The original production opened at the York May 28, 2015, for a limited run that sold out and was extended to five weeks. Co-writer Robert Creighton (who acted in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, The Lion King) will recreate his starring role as Cagney, bringing along original cast members Jeremy Benton (42nd Street), Danette Holden (Annie), Bruce Sabath (Company), Josh Walden (Ragtime) and Ellen Zolezzi (Seussical).
The new, open-ended production will begin previews March 16 at The Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street in Manhattan). The opening is set for April 3 matinee.
Cagney features a book by Peter Colley with music and lyrics by Creighton and Christopher McGovern. The score also includes some standards by George M. Cohan, whom Cagney played in a film bio: "Give My Regards to Broadway," "You’re A Grand Old Flag" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
The stage musical is directed by Bill Castellino (Storyville, Jolson) with choreography by Joshua Bergasse (The Nerds, On The Town, Gigi).
Cagney, according to production notes, "follows the actor from his humble beginnings in New York City's Lower East Side through his rise as a vaudeville song-and-dance man to his superstardom in Hollywood. In this insightful and surprising musical journey, a brand-new original score filled with show-stopping song and dance numbers is augmented by George M. Cohan songs. Cagney was the consummate performer who could do it all – sing, dance, play the bad guy, the good guy, the patriot, the gangster; Broadway’s Robert Creighton leads a cast of six in this exciting new musical." The creative team also includes James Morgan (sets), Chip Schoonmaker (costumes), Michael Gilliam (lighting), Janie Bullard (sound) and Mark Pirolo (projections). The production stage manager is Larry Smiglewski. Carol Hanzel is the casting director and Brierpatch Productions provides general management.
Tickets for Cagney are priced at $89 and may be purchased by calling Telecharge: (212) 239-6200 or by visiting Telecharge.com.
