The New London Barn Playhouse invites you to the Great White Way in its heyday with the timeless classic 42nd Street, running July 18 – August 5, 7:30PM with Wednesday matinee performances at 2 PM and Sunday matinee performances at 5PM.
Based on the Bradford Ropes novel and 1933 film of the same name, 42nd Street’s story of a star on the ascendant begins when doe eyed Peggy Sawyer arrives fresh off the bus from Allentown, PA armed with only her tap shoes and a determination to be in director Julian Marsh’s latest musical extravaganza. On her way to making her dreams come true she must contend with spiteful casting directors, would-be suitors, a collection of chorus girls with dreams of their own and another star whose grandeur is fading. When the unexpected places Peggy right where she wants to be, its anybody’s guess if she will crack under pressure or seize her moment and make her dreams a reality.
Starring in this production is a truly staggering collection of Barnies from various seasons. Ethan Watermeier* (The Secret Garden, Shakespeare Theatre Company and Theatre Under The Stars; Broadway National Tour of Les Miserables; How to Succeed…, NLBP) returns to take on the role of director Julian Marsh. Playing diva Dorothy Brock is longtime Barn favorite Serena Brook*, who most recently appeared at the barn in 2012’s The Mousetrap and is a regular performer on the NPR variety program Live from Here with Chris Thile. Edward Tolve*, who Barn fans will recognize from 2013’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor as well as White Christmas at Northern Stage, will play lovable co-producer and writer Bert Barry. Playing brash young tenor Billy Lawlor is Barnie Spencer S. Lawson* who choreographed this seasons Straw Hat Revue and was a member of the 2016 Acting Intern Company. Scott Sweatt (On Golden Pond, 2016) features as Abner Dillon, Chris Cherin (Forever Plaid, 2015) features as Pat Denning, Aiden Ankli (How to Succeed…, 2016) features as Winnie, Jaclyn Pageau (Hair, Dartmouth College) features as Gladys and Kevin Dort (West Side Story, 2017) features in the Ensemble.
The Barn is also excited to welcome back unparalleled director Robert Sella, who previously helmed Singin’ in the Rain and Damn Yankees at the Barn starred in the Broadway productions of Sylvia (2015), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2005), and the 1998 revival of Cabaret. Sella’s direction is supported by Barn newcomer Matthew J. Kilgore, reproducing Randy Skinner’s Broadway revival choreography, and sizzling musical direction from Katie Siegmund (2018’s Straw Hat Revue, 2017’s The Secret Garden), enthralling sets and lights from Matthew Imhoff (Soot and Spit; West Side Story, Carnegie Hall), and mesmerizing costumes from Barn veteran Becky Bodurtha+ (The Barn’s Singin’ in the Rain, Gypsy, among others), will be bringing us a 42nd Street that glitters and shines with the light inside the hearts of every Broadway hopeful.
Tickets start at $20 for adults and are available at nlbarn.org/tickets, by phone at 603-526-6710 or at the New London Barn Playhouse Box Office every day from 11AM – 6PM.
*Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
+Denotes membership in United Scenic Artists