This fall, one of America's greatest musical comedies is docking at Broadway's beautifully restored Lyric Theatre in the heart of Times Square! With the biggest orchestra on Broadway and a 30-member cast of New York's most talented singers and dancers, ON THE TOWN tells the story of three wide-eyed sailors on a whirlwind musical tour of the city that never sleeps. With just 24 hours of shore leave, they're eager to experience all that New York City has to offer... including a chance to discover love with the girl of their dreams.
Directed by Tony winner JOHN RANDO (Urinetown, A Christmas Story) and choreographed by Emmy winner JOSHUA BERGASSE ("Smash"), this big, brassy musical comedy features a beloved LEONARD BERNSTEIN score, lyrics by COMDEN AND GREEN, and breathtaking dancing inspired by the original JEROME ROBBINS choreography. Arriving on Broadway following a critically acclaimed out-of-town run, ON THE TOWN is "one of those rare revivals that remind us what a hit show was originally all about" (The New York Times). Come see what all the buzz is about, and spend a spectacular evening...ON THE TOWN!
Director John Rando does an adroit job of blending dance and comedy, with the aid of a dynamic cast (that includes a pleasingly large chorus). Things do run aground, though, in the relatively short second act. While most stories speed up as they near a climax, 'On the Town' slows way down, with a series of repetitive nightclub scenes - primarily excuses for specialty numbers - before Gabey and Ivy reunite for their final clinch.
On the Town itself, though frisky and enjoyable, does not have the strongest legs as a monument...As Ivy, the object of one sailor's infatuation, the splendid Megan Fairchild dances throughout with an elegant lightness unmatched elsewhere in the piece. But although it occasionally pushes too hard, John Rando's production inspires considerable affection. The three able-bodied seamen each get moments to show off their abilities (and their bodies), and their other two main squeezes (Alysha Umpress and Elizabeth Stanley) sing well; the supporting cast of zanies (including Allison Gunn, Stephen DeRosa, Philip Boykin and the always-ripe Jackie Hoffman) give the streets of New York a suitable complement of muggers. I suspect there will be people who love the torch-carrying spirit of this On the Town, and I wish them, and it, the best. To me, however, it seems a bit like a well-mounted exhibit at some Natural History Museum of Broadway: a stuffed lark.
1944 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1959 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
1963 | West End |
London Revival West End |
1971 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
1992 | West End |
London Concert Revival West End |
1997 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
1997 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
1998 | Broadway |
Broadway Transfer Production Broadway |
2005 | West End |
English National Opera Production West End |
2005 | Los Angeles |
Reprise! Concert Los Angeles |
2007 | West End |
Return Engagement [ENO Production] West End |
2008 | Off-Broadway |
Encores! Concert Off-Broadway |
2014 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2017 | West End |
Regent's Open Air Revival West End |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Joshua Bergasse |
2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Elizabeth Stanley |
2015 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | On the Town |
2015 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Tony Yazbeck |
2015 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | On the Town |
2015 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Tony Yazbeck |
2015 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Joshua Bergasse |
2015 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Megan Fairchild |
2015 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | On the Town |
2015 | Theatre World Awards | Theatre World Award | Megan Fairchild |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Joshua Bergasse |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | John Rando |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Tony Yazbeck |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Michael Rubenstein |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Terry/Louise/Chris Lingner |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Brunish & Trinchero |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Stephanie Rosenberg |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Laruffa & Hinderliter |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Rubinstein/Hadleman |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Lizabeth Bintz |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Riki Kane Larimer |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | 24 Hour Adventure Production |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | A&A Gordon |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Matt Ross |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Ben Feldman |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Pamela Cooper |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Barrington Stage Company |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Kim Schall |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Bryan Weingarten |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Margie Weingarten |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Ambassador Theatre Group |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Mahoney/Alden/Badway |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Michael J. Moritz, Jr. |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Nigel Lythgoe |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Paula Marie Black |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Jack W. Batman |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Bruce Robert Harris |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Severn Partners Entertainment |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Janet Kagan |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Howard Kagan |
2015 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | On the Town |
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