After nearly 16 months of renovations, the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater reopens its doors with a grand celebration of three generations of Broadway composers. This eagerly anticipated Washington event will present abridged versions of three musicals, all in one spectacular evening!
The festivities begin with Girl Crazy, the Gershwin brothers' classic 1930s musical that weaves together such popular songs as "Embraceable You" and "I Got Rhythm." Max von Essen (Les Misérables) will portray the role of Danny Churchill, while Randy Graff (Tony winner for City of Angels) will play Kate Fothergill, the role that launched Ethel Merman's career. Tony nominee Brooks Ashmanskas will perform the role of Slick Fothergill.
Representing Broadway's "second generation" is Bye Bye Birdie, won four Tony Awards in 1961, including Best Musical. Featuring such hit songs as "Put On a Happy Face" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do," it follows rock and roll superstar Conrad Birdie and the complications that arise when his agent stages a publicity stunt on The Ed Sullivan Show in which he will kiss one lucky girl from Sweet Apple, Ohio before being drafted into the army. For the Kennedy Center performances, the role of Albert Peterson will be played by
Brooks Ashmanskas.
The evening comes to a close with the "third generation" representative: Henry Krieger and
Bill Russell's Side Show. Based on the true life story of vaudeville entertainers and conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, it earned four Tony nominations in 1997, including Best Musical, Book, Original Score, and in a first, a co-nomination for Best Actress.
Jenn Colella and
Lisa Brescia will play the roles of Daisy and Violet Hilton.
Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy.
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