{"id":100947,"date":"2023-12-19T09:50:58","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T14:50:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=100947"},"modified":"2023-12-19T09:50:58","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T14:50:58","slug":"scrutiny-mirvishs-42nd-street-non-stop-song-n-dance-joy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2023\/12\/19\/scrutiny-mirvishs-42nd-street-non-stop-song-n-dance-joy\/","title":{"rendered":"SCRUTINY | Mirvish\u2019s 42nd Street Is Non-Stop Song \u2018N\u2019 Dance Joy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The
The Company of 42nd Street, Original Cast, 2023 (Photo: Johan Persson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

David Mirvish, Jonathan Church & David Ian\/42nd Street, book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin, music by Harry Warren, choreographed by Bill Deamer, directed by Jonathan Church, (based on the 1932 Bradford Rope novel, and the 1933 film), Princess of Wales Theatre, to Jan. 21, 2024. Tickets here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

42nd Street is a joyous, non-stop song \u2018n\u2019 dance musical that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.<\/p>\n

The show is the successful stage version of the iconic 1933 movie of the same name, originally produced on Broadway by the legendary David Merrick in 1980. 42nd Street was also the first successful transfer of an original movie musical to the Broadway stage.<\/p>\n

Since then, there have been countless revivals both in New York and London, and it seems that audiences can\u2019t get enough of the wall-to-wall musical spectacle. This acclaimed production began at Sadler\u2019s Wells in July 2023, then toured the British provinces before coming to Toronto with the original all-star West End Cast, so count this a Class A show.<\/p>\n

\"Nicole-Lily
Nicole-Lily Baisden as Peggy Sawyer and Company in 42nd Street, Original Cast, 2023 (Photo: Johan Persson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Plot<\/h3>\n

The story of 42nd Street is well known because it set the template for backstage musicals.<\/p>\n

Small town girl Peggy Sawyer (Nicole-Lily Baisden) comes to New York, lands a job as a chorus girl in a new Broadway musical called Pretty Lady, and becomes a star when she replaces aging leading lady Dorothy Brock (Ruthie Henshall) when the latter breaks an ankle.<\/p>\n

At the heart of the show is the relationship between Peggy and director Julian Marsh (Adam Garcia) who rehearses her relentlessly and mercilessly when the girl has to take over Dorothy\u2019s role. His breathless line on the subject has become an icon in itself. Snarls Marsh during rehearsals: \u201cI\u2019ll either have a live leading lady, or a dead chorus girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, there are complications.<\/p>\n

Dorothy must keep her Broadway angel Abner Dillon happy (Anthony Ofoegbu), because he\u2019s the guy who put up the money for Pretty Lady, but her heart is with her true love, Pat Denning (Michael Praed), an unemployed actor. And then there\u2019s the juvenile lead, Billy Lawlor (Olly Christopher), who falls for Peggy, who, sadly for him, only wants to concentrate on her own career.<\/p>\n

The show is filled with all manner of singing and dancing roles. Maggie jones (Josefina Gabrielle) and Bert Barry (Michael Matus) are both the writers and producers of Pretty Lady. Andy Lee (Alyn Hawke) is the dance director of the show. And of course, there has to be the wisecracking, street-wise chorus girls, played by Sarah-Marie Maxwell (Anytime Annie), Briana Craig (Lorraine), and Aimee Hodnett. (Phyllis).<\/p>\n