City Center Encores! is Back

New York City Center Encores! is back.  These beloved short-run revivals of shows of the past are always a hot ticket. They may be billed as a book-in-hand concerts, however, you hardly ever actually see a book in anyone's hand and you never feel like you are getting less than a full production. The shows attract top-level talent. Kelly O'Hara, Santino Fontana,  Christina Borle, and Sutton Foster are only a small sampling of the performers who have appeared in Encores! shows. This year's lineup includes Joshua Henry, Sarah Bareilles, and Ashley Park. 

Although, sets for Encores! shows are minimal, the sound is incredible. The scores are played by a full orchestra which is more than you can say for most Broadway shows these days. The sound is so beautiful that a number of scores from the series shows have been released as recordings available for purchase including Babes in Arms, Face the Music, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. 

There have also been several productions that have moved on to Broadway runs. They include The Apple Tree, Finian's Rainbow, and Chicago. The latter of which is now the longest-running American musical on Broadway.

This year's Encores! line-up includes the just completed The Tap Dance Kid. This 1980s musical about a young boy who just wants to dance originally starred an incredible array of young talent many of whom went on to even greater acclaim. They include Alfonso Riberio, the original star; Savion Glover, his understudy who eventually took over the role; and Dule Hill, who starred on the tour of the show. Alexander Bello who appeared in this most recent version is beginning to make a name for himself as well as he has already appeared in three Broadway shows including the recent Caroline or Change revival.

The next Encores! show to be presented will be The Life. This 1990s musical about the darker side of the Times Square area in the time before it all became family-friendly will be directed by Billy Porter. It will star among others Mykal Gilgore, Ledisi, and Ken Robinson. It will run from March 16 through 20.

The final show of the season will be Into the Woods. Performers will include Sara Bareilles, Christian Borle, and Heather Headley. This show will have a special two-week run from May 4 through May 15 and includes a special opening night gala where patrons can celebrate at a festive opening night dinner with the cast and crew.

For more information about Encores! in general, this season's lineup of shows and/or to purchase tickets to either or both of the remaining shows in the season, visit www.nycitycenter.org We will also be posting more about these shows and/or other Encores! shows in future More Theater Mondays. Theater Thursdays, Still More Theater Saturdays and/or Sunday Scoops.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.