CAGNEY Celebrates 300th Performance at The Westside Theater Today!

Cagney, the new hit musical about Hollywood's tough guy in tap shoes, celebrates its 300th performance, today, December 21 at the Westside Theatre, upstairs. Cagney had its official opening on April 3, 2016 following 21 preview performances.

Prior to the run at The Westside Theatre, Cagney played a critically acclaimed limited engagement at The York Theatre Company in 2015.

"Celebrating 300 performances... talk about a brilliant Christmas present for the company," says Robert Creighton, who stars as Hollywood legend James Cagney and co-wrote the original musical score. "The idea for Cagney began when I was still in acting school. And now, all these years later, it's a dream come true to share the stage with this amazing cast and celebrate this screen legend and native New Yorker. The response from the critics and audience, the awards and nominations ...it is truly beyond what we could have hoped for."

A hit with audiences and critics alike, Cagney has been described as "exhilarating!" (Time Out New York), "stupendous" (NY1 News), "nothing but joy" (New York Observer), "extraordinary" (WOR Radio) and "explosive! Something for the whole family!" (PIX11 News). The New York Times raves "Robert Ceighton is born for the role," while the New York Post says "Creighton shines as Cagney." Praised for "some of the best dancing I have seen in my entire life" (WNBC TV), The New York Times says "Joshua Bergasse's choreography could sell tap shoes to Tibetan monks," and TheaterMania calls Cagney "a dream come true for lovers of tap dance."

Not even five and half feet tall, James Cagney's oversized talent catapulted him from scrappy Irish kid on the streets of New York to Hollywood legend on "the top of the world." A Vaudeville hoofer turned actor, Cagney made a splash on Broadway before Hollywood called and made him one of the Silver Screen's most iconic tough guys in legendary films including The Public Enemy, The G Men and White Heat. But it was his turn as song and dance man George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy that earned him the Academy Award and forever cemented his place as one of America's most beloved movie legends alongside the likes of Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Marlon Brando, Jimmy Stewart and Fred Astaire.

Cagney's six-member cast stars Broadway's Robert Creighton (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes) as the legendary James Cagney, with Jeffry Denman (Broadway's Irving Berlin's White Christmas, The Producers), Danette Holden (Broadway's Annie, Shrek the Musical), Josh Walden (Broadway's Ragtime, La Cage aux Folles, A Chorus Line), Ellen Zolezzi (Seussical), and Bruce Sabath (Broadway's Company).

Directed by Bill Castellino (Grumpy Old Men, Jolson), with choreography by Tony Award nominee Joshua Bergasse (On the Town, Gigi), Cagney features a book by Peter Colley (I'll Be Back Before Midnight) and score that blends original music by Robert Creighton and Christopher McGovern (Lizzie Borden) with classic George M. Cohan favorites, including "Give My Regards To Broadway," "Grand Old Flag," and "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

Cagney features a scenic design by James Morgan, costume design by Martha Bromelmeier, lighting design by Michael Gilliam, sound design by Janie Bullard, projection design by Mark Pirolo, music direction by Matthew Perri, music coordination by Larry Lelli, fight direction by ChristIan Kelly-Sordelet and Rick Sordelet, casting by Carol Hanzel, and general management by Brierpatch Productions.

Cagney is produced by Riki Kane Larimer (Fiddler on the Roof, Tappin' Thru Life, On The Town, Gigi), in association with Jamie deRoy, Sharon Azrieli, Joe Cecala, Barbara Freitag, Joel B. Grossman, Joe Sirola, Mary Cossette, Emily Conner, Leonard Landau, 8350 Productions LLC, and In Fine Company.

LISTINGS INFORMATION: Cagney plays at The Westside Theatre, upstairs (407 West 43rd Street, between 9th & 10th Aves). Performances are Tuesday at 7PM, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8PM, with matinees Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 2PM, and Sunday at 3PM. Tickets are $89.00 (including a $1.50 facility fee.). Call Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200.

SPECIAL HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

CHRISTMAS/HANNUKAH WEEK, DECEMBER 19 - 25: Mon. Dec. 19 - NO PERFORMANCE Tues. Dec. 20 at 7PM Wed. Dec. 21 at 2PM & 8PM Thurs. Dec. 22 at 2PM & 8PM Fri. Dec 23 at 8PM Sat. Dec. 24 at 2PM Sun. Dec. 25 - NO PERFORMANCE

NEW YEAR'S WEEK, DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 1: Mon. Dec. 26 at 2PM & 8PM Tues. Dec. 27 at 7PM Wed. Dec. 28 at 2PM & 8PM Thurs. Dec. 29 - at 2PM & 8PM Fri. Dec 30 at 8PM Sat. Dec. 31 - NO PERFORMANCE Sun. Jan. 1 at 3PM

Photo credit: Carol Rosegg