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 (who acted in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, The Lion King) recreates his starring role as Cagney, along with original cast members (42nd Street), (Annie), (Company), (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 , whom Cagney played in a film bio: 鈥淕ive My Regards to Broadway,鈥� 鈥淵ou鈥檙e A Grand Old Flag鈥� and 鈥淵ankee Doodle Dandy.鈥�
The stage musical is directed by Bill Castellino (Storyville, Jolson) with choreography by (, , )
Cagney, according to production notes, 鈥渇ollows 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 鈥� sing, dance, play the bad guy, the good guy, the patriot, the gangster; Broadway鈥檚 Robert Creighton leads a cast of six in this exciting new musical.鈥�
The creative team also includes (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 聽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
