Broadway Opening: THE TAP DANCE KID; THE LIFE; INTO THE WOODS (Encores! at New York City Center)

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by Gregory Bernard on December 23, 2021

in Theater-New York

New York City Center’s 2022 Encores! season has been announced and — starting at $35 — tickets are now on sale. You can purchase online at NYCityCenter, by calling 212.581.1212, or at the City Center Box Office. New York City Center is located at 131 W 55th St between Sixth and Seventh avenues.

The next chapter of the Tony-honored series, led by Encores! Artistic Director  Lear deBessonet,  Encores! Producing Creative Director  Clint Ramos, and Encores! Music Director  Rob Berman, opens February 2 – 6, 2022 with the 1983 Tony-nominated musical  The Tap Dance Kid. Led by Tony Award-winning director  Kenny Leon, the musical tells  the story of Willie, a 10-year-old boy from an upper-middle-class Black family, who dreams of becoming a professional tap dancer, despite his father’s disapproval.  Cast member from the  original Broadway production  Dulé Hill  joins the production as Dipsey, Willie’s uncle and mentor. With music  by  Henry Krieger; lyrics by  Robert Lorick; and book by  Charles Blackwell, based on the novel  Nobody’s Family is Going to Change  by  Louise Fitzhugh; the production features new tap sequences by choreographer  Jared Grimes  and  concert  adaptation  by  Lydia Diamond. Broadway’s  Joseph Joubert  will music direct.

Following is the twelve-time Tony-nominated musical  The Life, March 16 – 20. Helmed by Emmy and Tony Award-winner  Billy Porter, the production  includes cast member from the original Broadway production  Chuck Cooper  as Old Jojo,  Grammy-nominee  Mykal Kilgore  as Young JoJo, Grammy Award-winner  Ledisi  as Sonja,  and  Ken Robinson  as Fleetwood. Porter reclaims this musical as the  production’s adapter and director to bring forth the gritty, dangerous, and exciting decadence of 1980s New York City  and an authenticity to the lives of sex workers.  With  music by  Cy Coleman, lyrics by  Ira Gasman, and book by  David Newman, Ira Gasman, and Cy Coleman, the production features choreography by  Tony-nominated choreographer  and Encores!  Creative Advisor  Camille A. Brown.

The third show in the series,  Stephen Sondheim  and  James Lapine’s beloved musical  Into the Woods, directed by  Lear deBessonet  will feature Grammy Award-winner  Sara Bareilles  as the Baker’s Wife,  Christian Borle  as the Baker,  Heather Headley  as the Witch, and  Ashley Park  as Cinderella. The special two-week run, from May 4 – 15, ushers in a new annual tradition at Encores! celebrating an iconic American musical.  These productions bring together Broadway’s brightest stars with a multi-generational group, including New York City public school students, to highlight the ways theater connects us across generations.  Into the Woods  features choreography by  film and television’s  Jamal Sims  (film:  Aladdin)  and  Encores! Music Director  Rob Berman.

The  Spring Gala | Encores!  Into the Woods  will take place on the opening night, May 4, and includes a benefit dinner with the cast and creative team at The Plaza Hotel. Gala packages are on sale now starting at $2,500. For additional details, contact  [email protected]  or call 212.763.1205.

THE TAP DANCE KIDFeb 2 – 6, 2022Wed  – Fri 7:30pm;  Sat 2 & 8pm; Sun 2 & 7pm

Music by  Henry Krieger  Lyrics by  Robert  Lorick  Book by  Charles Blackwell  Based on the novel  Nobody’s Family is Going to Change  by  Louise Fitzhugh  Concert  Adaptation by  Lydia Diamond  Choreography by  Jared Grimes  Guest  Music Director  Joseph  Joubert  Directed by  Kenny Leon

Featuring  Dulé Hill

’”

THE LIFEMar 16 – 20, 2022Wed  – Fri 7:30pm;  Sat 2 & 8pm; Sun 2 & 7pm

Music by  Cy Coleman  Lyrics by  Ira Gasman  Book by  David Newman,  Ira Gasman, and  Cy Coleman  Choreography by  Camille A. Brown    Adapted and directed by  Billy Porter

Featuring  Chuck Cooper,  Mykal  Kilgore,  Ledisi, and  Ken Robinson

’”

INTO THE WOODS

Special two-week run

May 4 – 15, 2022    Week 1: Wed 6pm  (Spring Gala), Thu & Fri 7pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 2 & 7pmWeek 2: Tue – Fri 7pm*, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 2pm

Music and lyrics by  Stephen Sondheim  Book by  James  Lapine  Choreography by  Jamal Sims  Music Director  Rob Berman  Directed by  Lear deBessonet

Featuring  Sara Bareilles,  Christian  Borle,  Heather Headley, and  Ashley Park

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