NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: #35 – GOOD NEWS

by | Aug 22, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

Good News Playbill - Nov 1974
"You're the Cream in My Coffee" from GOOD NEWS – Alice Faye & John Payne
WHAT’S HAPPENING BROADWAY FANS?! We’re celebrating the magic of Live Theater making a triumphant comeback all summer along. In addition, our excitement is giving us vibes as we celebrate Broadway’s biggest night in just 35 DAYS. We of course are talking about The 74th Annual Tony Awards. All of us at New York Broadway Tours continue to serenade you all each morning with the many great performances from past Tony history on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Time for another showstopper.
At # 35 on our countdown, we take you to GOOD OL’ TAIT COLLEGE in the year of 1928. This New England school is all about the talk of Football over academics. However, things are boiling in hot water when the school’s star quarterback flunks a major astronomy exam that prevents him from playing in the big victory game. Everyone is waiting for a little thing called…… GOOD NEWS. This show features a score by Ray Henderson, Lew Brown, and B.G. DeSylva along with a book by DeSylva and Laurence Schwab.
From the 1974 telecast giving a sneak preview of the show’s most recent Broadway revival, Alice Faye as “Professor Kenyon” and John Payne as “Coach Bill Johnson” take a break from all things with school life for a little romance. Here they are performing the classic standard YOU’RE THE CREAM IN MY COFFEE.
The show originally premiered on Broadway in 1927 at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre) where it became a huge smash hit running for 557 performances (one of the few major musicals at the time to surpass 500 shows). Under the direction of Edgar MacGregor and choreographed by Bobby Connolly, the cast was led by….
John Price Jones as “Tom Marlowe”,
Mary Lawlor as “Connie Lane”,
Inez Courtney as “Babe O’Day”,
Gus Shy as “Bobby Randall”,
Edward Emery as “Professor Kenyon”,
Shirley Vernon as “Patricia Bingham”,
Edwin Redding as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
John Sheenan as “Pooch”,
and
John Grant as “Beef Saunders”.
The original production of GOOD NEWS did not receive any Tony Awards nominations that year since the Tonys were not developed till 1947.
GOOD NEWS itself was revived on Broadway only once. That first and recent revival debuted in 1974. For this particular revival, it was known for being fully stunt casted using a lineup of some of the biggest names in the Movie Musical era that producer Harry Rigby used in the past (including for Irene and No No Nanette). The script was also updated. The principal role of “Professor Kenyon” was gender-swapped from a male to a female (making the “Kenyon” & “Coach Johnson” story romantic) along with 6 classic standards from Ray Henderson added into the script including BUTTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT, YOU’RE THE CREAM IN MY COFFEE, TOGETHER, and KEEP YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP. The production was a smash for a year touring before arriving at Broadway’s St. James Theatre becoming a huge flop running for only 51 previews and 16 regular performances.
Under the direction of Abe Burrows and choreographed by Donald Saddler, the cast was led by…..
Scott Stevenson as “Tom Marlowe”,
Marti Rolph as “Connie Lane”,
Barbara Lail as “Babe O’Day”,
Wayne Bryan as “Bobby Randall”,
Alice Faye as “Professor Kenyon”,
Jana Robbins as “Patricia Bingham”,
John Payne as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
Stubby Kaye as “Pooch”,
and
Joseph Burke as “Beef Saunders”.
