Tonight marks the star-studded, red carpet Broadway opening of the revival of Finian's Rainbow. One might think the enthusiastic crowds lining the sidewalk were awaiting the arrival of rock stars or royalty. Perhaps they were.Tommy Tune, Allison Pill, Rue McLannihan, Abigal Breslin, Deborah Monk, and Mario Cantone were just a handful of the celebrities from the world of theatre, television, and film walking the red carpet outside the St. James Theatre.
Finian's Rainbow is a fictional, romantic satire that seems blessed by the luck o' the Irish. The full-stage musical tells the tale of an Irish farmer, Finian, and his headstrong daughter, Sharon, as they encounter the interesting locals in their new home, the fictional state of Missitucky.
According to the show's website:"The story and songs apply as much today as they did when they were written (Madoffs of the world, beware!). The unique and delightful story combines love, money, magic (literally—there's a leprechaun who grants wishes!), and social justice."
This revival of Finian's Rainbow has theatrephiles' tongues wagging as it is one more "big cast" show to stake its claim on the Great White Way in recent years. With the success of other revivals: West Side Story and Ragtime, Finian's Rainbow follows the format of a big cast, with memorable tunes, exquisite singing, and brilliant dancing. And if the infectious excitement on the social networking sites leading up to the opening is any indication, this show will run for quite some time.The sharp-witted book is by Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy with the showtunes penned by lyricist, Yip Harburg, and composer, Burton Lane. These three theatre writers were among the best the genre has ever seen.
"Harburg, Lane and Saidy are among the most celebrated and beloved theatrical writers of our time. Yip Harburg wrote the lyrics for “Over the Rainbow” (the American Film Institute's #1 Movie Song of All Time), Burton Lane composed “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever” and Fred Saidy wrote the book for Bloomer Girl, the first feminist, anti-slavery musical."
http://www.finiansonbroadway.com/faq.html
While the characters may be looking for the coveted pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow, the audience has already found theirs just by being witness to the stellar cast led by a creative team of Broadway veterans.Cast:
- Tony Award® winner JIM NORTON (The Seafarer) stars as Finian
- KATE BALDWIN (Wonderful Town), the headstrong daughter, Sharon
- CHEYENNE JACKSON (Xanadu) as Woody, who becomes enchanted
- CHRISTOPHER FITZGERALD (Young Frankenstein) as Og, the leprechaun.
Creative Team:
- WARREN CARLYLE - Director and Choreographer
- ROB BERMAN - Music Director
- JOHN LEE BEATTY - Set Design
- TONI-LESLIE JAMES - Costume Design
- KEN BILLINGTON - Lighting Design
- SCOTT LEHRER - Sound Design
- WENDY PARSON - Hair, Wig and Make Up Design
- TRIPP PHILLIPS - Production Stage Manager
- JASON HINDELANG - Stage Manager
All in all, the opening of "Finian's Rainbow" is another feather in the cap of Broadway, no luck or magic required.
Sources:
No comments:
Post a Comment