Review Roundup: Critics Weigh In On Fulton Theatre's 42ND STREET

The historic Fulton Theatre is tapping in the holiday season with a signature Fulton dance extravaganza! The glitz, glamour, and the "Lullaby of Broadway," 42nd Street. This classic Broadway Music is bursting with show-stopping number after show-stopping number including memorable Broadway standards such as "We're In the Money," "About a Quarter to Nine," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," and the title song "Forty-Second Street"! 42nd Street at the Fulton will excite your senses and energize your spirits for the holidays!

With stars in her eyes, Peggy Sawyer leaves small town PA for the bright lights of the big city. An immediate and lucky discovery lands Peggy a chorus part in a Broadway-bound show; facing continuous adversity, she makes plans to leave it all behind... until a "break" may put her back in the game and catapult her to stardom!

Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the subsequent 1933 Hollywood film adaptation, 42nd Street is an American musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin and Johnny Mercer, and music by Harry Warren. The 1980 Broadway production, produced by David Merrick, directed by an ailing Gower Champion and orchestrated by Philip J. Lang, won the Tony Award for Best Musical and became a long-running hit. The show was produced in London in 1984 (winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical) and its 2001 Broadway revival won the Tony for Best Revival.

The cast of 38 includes Denise Whelan (Dorothy Brock), Sarah Quinn Taylor (Peggy Sawyer), Charis Leos (Maggie Jones), Tiffany Rudi (Anne Reilly "Anytime Annie", Allie Pizzo (Phyllis Dale), Samantha Hewes Cramer (Lorraine Flemming), Kelcey Matheny (Gladys), Stevie Ann Mack (Diane Lorimer), Cora Siburt (Ethel), Tom Glantich (Julian Marsh), Randal Keith (Bert Barry), Nicolas Dromard (Billy Lawlor), Buddy Reeder (Andy Lee), Benjamin Eisenhour (Mac, Thug), Elliot Sterenfeld (Pat Denning), Peter McClung (Abner Dillon), Will Geoghegan (Pickpocket/Thief, Shadow), Kelly Liz Bolick (Dorthy Double, Dance Captain), Ryan Lambert (Club Owner), Edward Tolve (Thug). The Ensemble Includes Brandon Ambrosino, Michael Bingham, Kelly Liz Bolick, Grace Browning, Aubrey Cheek, Alec Cohen, Alex Drost, Carissa Gaughran, Will Geoghegan, Jorge Guerra, Tyler Johnson-Campion, Rebecca Rene Kelly, Ryan Lambert, Stevie Ann Mack, Kelcey Matheny, Alex Hayden Miller, Austin Nedrow, Heather Holting, Kwasi Perry, Allie Pizzo, Dea'Shinique Ramsey , Cora Silburt, Jackson Siegel, Katie Sina, Edward Tolve, Lindsey Weissinger. Gregory Boyer is the production's Swing.

In addition to Director and Choreographer Marc Robin, the creative team includes: John Lefever (Music Director), Bruce Brockman (Scenic Designer), Paul Black (Lighting Designer), Ryan J. Moller (Costume Designer), Chris Leary (Assistant Costume Designer), Anthony Lascoskie, Jr. (Wig and Makeup Designer), Katelin Walsko (Props Designer), Jacob Mishler (Sound Designer), Bob Cline (Casting Director), Timothy Markus (Production Stage Manager), and Rebekah Church (Assistant Stage Manager).

With special thanks to our Season Sponsor Fulton Bank, Season Co-Sponsors Donegal Insurance Group, Hagelgans & Veronis, Rodgers & Associates, and Wendell L. Funk Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center, Production Sponsors PNC, Production Co-Sponsor Penn Cinema, Opening Night Sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Lancaster, Audience Services Sponsors The Belvedere Inn, David Lyall Home & Design, Garden Spot Communities, Howard Orthodontics, Lancaster Country Day School, Simon Lever LLP, Tanger Outlets, Four Legged Friend Sponsor VCA Smoketown and Pay-What-You-Want-Sponsor Wells Fargo

New York Casting is done by Bob Cline Casting. Interviews are available with the cast and/or director based on availability. Production photos are available upon request.

A complete list of show dates and times can be found at https://thefulton.org/shows/42nd-street/

Let's see what the critics have to say!

Anthony Goric, Fig Lancaster: The golden-clad performers during We're In The Money were an incredible synchronized tap-dancing team as the pit orchestra trumpeted a certain musical swagger that matched each click and clack of the dancers. All the musical numbers blended seamlessly with the scenes to create a true joyride through the story.

Jane Holahan, Lancaster Online: The cast is, without exception, fantastic, from Taylor's sweet and naive Peggy Sawyer to Galantich's cynical but charismatic Julian Marsh. And there are many others. Charis Leos is a delight as writer Maggie Jones; Tiffany Rudi is swell as Anytime Annie, one of the chorus girls; Nicolas Dromard is fun as the egotistical ladies man wanna-be Billy Lawlor and Whelan is a fine Dorothy Brock.

Claudia Perry, Times Square Chronicle: The show stars Denise Whelan as the imperious Dorothy Brock who must string along her millionaire, sugar daddy, Abner, as he is bankrolling the production. Ms. Whelan is every inch the prima donna, basking in the glow of her former stardom as she tries to keep up with the rest of the young, talented cast. Ms. Whelan is particularly touching in her Act II scene with Peggy where she wishes her good luck and they sing "A Quarter to Nine", together. Sarah Quin Taylor (Peggy Sawyer) is a veritable dancing machine with a clear, strong voice and wide-eyed appeal. Nicholas Dromard is a triple-threat as the completely charming, utterly lovable Billy Lawler. Tom Galantich is simply terrific as the fast talking, hard-hitting, pull no punches director, Julian Marsh. But the real stars of the show are the entire chorus of hoofers who will tap your troubles away for two hours and fifteen minutes.

Rich Mehrenberg, BroadwayWorld: The often under-appreciated orchestra must also be recognized for their great talents and contributions to the show. In some of my past reviews, I have neglected to draw sufficient attention to the musicians, but this is no reflection on what they bring to the show. For that, I am sorry. I think it might have to with the pit being hidden under the stage. Unfairly, out of sight, out of mind.

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