Photo Flash: Blickenstaff, Clow, et al. in Kennedy Center's FIRST YOU DREAM Kander & Ebb Review

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb in the Eisenhower Theater now through July 1, 2012. The musical revue stars Heidi Blickenstaff, James Clow, Alan H. Green, Leslie Kritzer, Patina Miller, and Matthew Scott.

Originally produced at Signature Theatre in Virginia and co-conceived by David Loud and Eric Schaeffer, the production features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and is directed by Eric Schaeffer. Jon Kalbfleisch conducts the 22-piece Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. 

First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb celebrates the legendary five-decade partnership of songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb who brought us Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Zorba. Songs include “The Cell Block Tango,” “Maybe This Time,” “Ring Them Bells,” “Sing Happy,” “Razzle Dazzle,” and many more.

John Kander and Fred Ebb’s long collaboration has created many Broadway standards and contemporary classics: Flora the Red Menace, Cabaret (Tony Award®), The Happy Time, Zorba, 70 Girls 70, Chicago, The Act, Woman of the Year (Tony Award®), The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tony Award®), Steel Pier, Curtains, and The Scottsboro Boys. Their collaboration also transferred itself to movies and television, original material for the Academy Awards, Liza with a Z, Emmy Award and HBO’s Liza Minnelli’s Steppin Out (Emmy Award), Funny Lady, Oscar nominated for How Lucky Can You Get, Lucky Lady, New York, New York, Stepping Out and Chicago the movie. Oscar nominated for Move On. The song “New York, New York” became the official anthem of New York City in the mid-1980s. The Visit and All About Us have been produced regionally.

The Kennedy Center production of First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb will feature scenic design by James Kronzer, costume design by Kathleen Geldard, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Kai Harada. The production will include musical staging by Karma Camp, orchestrations by William David Brohn, music supervision and vocal arrangement by David Loud, and casting by Laura Stanczyk Casting.

Alan H. Green, Heidi Blickenstaff, Matthew Scott

Patina Miller, Heidi Blickenstaff and Leslie Kritzer