstein's/54 Below is a classically designed state-of-the-art nightclub in the theatre district that hosts audiences with warmth and style. Feinstein's/54 Below will present iconic and rising stars from the worlds of Broadway and popular music. The venue provides a food and beverage menu from early evening through the wee hours of the morning that is worthy of the world-class entertainment on the stage. In their description on the venue, The New York Times writes Feinstein's/54 Below "has the intimacy of a large living room with unimpeded views and impeccable sound; there is not a bad seat. Its sultry after-hours ambience is enhanced by brocade-patterned wall panels planted with orange-shaded lanterns. And the atmosphere is warmer and sexier than in Manhattan's other major supper clubs. Located at 254 West 54th Street, Feinstein's/54 Below features up to three shows nightly with cover charges ranging from $15-$105. www.54Below.com/Feinsteins
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