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Upcoming in the New York City Center Encores! season is the production of Wonderful Town, helmed by director Zhailon Levingston. Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell is set to guide the audience through the melodic landscape crafted by Leonard Bernstein, which reflects the vibrant spirit of New York City. The musical features classic songs such as “Ohio” and “One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man,” celebrating the city as a hub of dreams and opportunities for those who come from far and wide. Wonderful Town has a rich history with the New York City Center, having been showcased in various iterations since 1958, including a notable Encores! production in 2000 that later moved to Broadway in 2003.
The cast will showcase the talents of Aisha Jackson and Tony Award recipient Anika Noni Rose in the roles of sisters Eileen and Ruth. The ensemble also includes Jimmy Ray Bennett as Officer Lonigan, Etai Benson as Frank Lippencott, Allison Blackwell as Mrs. Wade, and several others, contributing to a diverse representation of characters in this beloved musical.
The production features additional cast members such as Jonathan Duvelson, David Foley Jr., Lindsay Roberts Greene, and several others, each bringing their unique flair to the performance. The story follows two sisters, Ruth, who aspires to be a writer, and Eileen, who dreams of becoming an actress, as they transition from Ohio to the bustling neighborhood of Greenwich Village in 1935. Throughout their journey, they face challenges, encounter a cast of memorable characters, and ultimately navigate the complexities of love and ambition.
Chicago
Richard Rodgers Theatre (Broadway)
Supermodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham is making her Broadway debut as “Roxie Hart” in the iconic musical Chicago. With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago holds the title of the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Set against the backdrop of the roaring 1920s, the story revolves around Roxie Hart, a housewife and aspiring dancer who finds herself embroiled in scandal after murdering her lover. To avoid conviction, she manipulates the media and the public, transforming her crime into a sensational story filled with intrigue and drama.
Source
www.broadwayworld.com