Next May, the audience will applaud Hugh Jackman during one of Broadway’s first long-awaited curtain calls when the rebirth of Meredith Willson The music man it opens
Producers Scott Rudin, Barry Diller and David Geffen announced today (June 24) that the show will begin with advances on April 7, 2021 and will open on May 20, 2021 at the Winter Garden Theater. Rehearsals will begin on February 8. Tony, Grammy, and award-winning Emmy actor Hugh Jackman will play Professor Harold Hill alongside two-time Tony Sutton Foster Award winner Marian Paroo in the 1957 musical.
“Acting on Broadway is a great honor for an actor; in fact, one of the best. No two shows are exactly alike, largely because of the audience,” Jackman said in a press release. “Show One is full of anticipation, fear and excitement. It’s like an opening night eight times a week; the energy in the theater is palpable. It’s those same feelings that happen in every show from then on, and you and I’m going through that together. Changing dates won’t eliminate any of that. What it will do, though, is help ensure that The music man The public and our company are in a completely safe environment. I can’t wait for that day! “
The production, directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, also stars award-winning actors Tony Jayne Houdyshell as Mrs. Shinn, Jefferson Mays as Mayor Shinn, Marie Mullen as Mrs. Paroo and Shuler Hensley as Marcellus Washburn.
“Obviously we are deeply disappointed that we cannot start rehearsals for The music man As planned. But security is security, and it has to take precedence over any other consideration, both for our audience and for our company, “Rudin said in the statement.” Despite the delay, we remain united as a company and are thankful to be able to do so. And then we hope to get to The Winter Garden, with a beautiful and encouraging Musical man in early April, and being just one part of what we hope will be once again a vibrant and exciting Broadway. “
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo abruptly closed Broadway theaters on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. What was originally anticipated as a one-month lockdown period has been extended to at least Labor Day. Broadway producers began offering rebates and exchanges for all tickets purchased for shows until September 6.
The music man Ticket holders who made their purchase online at Telecharge.com or Broadway.com will automatically be contacted with instructions on exchanges, while those who purchased tickets at the physical box office should contact Telecharge Customer Services.
The music man joins two productions of Lincoln Center Theater, the Broadway musical directed by James Lapine Flying over the sunset and the Off-Broadway production of a new opera Underwear, ready to reopen next spring. Official dates for both shows have yet to be announced.
