Photo Flash: WBT Presents 42ND STREET

Press Night Opening: 10/1/09 Direction and Choreography by Randy Skinner Musical Direction by Jeff Tanski

42ND STREET, "The Song and Dance Fable of Broadway," is based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the subsequent 1933 film adaptation. The movie of "42ND STREET," set the style for nearly a decade of big movie musicals with lavish sets, costumes, musical numbers and pretty chorus girls (designed at that time - 1933 - to ease "Depression blues").

It is a backstage story about the efforts of famed Great White Way director, Julian Marsh, to mount a successful stage production of a musical show called "Pretty Lady, at the height of the Great Depression. The star, Dorothy Brock, because of a broken ankle, is unable to perform and the show may have to close. A young, fresh, talent named Peggy Sawyer, emerges from the chorus. She not only saves the day, but is an absolute sensation, and goes on to become a star herself.

42ND STREET, is a big, bold musical which celebrates the stuff that dreams are made of, with lots of great songs, and an emphasis on big, splashy, production dance numbers including; "We're in The Money, "Lullaby of Broadway", "You're Getting To Be Habit With Me," "Shuffle Off To Buffalo," and of course, the title number "42nd Street."

Produced for Broadway by David Merrick and directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, 42ND STREET, had a bittersweet opening night. The cast, anticipating a long run of the show, were shocked when they were told of Gower Champion's death earlier that day. The 1980 Broadway production, orchestrated by Philip J. Lang, won the Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Choreography 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 also won the Tony for Best Revival.

Our terrific cast includes Tom Galantich as Julian Marsh, Dorothy Stanley as Dorothy Brock, Shannon M. O'Bryan as Peggy Sawyer, Todd Lattimore as Billy Lawlor, Michael Scott as Pat Denning, Ann-Ngaire Martin as Maggie Jones, David Titus as Abner Dillon, Derek Roland as Andy Lee, Jonathan Tomaselli as Bert Barry and Jenna Edison as Anytime Annie.

The Ensemble includes: Andrew Black, Jennifer Cameron, Andrew Chartier, Justine Clark, Andrew Eckert, Meghan Garstang, Jordan Grubb, Andrew Hodge, Chris LeBeau, Ashley Peacock, Matt Schneider, Kelly Skidmore and Katy Wood.

We are very fortunate to have Randy Skinner who assisted Gower Champion on the Original Broadway production of "42ND STREET" to direct and choreograph our 35th Anniversary production He choreographed the Broadway revival of 42ND STREET in 2001 and also choreographed and staged the London, Australia and Amsterdam productions as well as two U.S. national companies. Kelli Barclay, a long time associate of Randy Skinners' working alongside him on many shows including the 2001 Tony Award winning revival of 42nd Street, will be the Associate Choreographer. Jeff Tanski is our Musical Director. The winning production team includes Steve Loftus (Set Designer), Andrew Gmoser (Lighting Designer), Jon Hatton (Sound Designer), Gail Baldoni (Costume Designer), Victor Lukas (Production Stage Manager & Properties Design), and Ron Rogell (Assistant Stage Mgr.)

Randy Skinner (Director/Choreographer) Shows include: 42ND STREET (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Astaire nominations), Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS (Tony Award nomination), STATE FAIR (Outer Critics nomination), AIN'T BROADWAY GRAND (Tony, Outer Critics nominations), AFTER THE NIGHT AND THE MUSIC (MTC/Biltmore), DO RE MI, OF THEE I SING, FACE THE MUSIC and the recent NO, NO, NANETTE (the last four for City Center Encores), THE BALLAD OF BONNIE AND CLYDE (NYMF), Lone Star Love (Lucille Lortel nomination), AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (Houston's Alley Theatre), PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ (Kennedy Center), STORMY WEATHER (with Leslie Uggams) in both Philadelphia & Los Angeles. Also in Los Angeles: Happy Days, HELLO DOLLY (with Nell Carter), PAL JOEY (with Dixie Carter, Elaine Stritch), STRIKE UP THE BAND (with Tom Bosley). The 2001 TONY AWARD Telecast (opening number). He has also received the LA Drama Critics, LA Dramalogue, Bay Area Critics, Connecticut Critics, and Cleveland Times Theatre Awards.

Tom Galantich (Julian Marsh): Broadway: Boeing Boeing, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Mamma Mia!, The Boys From Syracuse, City of Angels, Into The Woods. Off-Broadway: most recently Distracted (Roundabout), Ghosts and Biography (Pearl Theatre).He has toured nationally with starring roles in White Christmas, Company, and Dracula. Among his many regional credits are his most recent as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music at North Carolina Theatre and here at Westchester Broadway in City of Angels. Last season Tom was seen as recurring character Joe Chappell, on Law & Order. Other TV: Ed, Law & Order: CI, Chappelle's Show, The Cosby Mysteries, All My Children, One Life To Live, Another World. Film: Julie & Julia, Watching TV With The Red Chinese, and The Chosen One. Tom is a veteran of numerous commercials and has sung at Carnegie Hall in a salute to 100 years of Broadway.

Dorothy Stanley (Dorothy Brock) made her Broadway Debut in SUGAR BABIES with Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney. Other Broadway credits: the original 42ND STREET (Anytime Annie), ANNIE, Jerome Robbins' BROADWAY, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, and revivals of SHOW BOAT, FOLLIES, 42ND STREET, LA CAGE..., SWEENEY TODD, and Patti LuPone's GYPSY. Regional credits: St. Louis Rep, the Long Wharf, Pioneer, and Olney Theatres, Syracuse and Arena Stages, Paper Mill, Cape, and Cincinnatti Playhouses and the Goodspeed Opera House. She comes to the WBT directly from the Weston Playhouse (VT) where she appeared in MUSICAL OF MUSICALS THE MUSICAL!

Shannon M. O'Bryan (Peggy Sawyer) is thrilled to be doing her favorite role here at Westchester Broadway Theatre. Shannon has performed this role all over the U.S., on Broadway, and in Moscow, Russia. Some credits include White Christmas (Judy), An American in Paris (Mimi), Face the Music and Follies (City Center), Grease (Sandy), and Gypsy (Dainty June).

Michael Scott (Pat Denning) is thrilled to be back at the Westchester Broadway Theatre doing 42ND STREET again after 10 years. Broadway: 110 in the Shade, Follies, Showboat, Pirates of Penzance, Happy New Year, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Off-Broadway: The Fantasticks, Abby's Song, China Doll, The Drunkard. National Tours: Showboat, Camelot. Regional: Deathtrap, Stormy Weather, 1776, Chicago, Buddy, and M. Butterfly.TICKETS & INFORMATION
RESERVATIONS: Call (914)-592-2222. Also at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com

GROUP RESERVATIONS: Groups of 20 or More: Call 592-2225, Mon. thru Fri.
10am - 6pm

LUXURY BOXES: Call 592-8730, Mon. thru Fri. 10am - 4pm. For private parties of 6 to 22. Enjoy dining and theatre in an elegant private box. Additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, private powder room, and Luxury Box reserved parking.

Photo credit John Vecchiolla

 

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