The York Theatre Company's production of Cagney, the musical biography of legendary movie tough guy and dance man James Cagney, officially opens Off-Broadway April 3. Following an earlier sold-out run, the production transferred to the Westside Theatre with most of the original cast and creative team intact. Previews for the open-ended engagement began March 16.

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) recreates his starring role as Cagney, along with original cast members Jeremy Benton (42nd Street), Danette Holden (Annie), Bruce Sabath (Company), Josh Walden (Ragtime) and Ellen Zolezzi (Seussical.)

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 (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), Martha Bromelmeier (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. Larri Lelli is music coordinator for Cagney. Matt Perri serves as the show's music director.

Tickets for Cagney are priced at $89 and may be purchased by calling Telecharge: (212) 239-6200 or by visiting Telecharge.com.