Lee Roy Reams (Tony nominee for 42nd Street), Jane Summerhays (Tony nominee for Me and My Girl), Diane J. Findlay (Fish in the Dark), Neva Small (Fiddler on the Roof), and Don Johanson (Jelly’s Last Jam) have joined the 40th Anniversary concert of BALLROOM, the 1978 Tony nominated musical, at Feinstein’s/54 Below on Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00pm.
They join the previously announced Loni Ackerman (Evita, Cats), Klea Blackhurst (Merman’s Apprentice, Party Face), Jim Brochu(Zero Hour), Natalie Douglas (MAC Award winner, The People Vs Mona), Penny Fuller (Applause, Sunday in the Park with George), Carol Lawrence (West Side Story, I Do! I Do!), Patti Mariano (The Music Man, Bye Bye Birdie), Marilyn Maye (MAC Award winner, The Tonight Show), Jill O’Hara (Promises, Promises), Steve Schalchlin (The Last Session), Jim Walton (Merrily We Roll Along), Lennie Watts (MAC Award Winner, The Music Man), and Debbie Zecher (Broadway Bible).
The concert will also have a special appearance by BALLROOM’S composer, Billy Goldenberg, as well as songs that were cut from the original production.
Receiving eight Tony Award nominations, BALLROOM opened at the Majestic Theatre in 1978 and played 116 performances. The score was written by Marilyn and Alan Bergman and Billy Goldenberg and the book was by Jerome Kass. It featured direction and choreography by Michael Bennett. BALLROOM is based off of the 1975 TV movie Queen of the Stardust Ballroom which starred Maureen Stapleton and Charles Durning.
BALLROOM features such songs as “Fifty Percent,” “A Terrific Band,” “Somebody Did Alright For Herself,” and “I Wish You A Waltz.”
54 SINGS BALLROOM will be directed and produced by Robert W. Schneider. The show will be music directed by Joshua Zecher-Ross. The associate producer will be Benjamin Nissen.
Schneider said, “BALLROOM features one of the musical theatre’s most touching scores and celebrates those who are trying to rebuild their hearts after a great loss. The show’s original production was celebrated for its stunning Michael Bennett choreography and now we will be shifting the spotlight to the show’s magnificent score as well as a few songs that were cut in the show’s tryout period.”
Tickets, starting at $30, are still available. In addition to the ticket price, there is food and beverage minimum of $25.00 54 SINGS BALLROOM tickets can be purchased at 54below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.