The revival did not receive any Tony Award nominations. Despite it being a flop, it only received a Drama Desk nomination for OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY.
Later on, the show was performed as a strictly week-long run engagement in 2005 part of the former Musical Tonight series in Manhattan at the 45th Street Theatre (formerly the no longer existing The Davenport Theatre). For that version, the company performed the full original 1927 script.
Later on GOOD NEWS was in the midst of being revived again in the 90’s. A brand new production debuted in Wichita, Kansas at the Music Theatre Wichita in 1993. For this particular version, the show’s score & book was updated again by Mark Madama and Wayne Bryan (who played “Bobby Randall” in that short-lived 1974 revival). For the script, they paid tribute using elements from both versions (the original 1927 production and the 1974 revival). In addition, this version also added the 1931 standard LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES (written by Henderson and initially for George White’s 1931 edition of SCANDALS & made famous by Ethel Merman).
Even though this version did not make it to New York City, a PREMIERE CAST RECORDING of GOOD NEWS was made featuring this company & accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra. Under the direction of Mark Madama and choreographed by Linda Goodrich, the cast featured…..
Michael Gruper as “Tom Marlowe”,
Kim Huber as “Connie Lane”,
Ann Morrison as “Babe O’Day”,
Scott Schaffer as “Bobby Randall”,
Linda Michele as “Professor Kenyon”,
Timothy W. Robu as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
Michael McCormick as “Pooch”,
and
Edward Staudenmayer as “Beef Saunders”.
Today, the 1993 edition of the show is being performed in schools, community, and Regional Theaters everywhere. Music Theatre International currently holds the rights for it.
Along with its success on stage, GOOD NEWS was captured on film both for MGM twice. The original movie was released in 1930. Under the direction of Nick Grinde, it was filmed entirely in black and white & starred….
Stanley Smith as “Tom Marlowe”,
Mary Lawlor reprising her Broadway performance as “Connie Lane”,
Bessie Love as “Babe O’Day”,
Guy Shy reprising his Broadway performance as “Bobby Randall”,
Frank McGlynn Sr as “Professor Kenyon”,
Lola Lane as “Patricia Bingham”,
Thomas E. Jackson as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
Cliff Edwards as “Pooch”,
and
Delmer Daves as “Beef Saunders”.
Despite the original film having mixed reviews, it was well received by audiences.
The most recent film version of GOOD NEWS from MGM would later be released in 1947. For this particular version, the movie was shot in technicolor along with updates to the story including “Tom” studying French instead of Astronomy. There were also some last name changes to some of the characters. In addition, several new songs written by Roger Edens, Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green. Several songs included THE FRENCH LESSON & the toe-tapping PASS THAT PEACE PIPE. Under the direction of Charles Walters, the cast was led by….
Peter Lawford as “Tom Marlowe”,
June Allyson as “Connie Lane”,
Joan McCracken as “Babe Doolittle” (in place of “O’Day”),
Ray McDonald as “Bobby Turner” (in place of “Randall”),
Clinton Sundberg as “Professor Kenyon”,
Patricia Marshall as “Pat McClellan” (in place of “Bingham”),
Donald MacBride as “Coach Bill Johnson”,
Tom Dugan as “Pooch”,
and
Loren Tindall as “Beef Saunders”.
Despite the film being a big Box Office flop, the song PASS THAT PEACE PIPE would go on to receive an Oscar nomination for BEST ORIGINAL SONG that same year.
Truly one of the most underrated musicals ever that is overdue for a Broadway revival!!
How toe-tapping was that?!!

NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS: # 43 – THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES

by | Aug 14, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

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HOWDY BROADWAY FANS!!!! Just another 43 DAYS AWAY for Broadway’s ultimate celebration and WELCOME HOME party. We are talking about the 74th Annual Tony Awards. With so much anticipation in the air, your friendly guides here at New York Broadway Tours have more of our favorite Musical Numbers from previous telecasts on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Broadway has had its history on unforgettable masterminds over the years and here’s to the many more coming.
Speaking of masterminds, our pick at # 43 today on our countdown celebrates the legacy of a genius. This man has wowed both stage and screen, was a humorist, a headliner for The Ziegfeld Follies, and was not afraid to share his story through big production Musical Numbers. This is the story of THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES!!!! This show features an original score by Betty Comden and Adolph Green along with a book by Peter Stone.
From the 1991 telecast, Keith Carradine in the titular role of “Will Rogers” and the cast perform a medley of the show’s opening number WILL-A-MANIA and FAVORITE SON.
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES opened on Broadway in 1991 at the Palace Theatre running for 33 previews and 981 regular performances. Under the direction and choreography by Tommy Tune, the cast was led by…..
Keith Carradine (later Mac Davis and Larry Gatlin) as “Will Rogers”,
Dee Hoty (later Nancy Ringham) as “Betty Blake”,
Cady Huffman (later Marla Maples, Susan Anton, Lisa Niemi, and Kimberley Hester) as “Ziegfeld’s Favorite”,
Dick Latessa (later Robert Fitch and Mickey Rooney) as “Clem Rogers”,
And more.
The show was nominated for 11 Tony Awards that year. It took home 6 including BEST MUSICAL. It also won 2 Drama Desks for OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY and OUTSTANDING MUSIC.
THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES later embarked on several National Tours. No revival or other companies around the world have put on this musical lately. Hopefully, there is a revival down the line somewhere.
How high kicking was that performance?!!!!

NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: # 45 – THE SOUND OF MUSIC

by | Aug 12, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

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HELLO BROADWAY FANS! Just another morning of waking up to our favorite show tunes as we continue to get closer to Broadway’s biggest night of the year. The 74th Annual Tony Awards is only 45 DAYS AWAY!!!. Your friendly neighborhood guides at New York Broadway Tours are continuing to get us hyped plus celebrating the return of Live Theatre with our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Are you ready for more Broadway favorites?!!!
At # 45 on our countdown, we have an iconic musical that is very special to the world. You may consider it as one of our FAVORITE THINGS. We are about to take you to Austria in the year of 1938 at the time of the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany (a.k.a. The Anschluss). It mainly centers on a young woman who is sent to the home of a widowed and retired naval officer becoming the governess to his seven children After bringing love and music into family’s lives, she marries the officer, gets together with the children, and helps them finds a way to survive the loss of their homeland. Yup, THE HILLS ARE ALIVE forever and for always with The Sound Of Music. The musical features a renowned score by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II (marking it the last together before his death) and a book by Howard Lindsay and Robert Crouse. It’s based on the real life 1949 memoir by the real Maria Von Trapp entitled THE STORY OF THE TRAPP FAMILY SINGERS.
From the 1998 telecast, the recently late Rebecca Luker as “Maria Von Trapp”, Michael Siberry as Captain von Trapp, Patti Cohenhour as “Mother Abyss”, and the cast of that recent Broadway revival perform a medley of 3 of the musical’s notable Rodgers & Hammerstein’s anthems including CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN, DO-RE-MI, and the titular song itself THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
The Sound of Music was first conceived in 1956. After watching a German film about the life of the Von Trapp Family Singers, stage director Vincent J. Donehue envisioned it as a musical written for Broadway star Mary Martin. Producers Leland Hayward and Richard Halliday (Martin’s husband) agreed. Originally, it was developed as a straight play written by the playwriting team of Howard Lindsay and Robert Crouse. It would include music from the real Von Trapp family’s singing repertoire plus adding 2 original songs by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (who already were huge with many of their hits including OKLAHOMA!, Carousel, The King and I, and South Pacific). However, the whole team agreed in the end that the story should be a full-scale original musical. From there, the work began. Rodgers & Hammerstein along with Lindsay and Crouse started researching more about the era of the story. Facts on the Von Trapp’s family history was altered including the musical’s climactic dramatic ending where they all walk up the Austrian mountains to Switzerland on foot.
The show had its world premiere out-of-town tryout in October 1959 in New Haven, CT. After a brief 8 performance engagement, it then made its way to Boston, MA the following month.
Finally in November 1959, THE SOUND OF MUSIC made its Broadway debut at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre before later transferring to the Mark Hellinger Theatre for 5 previews and 1,143 performances. It earned critical acclaim and rave reviews. Under the direction of Vincent J. Donehue, the cast was led by….
Mary Martin (later Martha Wright, Jeannie Carson, and Nancy Dussault) as “Maria Rainer Von Trapp”,
Theofore Bikel (later Donald Scott) as “Captain George von Trapp”,
Patricia Neway (later Lizabeth Pritchett and Elizabeth Howell) as “Mother Abyss”,
Marion Marlowe (later Lois Hunt) as “Elsa Schraeder”,
Kurt Kasznar as “Max Detweiler”,
Brian Davies as “Rolf Gruber”,
Lauri Peters as “Liesl Von Trapp”,
And more.
The original production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC was nominated for 9 Tony Awards in 1960. It took home 5 including BEST MUSICAL and BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Mary Martin).
THE SOUND OF MUSIC would also be a very bittersweet show especially for the legacy of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Just 9 months after the show opened on Broadway, Oscar Hammerstein II tragically passed away of Stomach Cancer at his home in Doylestown, PA. He was just 65 years old. The very last song he ever wrote with Richard Rodgers was the musical’s haunting anthem EDELWEISS during rehearsals.
With the success of the original production, THE SOUND OF MUSIC went on to CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN around the world. The show debuted overseas in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre where it beat Broadway, running the longest for 2, 385 performances. It would later be revived there TWICE both in 1981 at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and then recently in 2006 at The London Palladium (produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and included a reality show to help find a newcomer for the role of “Maria”).
