Patrick Graver and Jessica Ernest play the roles originated by Fred and Adele Astaire in a revival of the 1927 George and Ira Gershwin musical Funny Face, being presented as part of the Musicals Tonight! series that presents rarely-seen Broadway shows at the Lion Theatre Off-Broadway.
It is offered October 18-30 with a cast that also includes Caitlin Wilayto, Whitney Winfield, Seth Danner, Blake Spellacy, Bill Bateman, Edward Tolve, Doug Jabara, Christian Brown, Kacie Burns, Caleb Dicke, Giulia Dunes, Briana Fallon, Parker Krug, Andrea Weinzierl, and Kyle White.
The score of Funny Face includes the Gershwin standards “‘S Wonderful,” “My One and Only,” “He Loves and She Loves,” “The Babbitt and the Bromide,” “Let's Kiss and Make Up,” and “High Hat.”
The creative team for Funny Face includes director/choreographer Casey Colgan, music director/vocal arranger James Stenborg, casting director Holly Buczek, and company manager Devin Vogel. Funny Face has been adapted several times over the years. The 1983 Broadway musical My One and Only used several of the songs, but had a different plot, as did the 1957 film titled Funny Face that starred Fred Astaire.
The Musicals Tonight! series will continue through April 2017 with rarely produced American musicals Louisiana Purchase, Mr. Wonderful and DuBarry Was a Lady, plus the world premiere of Noel Coward's Hoi Polloi.
Hoi Polloi, November 1-13
Hoi Polloi has music, lyrics, and libretto by Noel Coward. It was planned for production in 1949 but never saw opening night. Some of its songs were subsequently used in Coward’s Ace of Clubs and Sail Away. This world-premiere production was adapted by Barry Day.
Louisiana Purchase, February 28-March 12, 2017
Louisiana Purchase has music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and satirizes Louisiana Governor Huey Long. The ballets were originally staged by George Balanchine. Songs: “Sex Marches On”; “You’re Lonely and I’m Lonely”; “Latins Know How”; “Outside of That I Love You”; “Fools Fall in Love.”
Mr. Wonderful, March 14-26
Mr. Wonderful was written specifically to showcase the talents of Sammy Davis, Jr. The cast also featured Chita Rivera. This is the show’s first revival. Songs include: “Too Close for Comfort”; ”Mr. Wonderful”; “Without You, I'm Nothing”; “I'm Available”; “Ethel, Baby.”
Du Barry Was a Lady, March 28-April 9
Du Barry Was a Lady (1939) has music and lyrics by Cole Porter and starred Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, and Betty Grable. In 1943, the musical was made into a movie starring Red Skelton, Lucille Ball and Gene Kelly. Songs include “Friendship”; “Well, Did You Evah!”; “Give Him the Ooh-La-La”; “It Ain't Etiquette”; “But in the Morning, No!”; “Katie Went to Haiti.” The story is about a washroom attendant who dreams he’s a king and irresistible to women.
Tickets cost $27.25 and can be ordered via Telecharge at (212) 239-6200.
