42nd Street

Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Book by Mark Bramble and Michael Stewart

Opened August 25, 1980
Closed January 8, 1989 (3486 performances)
Revival opened May 2, 2001
Revival closed January 2, 1005 (1524 performances)

Original cast: Tammy Grimes (Dorothy Brock), Jerry Orbach (Julian Marsh), Wanda Richert (Peggy Sawyer), Joseph Bova (Bert Barry), Danny Carroll (Andy Lee), Robert Colston (Oscar), James Congdon (Pat Denning), Stan Page (Mac), Carole Cook (Maggie Jones), Don Crabtree (Abner Dillon), Karen Prunczik (Annie), and Lee Roy Reams (Billy Lawlor); Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion; Musical Direction by John Lesko; Scenic Design by Robin Wagner; Costume Design by Theoni V. Aldredge; Lighting Design by Tharon Musser; Produced by David Merrick; Played at the Winter Garden Theatre, the Majestic Theatre, and the St. James Theatre

Revival cast: Michael Cumpsty (Julian Marsh), Christine Ebersole (Dorothy Brock), Michael Arnold (Andy Lee), David Elder (Billy Lawlor), Allen Fitzpatrick (Mac), Jonathan Freeman (Bert Barry), Mylinda Hull (Annie), Kate Levering (Peggy Sawyer), Michael McCarty (Abner Dillon), Richard Muenz (Pat Denning), Billy Stritch (Oscar), and Mary Testa (Maggie Jones); Directed by Mark Bramble; New Choreography by Randy Skinner; Musical Direction by Todd Ellison; Scenic Design by Douglas W. Schmidt; Costume Design by Roger Kirk; Lighting Design by Paul Gallo; Produced by Dodger Theatricals; Played at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts

Songs include: "Overture," "Audition," "Shadow Waltz," "Young and Healthy," "Go Into Your Dance," "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me," "Getting Out of Town," "We're in the Money," "Dames," "Sunny Side to Every Situation," "Lullaby of Broadway," "About a Quarter to Nine," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," "42nd Street," and "Finale." The revival also featured "Keep Young and Beautiful," "I Only Have Eyes to You," and "With Plenty of Money and You."

Harry Warren and Al Dubin wrote many songs that were featured in the lavish Busby Berkeley film musicals of the early days of talking pictures. Nearly fifty years later, "the abominable showman" David Merrick brought a show to Broadway that featured many of these songs factored into the plot of one of the most famous of these movies: 42nd Street. It's the quitessential "backstage musical," telling the story of a naive chorus girl who has to step into the spotlight when the star gets injured. The show has been a favorite since it premeired, giving theatre companies across the country the chance to show off their tap dancers.

This show deserves its status as a classic. It's not my favorite show, but it's pretty much the stereotypical musical. The songs are almost all recognizeable hits, and it provides countless opportunities for dancers. On the original cast recording, Jerry Orbach gives a timeless performance singing the lead in "Lullabye of Broadway." Because of the nature of the show, you're going to be seeing it for years to come. Next up will be a far less successful show, 70 Girls, 70.