On the Twentieth Century: First Neglected Musical for 2012.

The first production for 2012 from Sydney-based Neglected Musicals will be On The Twentieth Century, with book and Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and  music by Cy Coleman, based on plays by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur and Bruce Millholland. (By arrangement with Origin Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French Inc.)

Neglected Musicals is pleased to announce the Tony Award winning On The Twentieth Century as the next Neglected Musicals presentation. Directed by Stuart Maunder with Musical Director Luke Byrne, On the Twentieth Century is to be presented on Monday 5 March at 2pm and 8pm at the Darlinghurst Theatre.

The cast features John Diedrich, Katrina Retallick, Michael Falzon, Lara Mulcahy, Blake Ericson, Mark Simpson, Jay James Moody and Elise McCann, with Erica Byrne, Jocelyn O'Brien, Tim Dal Cortivo and Richard Woodhouse.

On The Twentieth Century opened on Broadway in 1978 under the direction of Harold Prince and starred John cullum, Madeline Kahn, Imogene Coca and Kevin Kline. It ran for 11 previews and 449 performances and had a production on the West End in 1980, which ran for 165 performances. 

“This is one of my favourite shows,” said Stuart Maunder.  “On The Twentieth Century is such a fun show and it will be wonderful to see this Cy Coleman musical on its feet after all these years.”

Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur’s 1932 showbusiness farce, Twentieth Century was turned into a musical where most of the action takes place aboard a train - the Twentieth Century Limited, as it speeds from Chicago to New York. Producer/ Director Oscar Jaffee, the flamboyant high priest of Broadway is now in desperate straits and makes a last ditch effort to rise again by signing tempestuous movie star Lily Garland to act in his next epic.

On the Twentieth Century was the recipient of the 1978 Tony Award for Best Book and Best Original Score. Songs include On The Twentieth Century, I Rise Again, Veronique, Never and Babbette.

“Im so pleased to have Stuart and Luke back for another Neglected Musical they are a great team, said producer Michelle Guthrie. “We are in the final stages of casting the show.”

Neglected Musicals is an initiative dedicated to presenting musical theatre that has never (or rarely) been seen in Australia, whether it be that the musicals were not considered commercial enough for an Australian season or they just didn’t get picked up by an Australian producer. A musical chosen to be presented by Neglected Musicals may have had a long run on Broadway and the West End but never made it to Australia or may have had a short run off Broadway to critical acclaim but didn’t go any further for one of a hundred reasons. It may even have been a financial flop overseas but have artistic merit and worth a look.

Neglected Musicals presents a reading of a chosen show with scripts in hand, with the musical numbers sung through, after only a few rehearsals. Although the presentations do not have set or costume design – there are some design elements.

Neglected Musicals is not for profit, where the participants are volunteers.  All proceeds from ticket sales fund the next Neglected Musical.

Bookings via the neglected musicals website www.neglectedmusicals.com.au or by calling 0487 436 709

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