THE SOUND OF MUSIC was last revived here on Broadway in 1998. It played the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre) for 38 previews and 533 regular performances. Under the direction of Susan H. Schulman, the cast was led by….
The late Rebecca Luker (later Laura Benanti) as “Maria Rainer Von Trapp”,
Michael Siberry (later Richard Chamberlain and Dennis Parlato) as “Captain Georg von Trapp”,
Patti Cohenhour (later Jeanne Lehmann) as “Mother Abyss”,
Jan Maxwell (later Kay McClelland) as “Elsa Schraeder”,
Fred Applegate (later Patrick Quinn and Lenny Wolpe) as “Max Detweiler”,
Dashiell Eaves (later Ben Schaeffer) as “Rolf Gruber”,
Sara Zelle as “Liesl Von Trapp”,
And more.
That recent 1998 revival was nominated for only 1 Tony Award that year for BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL. However, it lost the category.
Today, THE SOUND OF MUSIC continues to be performed all around the world. It has been done in schools, community, regional theaters, several touring productions around the world, and even various concert productions.
One of the show’s notable concert versions happened in the Big Apple back in 2012. It was held as a one night only production at New York’s famed Carnegie Halll. Under the direction of Gary Griffin, the cast was led by….
Laura Osnes as “Maria Rainer Von Trapp”,
Tony Goldwyn as “Captain Georg von Trapp”,
Stephanie Blythe as “Mother Abyss”,
Brooke Shields as “Elsa Schraeder”,
Patrick Page as “Max Detweiler”,
Nick Spangler as “Rolf Gruber”,
Mary Michael Patterson as “Liesl Von Trapp”,
And more.
Along with its success on stage, THE SOUND OF MUSIC was captured 3 TIMES on film. The first version is the legendary original movie that we all know in love from 20th Century Studios released in 1965. Costing $1.25 million for the licensing to produce the film, it went on to become one of the highest grossing films of all time surpassing 1939’s GONE WITH THE WIND breaking records in 90 different countries. The movie itself was known for filming BOTH in Los Angeles, CA and on location in Salzburg, Austria itself. Under the direction of Robert Wise, the cast legendary starred….
Julie Andrews as “Maria Rainer Von Trapp”,
Christopher Plummer (with Bill Lee’s singing voice) as “Captain Georg von Trapp”,
Peggy Wood as “Mother Abyss”,
Eleanor Parker as “Elsa Schraeder”,
Richard Haydyn as “Max Detweiler”,
Daniel Truhitte as “Rolf Gruber”,
Charmian Carr as “Liesl Von Trapp”,
And more.
The film went on to win various Awards including 2 Golden Globes and 5 Oscars….taking home the top prize for BEST PICTURE.
Today the original movie is still popular in households. It’s shown on Television TWICE a year including on ABC and Freeform both a week before Christmas and Easter.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC’s previous times on screen happened TWICE as successful live televised productions. This was a huge stomping ground as TV was starting to bring back the old holiday tradition from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s of doing live televised productions of classic Broadway musicals.
The first LIVE TV version of the musical happened here in the States back in 2012 on NBC. Filmed live on soundstage in Long Island, NY, directed by Rob Ashford and Beth McCarthy Miller plus produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, it featured an all-star cast of stage, screen, and music favorites plus newcomers. The cast was led by….
Carrie Underwood as “Maria Rainer Von Trapp”,
Stephen Moyer as “Captain Georg von Trapp”,
Audra McDonald as “Mother Abyss”,
Laura Benanti (alumni of the 1998 revival) as “Elsa Schraeder”,
Christian Borle as “Max Detweiler”,
Michael Campayano as “Rolf Gruber”,
Ariane Reinhart as “Liesl Von Trapp”,
And more.
At first when this NBC Live production was announced, there was some backlash and controversy over the casting of Carrie Underwood as “Maria”. Mainly known from American Idol and being one of the most successful country singers, a lot of people (including still alive members of the original Von Trapp family believed) she didn’t have that Musical Theater training taking on an iconic role. However with advice from Julie Andrews, Underwood gave it her all wowing viewers with her performance. Reviews on the production were mixed.
NBC’S THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE was seen by 18.62 million viewers during that holiday season. It also went on to be nominated for several Emmy Awards in 2013 taking home 1 for OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO CONTROL FOR A MINI SERIES, MOVIE OR SPECIAL.
3 years later, the UK did their own live televised version of the musical. This version was aired on the British channel ITV in December of 2015. Filmed live on a soundstage in London and directed by Coky Giedroyc and Richard Valentine, this cast was led by…
Kara Tointon as “Maria Rainer Von Trapp”,
Julian Ovendon as “Captain Georg von Trapp”,
Maria Friedman as “Mother Abyss”,
Katherine Kelly as “Elsa Schraeder”,
Alexander Armstrong as “Max Detweiler”,
Jon Tracy as “Rolf Gruber”,
Evelyn Hoskins as “Liesl Von Trapp”,
And more.
This version was in the UK with 3.82 million viewers. In addition, this UK version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC would eventually be seen here in the US on PBS as part of its Award winning Great Performances series.
The spirit and legacy of THE SOUND OF MUSIC still lives on!!
Isn’t this musical so timeless?!!

