42nd Street (China)
Chinese tour of 42nd STREET with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music from Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, and orchestrations by Philip J. Lang. 42nd STREET is the American dream come true story of Peggy Sawyer, a naive chorus girl-turned-overnight sensation on Broadway in the 1930s.
I developed the markets and laid the foundation for the first ever China tour of a Broadway musical with a 14 city introductory advance trip along with our local presenter and representatives of the Ministry of Culture, to introduce the concept and brand of Broadway, and execute letters of intent to present the show. In some cities, at impromptu press conferences, I stood on tables and sang “The Lullaby of Broadway” a capella. Additionally, I worked with scenic shops and costume shops to plan for local build of physical production. I further led the technical advance with the line producer Randall A. Buck, production manager Geoffrey Quart and the show producing creative team members.
The Troika Asia Inc and Broadway Asia Entertainment produced show, directed by Mark Bramble, choreographed by Rick Conant & Randy Skinner, sets designed by James Fouchar, costumes designed by Roger Kirk, lighting design by Rick Belzer, sound design by Duncan Robert Edwards and musical direction by Jeff Rizzo, opened at the Majestic Theatre in Shanghai on September 5, 2007 and ultimately only toured 6 other cities presented by Nederlander New Century International Theater Management Company with Chinese partners include Beijing Time New Century Entertainment & Beijing Oriental Broadway International Theatre Management Company jointly with SMEG Performing Arts Center Shanghai Arts Group in a strategic alliance with the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation. Nederlander New Century International Theater Management Company / Beijing Oriental Broadway International Theatre Management Company received strategic investments from AIG Life Holdings (International), LLC, and Ticketmaster.
Starring Kristen Martin (Peggy Sawyer), Paul Gregory Nelson (Julian Marsh), Charles MacEachern (Billy Lawlor), Natalie Buster (Dorothy Brock), Karen McDonald (Maggie Jones), Lew Lloyd (Abner Dillon), Ira Denmark (Bert Barry), Rockford Sansom (Pat Denning), Chris Clay (Andy Lee), Veronica DiPerna (Anytime Annie), Rob Ouellette (Oscar / Ensemble), Somer Adams (Ensemble), Kristi Ambrosetti (Diane Lorimer / Ensemble), Liz Baumgartner (Ensemble), Anne Bloemendal (Ensemble), Trenton Clark (Ensemble), Lani Corson (Lorraine Fleming), Katie Jean Emmerson (Ensemble), Kevin Field (Ensemble), Geoffrey Goldberg (Ensemble), Brittney Griffin (Ensemble), Trina Josdal (Ensemble), Elise Kinnon (Ensemble), Felix LaBella III (Ensemble), Kimberly Lemieux (Ensemble), Lauren Linville (Ensemble), Ashley Peacock (Ensemble / Gladys), Julie Rees (Phyllis Dale), Lanae Rhodes (Ensemble), Alexis Thebolt (Ensemble), Traci Victoria (Ensemble),Richard Riaz Yoder (Ensemble), Abby Church (Phyllis Dale: from November 1, 2007), Taryn Molnar (Ensemble: from November 1, 2007), Candice Pennefather (Ensemble: from November 1, 2007), Susan Grady (Ensemble: from November 1, 2007), Kelly Skidmore (Ensemble: from November 1, 2007), Becca Kloha (Ensemble: from November 1, 2007), Beverly Jensen (Ensemble: from November 1, 2007), Bianca Burgess (Ensemble), Tyler Albright (Ensemble) and Salli Melfi (Ensemble).
SWINGS & Co-Dance Captains: Darren Donahue & Christine Walsh
UNDERSTUDIES: Kristi Ambrosetti, Geoffrey Goldberg. Rockford Sansom
ORCHESTRA: Associate Musical Director & Piano Nicholas A, Degregorio, Woodwinds: Dave Noland/Tom Colclough, Michel Gohler, P.J. Perry, Shane Nestruck; Horns: Vasyl Ivachevskyi, Trumpet: Mike Herriott, Kent Wallace, Trombone: Dave Grott. Guitar/Banio: Nicklas Dickerson, Upright Bass: Jason Guerra, Drums: Paul Hannah, Music Coordinator: Sam Lutfiyya/Talitha Fehr (Music Services International)
As Executive Producer & Senior Vice President of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment LLC since 2000, a New York division of the Nederlander Organization charged with international development of theatrical markets, venues and shows.
The tour included:
- Shanghai (Sept.5th—Sept.23rd – 23 performances)
- Hangzhou (Sept.27th—Sept.30th – 4-6 performances)
- Nanjing (Oct.4th—Oct.8th – 5-7 performances)
- Hefei (Oct.12th——Oct.14th – 3-5 performances)
- Ningbo (Oct.18th—Oct.22nd – 5-7 performances)
- Wuhan (Nov.3rd—Nov.8th – 6-8 performances)
- Beijing (Nov.13th—Nov.18th – 6-8 performances)
42nd Street China Tour
Production photos of the China tour by John Zhang
