How well do you know the Tony Award-winning musical *42nd Street*? From its roots as a 1930s Hollywood film to its Broadway revival, this iconic show is packed with fascinating facts that could surprise even the biggest musical theatre fans. Test your knowledge about the behind-the-scenes drama, record-breaking runs, and iconic tap-dancing sequences that made *42nd Street* a spectacle on both sides of the Atlantic. Ready to dive deep into *42nd Street* trivia? Let's get started!
International Productions
- The 1984 London production of "42nd Street" won the Olivier Award for Best Musical.
Musical Composition
- The musical includes classic songs from the 1933 film as well as tunes from other films of the era, making it a sort of jukebox musical.
- The 2017 revival of "42nd Street" included the song "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," which was originally written for the movie "Moulin Rouge."
- The song '42nd Street' features prominently in the musical, symbolizing the magic of Broadway.
Production Facts
- "42nd Street" is based on a 1932 novel by Bradford Ropes and its 1933 Hollywood film adaptation, highlighting the rehearsal process of a Broadway show during the Great Depression.
- The original Broadway production of "42nd Street" opened in 1980 and ran until 1989, making it the 15th longest-running show in Broadway history as of October 1, 2021.
- The musical won the Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Choreography in 1981, and its 2001 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival.
- "42nd Street" is known for its spectacle, including a theatrical reveal of forty tap-dancing feet, which was met with cheers during its Broadway premiere.
- Tragically, Gower Champion, the director and choreographer of the original Broadway production, died on the opening day, which was revealed to the public and cast during the closing curtain call by producer David Merrick.
- Catherine Zeta-Jones's career was launched when she stepped in for the lead role of Peggy Sawyer during the 1984 West End production after both the principal and understudy were unavailable.
- The wardrobe designed by Theoni V. Aldredge for the original Broadway production is displayed at the Wick Theatre and Costume Museum in Boca Raton, Florida.
- The 2001 Broadway revival of 42nd Street opened at the Foxwoods Theatre and ran for 1,524 performances closing in January 2005.
- The Ogunquit Playhouse's 2019 production of 42nd Street was the first major production since director Mark Bramble's passing, featuring choreography by Randy Skinner.
- The 2019 West End production of 42nd Street was recorded and aired as part of PBS's Great Performances series, bringing the show to a wider television audience.
- The iconic line from Julian Marsh before a performance uplifts Peggy: 'You're going out there a youngster, but you've got to come back a star!'