52nd TONY AWARDS THE SOUND OF MUSIC – YouTube

NYBT TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN: # 46 – SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

by | Aug 11, 2021 | Antoinette (Tony) Awards, Blog, Broadway, News, Shows

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RISE & SHINE BROADWAY FANS! The 74th Annual Tony Awards is just 46 DAYS AWAY. With anticipation in the air for both Broadway’s biggest night and the return of Musical Theater returning home to the Great Bright Way, we at New York Broadway Tours continue to serenade you with previously highlighted performances from previous telecasts on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. It’s truly the happiest for us to celebrate the world of The Arts and what makes New York City the greatest.
Speaking of art, our selection at # 46 on our countdown is a celebration of making art a reality. We take you to an art studio following the life of a famous painter in the process of creating his most signature masterpiece of them all….. Through a fictional and inspirational way. We are talking about spending Sunday in the Park with George. With a legendary score by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, the musical is inspired by the French pointillist painter Georges Seurat’s famous painting entitled A SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON THE ISLAND OF LA GRANDE JATTE.
From the 1984 telecast, Tony winning legends Mandy Patinkin as “Georges Seurat” and Bernadette Peters as “Dot” along with the full cast performs one of the musical’s most powerful, colorful, and spiritual songs SUNDAY.
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE’s journey to the stage originally began in 1981. After a disappointing and scathing critical reception of his previous musical Merrily We Roll Along (which closed after 16 performances), Stephen Sondheim was preparing to give up Musical Theater. However, it took a little reassurance from writer James Lapine. One day, the duo made multiple visits to the Art Institute of Chicago studying one of the most iconic paintings of all…. Georges Seurat’s A SUNDAY AFTERNOON ON THE ISLAND OF LA GRANDE JATTE. The idea was to show him that what makes art happen is the artist themselves. After doing some research on Seurat’s life, Sondheim and Lapine decided to make their musical project fictional. As a fictional piece inspired by Seurat’s life, it would be a celebration of the meditation of art, emotional connection and community.
While still being developed, the show had its world premiere OFF-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in the Summer of 1983 running for only 25 performances. Under the direction of James Lapine, the cast was led by…..
Mandy Patinkin as “Georges Seurat”
And
Bernadette Peters as “Dot”.
FUN FACT: The original OFF Broadway Ensemble had some notable familiar faces that have gone on to become successful stars on Broadway, Film, and TV consisting of Kelsey Grammar, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Christine Baranski. However, they did not continue when the show would eventually go to Broadway.
For SUNDAY’s OFF Broadway run, the audience was able to experience the changes and updates of what was going on with the show being developed. Initially for its first 22 shows, the show was performed with only its FIRST ACT. The final 3 shows of its run were done with both ACT 1 and ACT 2. One of its earliest audience members was the legendary Leonard Bernstein who raved about the musical. It eventually would take the big jump ON Broadway.
After some tweaking and updates, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE made the move ON Broadway the following year of 1984. It played the Booth Theatre for 35 previews and 605 regular performances. With the same creative team, the cast was led by….
Mandy Patinkin (later Robert Westenberg, Cris Groenendaal, and Harry Groener) as “Georges Seurat”
and
Bernadette Peters (later Joanna Glushak, Betsy Joslyn, and Maryann Plunkett as “Dot”.
The original production earned mixed reviews but its powerful and haunting score and story plus the cast were all praised.
The original SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE would go on to be nominated for 10 Tony Awards that same year. It would go on to win 2 Technical Awards that evening for BEST SCENIC DESIGN and BEST LIGHTING DESIGN. However, it did earn top honors from other Award shows including the Drama Desk (winning 8 including OUTSTANDING MUSICAL), The New York Drama Critic Circle Award (being the recipient for BEST MUSICAL). In addition, the show went on to win the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama (given to Sondheim and Lapine) making history as one of the few musicals ever to get this honor.
With its life after Broadway, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE went on to inspire audiences around the world with its 1991 debut in London’s West End playing the National Theatre for 117 performances, It was led by….
Phillip Quast as “Georges Seurat”
And
Maria Friedman as “Dot”.
That London debut would also go on to be nominated for 6 Olivier Awards taking home 2 including the big prize for BEST NEW MUSICAL. In addition, the show also took home a BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Phillip Quast).
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE would eventually make a full circle return to both London and our New York Theater scene (TWICE).
The show was revived first in London back in 2005 playing the Menier Chocolate Factory for a 5 month run back in 2005 and won 5 Olivier Awards (including OUTSTANDING MUSICAL PRODUCTION). It was a huge smash, the production transferred overseas to our New York backyard and back on Broadway in 2008. Produced here in the Big Apple by Roundabout Theatre Company, it played Studio 54 for a limited engagement for 32 previews and 149 regular performances. Under the direction of Sam Buntrock, this cast both in London and New York were led by….
Daniel Evans as “Georges Seurat”
and
Jenna Russell as “Dot”.
The 2008 Broadway revival would go to be nominated that same year for 9 Tony Awards including BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL. However, it lost all of its categories. It did however get other Awards here including several Technical Awards from the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards.
The most recent revival of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE here in the Big Apple happened in 2016. It was performed as a 4 night only concert production at New York City Center as part of its annual GALA staged productions of popular Broadway hits. Thanks to its unforgettable reception, this concert staging transferred to Broadway the following year of 2017. It reopened the newly renovated and updated Hudson Theatre (marking it the first time it was used as a Broadway Theater in 54 YEARS) running for a limited engagement of 11 previews and 61 regular performances. Under the direction of Sarna Lapine, the cast was led by….
Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal as “Georges Seurat”
and
Tony winner Annaleigh Ashford as “Dot”.
With the production being a limited engagement and so many new shows that were coming at the time, this recent Broadway revival of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE withdrew themselves from competing in that year’s Tony Awards.
This recent revival of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE was also expecting to make its way overseas to London’s West End for a limited engagement (with both Gyllenhaal and Ashford reprising their performances) at the Savoy Theatre in 2020. However, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expecting to reschedule its run at a time to-be-announced.
Today, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE continues to inspire audiences with its powerful story of art around the world. It’s been performed in schools, community, and regional theaters. Plus, there have been multiple concert stagings as well.
Isn’t this musical truly a love letter to art?!!