On the Town
Capital City Theatre
Overture Center-Capitol Theater 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Darren Lee
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Leonard Bernstein, Capital City Theatre and Madison Ballet are collaborating on a revival of the 1944 musical On the Town. The iconic tale of World War II soldiers on leave features unforgettable tunes such as “New York, New York,” and a playful book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
7:30 pm on 5/30-31, 2 & 7:30 pm on 6/1 and 2 pm, 6/2
For Groups of 10 or more, please contact the Overture Center Ticket Office at (608) 258-4141
press release: In celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th Birthday, Capital City Theatre, in collaboration with Madison Ballet, presents the musical, On the Town, May 30 – June 2 at the Capitol Theater at Overture Center for the Arts.
An instant hit on Broadway when it debuted in 1944, On the Town tells the story of three young sailors who debark for their one day of shore leave in New York City. The Big Apple inspires dreams of adventure and fun as Gabey, Chip and Ozzie long for romance and soon meet up with three feisty females who show them that sight-seeing is more than just museums and Central Park.
The cast includes local Madison performers as well as talent from New York, Chicago and Milwaukee. Rich in dance and a lush musical score that ranges from jazzy big band tunes to the classics, On the Town harkens back to the big Broadway productions of the 1940s. The show will be directed by Josh Walden who has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway and regionally. Andrew Abrams, Capital City Theatre’s Artistic Director, will lead a 25-piece local professional orchestra.
Abrams will stay true to the original show. “Capital City Theatre is thrilled to work in collaboration with the Madison Ballet on this incredible piece of musical theater,” says Abrams. “It’s not often these days that you can experience that golden age of musical theater when ballet, music and dialogue were given equal billing. This show will take you back to 1944 to hear the original orchestrations as they were intended: not reduced or re-orchestrated as they often are when shows are revived today.”
Founded in 2014, Capital City Theatre was voted the 2018 BroadwayWorld-Madison “Best Equity Theatre of the Year.” Previous productions include Hunchback of Notre Dame, Gypsy, Violet among others. As part of the Capital City Theatre Conservatory, former students will perform Carrie: The Musical based on the novel by Stephen King August 9-11, 2019.