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Finian's Rainbow 1947

Ages: 6+
Opened: January 10, 1947

Finian's Rainbow - 1947 Broadway History , Info & More

46th Street Theatre
226 W.46th St. New York, NY

The show had its Broadway premiere in 1947, which ran for 725 performances and won three Tony Awards, including one for star David Wayne and one for legendary choreographer Michael Kidd who made his Broadway debut with the show. One of the first of the socially conscious postwar musicals, Finian's Rainbow is unusual in that it deals in a satirical way with issues of class, race, and economics, most specifically in the character of a bigoted Southern senator who is accidentally turned black. It was also notable in its time for featuring an integrated cast at a time when most shows did not and for featuring a mute character who expresses herself solely through dance. The musical was revived in 1955 at City Center and in 1960 at Broadway's 46th Street Theatre.


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Tony Yazbeck, Emily Skinner, Lesli Margherita & More Set for BROADWAY BY THE YEAR at Town Hall
by Julie Musbach - Mar 1, 2018


Another all-star cast has been assembled for the second concert in this record-breaking 18th season of Town Hall's signature series,Broadway by the Year. After February's triumphant season opener, Town Hall's next concert on March 26th at 8pm will star Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita who has won fans across the length and breadth of Broadway with her starring roles in Matilda & Dames at Sea. She will be joined by Broadway favorites, Tony Yazbeck (Tony Award nominee for On the Town) and Emily Skinner (Tony Award nominee for Side Show). In addition, the cast will star Jenny Lee Stern (Rocky: The Musical & Spamilton), Brian Charles Rooney (The Three-Penny Opera), Mia Gerachis (Jekyll & Hyde), and more stars soon to be announced!

Karen Oberlin, Anita Gilette and More to Join Richard Skipper for 'Yip' Harburg Celebration at the Beechman
by BWW News Desk - Apr 3, 2017


To celebrate the 121st birthday of lyricist E.Y. 'Yip' Harburg, Richard Skipper has assembled a brunch time cabaret tribute to the legendary lyricist, to be staged at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on April 8, with cabaret stars Karen Oberlin, Leslie Orofino, Maureen Kelley Stewart and a special appearance by Anita Gilette.

IRELAND ON BROADWAY Comes to Feinstein's/54 Below Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Sep 2, 2016


In addition to St. Patrick's Day, let's all be Irish tonight, September 2nd, and celebrate the crossroads of Ireland and Broadway!

IRELAND ON BROADWAY Coming to Feinstein's/54 Below Next Month
by BWW News Desk - Aug 22, 2016


In addition to St. Patrick's Day, let's all be Irish on Friday, September 2nd and celebrate the crossroads of Ireland and Broadway!

NCTC to Present West Coast Premiere of ON A CLEAR DAY
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 18, 2016


New Conservatory Theatre Center crowns its 2015-16 season with the West Coast premiere of a whimsical reimagining of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, the classic American musical featuring music by Burton Lane, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, and a new book by Peter Parnell, based on the original book by Lerner. This mesmerizing and enchanting new look at the classic musical is just your typical musical comedy - about hypnosis, a gay florist with commitment issues, a love triangle with a therapist, and past life as a 1940s chanteuse.

Masterworks Broadway Announces New Partnership With Seth Rudetsky, 10/6
by BWW News Desk - Oct 6, 2010


Masterworks Broadway, 'where show tunes take center stage,' continues the celebration of its incomparable library of theatrical recordings by announcing a new partnership with Broadway insider/comedian Seth Rudetsky. The new weekly video series, Brava! Seth Rudetsky Deconstructs Masterworks Broadway, premieres October 6 and continues every Wednesday thereafter. The first episodes include Rudetsky's patented takes on Betty Buckley's 'He Plays the Violin' from the Broadway classic 1776 and Patti LuPone's 'Blow, Gabriel, Blow' from Anything Goes.

Masterworks Broadway Announces New Partnership With Seth Rudetsky, 10/6
by Erica Anker - Sep 30, 2010


Masterworks Broadway, 'where show tunes take center stage,' continues the celebration of its incomparable library of theatrical recordings by announcing a new partnership with Broadway insider/comedian Seth Rudetsky. The new weekly video series, Brava! Seth Rudetsky Deconstructs Masterworks Broadway, premieres October 6 and continues every Wednesday thereafter. The first episodes include Rudetsky's patented takes on Betty Buckley's 'He Plays the Violin' from the Broadway classic 1776 and Patti LuPone's 'Blow, Gabriel, Blow' from Anything Goes.

MTC To Hold Samuel J. Friedman Dedication Ceremony 9/4
by BWW News Desk - Sep 4, 2008


The Tony Award-winning Manhattan Theatre Club (Peter J. Solomon, Chairman of the Board; Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) will dedicate its Broadway theatre the 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre' on Thursday, September 4.

MTC To Hold Samuel J. Friedman Dedication Ceremony 9/4
by Faetra Petillo - Aug 11, 2008


The Tony Award-winning Manhattan Theatre Club (Peter J. Solomon, Chairman of the Board; Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) will dedicate its Broadway theatre the 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre' on Thursday, September 4.

MTC Renames Biltmore Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jun 19, 2008


The Tony Awardâ-winning Manhattan Theatre Club (Peter J. Solomon, Chairman of the Board; Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) today announced it will rename its Broadway house, the landmarked Biltmore Theatre, the 'Samuel J. Friedman Theatre' in recognition of the pioneering Broadway publicist.

Five-time Tony Award Winning Choreographer Kidd Dies at 92
by BWW News Desk - Dec 25, 2007


Five-time Tony Award winner and Honorary Academy Award winning choreographer Michael Kidd passed away on December 23 in Los Angeles from cancer. Kidd was 92, as reported by the New York Times.

Finian's Rainbow History

Other Productions of Finian's Rainbow

1947   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1947   West End London Production
West End
1955   Broadway City Center Revival
Broadway
1960   Broadway City Center Revival
Broadway
1997   Regional (US) Goodspeed Revival
Regional (US)
1999   New York Reading
New York
1999   US Tour Touring Revival
US Tour
2003   New York New York Concert
New York
2004   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
2004   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2009   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2016   Off-Broadway Irish Repertory Company Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway

Finian's Rainbow - 1947 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1948 Tony Awards Best Conductor and Musical Director Max Meth
1947 Theatre World Awards Performance David Wayne
1947 Tony Awards Best Choreography Michael Kidd
1947 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical David Wayne

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