A major new re-working of classic backstage musical comedy 42nd Street will open at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane next March.
Based on the 1933 Warner Brothers film musical, the new version of the show which premiered on Broadway nearly 40 years ago will begin previewing on Monday 20 March 2017, ahead of a press night on Tuesday 4 April.
One of the most popular song and dance shows of all time, the new 42nd Street will be directed by the show’s author Mark Bramble (Barnum, The Three Musketeers), the director of a number of previous productions of the show including the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival in 2001.
Revealing details of his show, Bramble said: “The original production had the look of a Warner Brothers black and white film. This time we’re doing an MGM Technicolor version of 42nd Street with additional songs and dances.
“The theme of the show speaks louder today than ever before: follow your bliss and with talent and hard work dreams can come true. I’m delighted that Linnit/Grade are bringing our song and dance extravaganza to the magnificent Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.”
With a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, the show will be choreographed by Randy Skinner.
Bramble’s creative team also includes set designer Douglas W Schmidt and costume designer Roger Kirk who both worked on previous productions of the show.
Featuring musical theatre standards including ‘We’re in the Money’, ‘Lullaby of Broadway’, ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’ and the title song ‘42nd Street’, the show tells the story of the chorus girl who steps into the spotlight when the leading lady is injured and becomes a star.
The show’s previous Drury Lane run in 1984 was notable for a moment of ‘life imitating art’ when a teenage actress in the chorus called Catherine Zeta Jones stepped into the leading role of starlet Peggy Sawyer after the actress cast in the role and her understudy were unavailable due to a combination of injury and holiday.
42nd Street is presented in London by Michael Linnit & Michael Grade for Gate Ventures PLC with executive producer Johnny Hon.
Further information and casting will be announced at a later date.
Angela Thomas
Tickets for 42nd Street are available HERE.
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