STAGE: The Scottsboro Boys (closes 4/18)

image

From the legendary songwriting team of KANDER & EBB (CABARET, CHICAGO, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS is a stirring new musical that explores the infamous 1930’s ‘Scottsboro Case’, in which a group of innocent African-American teenagers are falsely accused of a terrible crime — ultimately provoking a national outrage that sparked the American Civil Rights movement. (source)

STAGE: Finian's Rainbow @ St. James Theater

With a sparkling score of beloved standards and a whimsical story that dances between romance, satire and fairy tale, FINIAN'S RAINBOW is a musical theater treasure.

Set in the mythical southern state of Missitucky, FINIAN'S RAINBOW pits a charming Irish dreamer and his headstrong daughter against the host of complications that await them in their newly adopted land: a bigoted southern Senator, a credit crisis, a pesky leprechaun and, of course, a complicated love affair that gives birth to some of the most witty, charming and heartfelt songs ever written for the stage.

A blend of romantic fantasy and social commentary, the classic musical Finian's Rainbow follows the adventures of an Irishman and his daughter who hope to strike it rich in America, using a pot of gold stolen from a leprechaun. The score by E.Y. Harburg and Burton Lane includes "How Are Things in Glocca Morra," "Old Devil Moon," "Look to the Rainbow" and "If This Isn't Love," among others. (source)

Finian's Rainbow is in previews now @ the St. James Theater and will open 10/29.

STAGE: Memphis The Musical

Previews begin today (9/23) at the Shubert Theatre for Memphis: TURN UP THAT DIAL! From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, by way of hit runs at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, comes a hot new Broadway musical - inspired by actual events - with heart, soul and energy to burn. He's a young, white radio DJ named Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball), whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. She's a black singer named Felicia Farrell (Montego Glover), whose career is on the rise, but who can't break out of segregated clubs. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock 'n' roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music - or their love - is put to the test. (source)